Qantas announced (24-Apr-2018) an update to its international network in response to demand and to better utilise its fleet as follows:
- US:
- Qantas' last remaining Boeing 747 service operating to Los Angeles will be replaced by a combination of A380 and 787-9 aircraft from 03-Dec-2018;
- Los Angeles: From 04-Dec-2018, the Tuesday Sydney-Los Angeles 747 service (QF11/12) will be replaced with an A380, providing daily A380 service to Los Angeles from both Sydney and Melbourne. Seasonal twice weekly Sydney-Los Angeles service (QF17/18) will be operated by an A380 during the Dec-2018/Jan-2019 peak;
- Honolulu: Sydney-Honolulu service (QF3/4) will be increased during the holiday peak, from 07-Dec-2018 until Easter, by more than 300 seats each week. A330-300 aircraft that normally operate on this route will be upgauged to a 747;
- San Francisco: From 17-Dec-2018, an additional Sydney-San Francisco frequency (QF73/74) with a 747 will be added, for daily operation on the route;
- Dallas Fort Worth: From 04-Feb-2019, Sydney-Dallas/Fort Worth service (QF7/8) will be reduced to six times per week on an A380;
- Asia: Qantas will adjust capacity in Asia to better match demand by:
- Offering an additional A330 service between Sydney and Osaka (QF33/34) from 07-Dec-2018, increasing the service which began in Dec-2017, to four times weekly;
- From 28-Oct-2018, adding a Tuesday A330 service between Sydney and Manila (QF19/20) for daily operation;
- From 28-Oct-2018, reducing Sydney-Beijing service (QF107/108) to five times weekly, removing frequency on lower demand days of Tuesday and Thursday.
Qantas stated: "The adjustments to our international network are part of our strategy of making the best use of our fleet and matching demand by having the right aircraft, on the right route, at the right time. We're already seeing strong demand for the end of year holiday period on our services to Los Angeles and Osaka, so we expect the extra capacity to be well received". [more - original PR]