Qantas ready to take delivery of first A380

SYDNEY (September 19, 2008) – Qantas confirmed today that its first Airbus A380 aircraft would arrive in Sydney at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 21.
The executive general manager of Qantas Mr. John Borghetti said the aircraft would be formally delivered to the airline at a special ceremony at Airbus’ headquarters in Toulouse, France tonight, Friday September 19, local time.

“The Qantas A380 will redefine the long-haul, air-travel experience and offer passengers greater levels of space, comfort, innovation and style,” Mr. Borghetti said. “Working with Qantas creative director Marc Newson, we have reinvented our international flying product – from spacious suites in First Class; a new, fully-flat Skybed in Business; to a brand new Premium Economy cabin and the use of the latest technology in the manufacture of an all-new
Economy Class seat.”

The Qantas A380 will be configured with 450 seats in four cabins – 14 in First Class, 72 in Business Class, 32 in Premium Economy and 332 in Economy Class.
On arrival in Sydney, the aircraft will be officially welcomed into the airline’s fleet in front of 3,000 Qantas employees and their families.
It will then undergo a program of flight training and ground activities ahead of its first commercial services – from Melbourne to Los Angeles on Monday, October 20 and from Sydney to Los Angeles on Friday, October 24.

Prior to touching down at Sydney Airport on Sunday, the Qantas A380 will fly over Sydney Harbor between 8:15 a.m. and 8:50 a.m. The flight path will depend on prevailing weather conditions.