Qantas 85th birthday celebrations

Qantas is planning a range of activities this week to celebrate its 85th birthday.

The Chief Executive Officer of Qantas, Mr Geoff Dixon, said that as a company that respected its history, Qantas was looking forward to reaching such a significant milestone on Wednesday, 16 November.

“For an airline to survive 85 years, let alone prosper and grow, is a remarkable feat, particularly when you consider the more recent historical events of global aviation.

“We are proud of what has been accomplished by generations of Qantas people over the past 85 years, taking us from a small outback flying operation to one of the world’s most successful airlines,” Mr Dixon said.

He said the week’s celebrations included:

* a visit to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane by the world’s largest passenger jet, the Airbus A380 on its first trip outside Europe, which was attracting interest from people from all over Australia;

* the Qantas birthday dinner in Brisbane on Tuesday, 15 November, hosted by Chairman Margaret Jackson for 600 guests from all over the world, including corporate customers, political figures, frequent flyers, media and staff, with special guest and Qantas Ambassador, John Travolta;

* a million dollar seat sale, with low fares on sale between 12 and 28 November for international and domestic flights;

* the publication of a special commemorative book, I Still Call Australia Home – the Qantas Story 1920-2005, on sale from mid-November;

* a special 85th Birthday promotion offering Qantas passengers the chance to win a trip to both Longreach – the birthplace of Qantas – and Toulouse, the home of the A380;

* a range of special edition merchandise, including clothing and historical postcards for sale at www.3pmarketing.com.au/qantas85thcollection;

* an historical mini-site on qantas.com, including an interactive time line with highlights of the Qantas story;

* a series of short historical vignettes as part of the airline’s inflight entertainment programming during November; and

* special inflight service on the 16th, including birthday cake or chocolates for every passenger.

Mr Dixon said Qantas had also arranged commemorative posters in major metropolitan newspapers on 16 November, which told the story of Qantas.

He said Qantas would also be supporting the Qantas Socceroos World Cup Qualifier match on the date of its birthday, 16 November, arranging an appearance by John Travolta, a Boeing 747-400 flyover and a performance by the Australian Girls’ Choir.