Qantas has become the first airline to operate the Airbus A380 mega jumbo on a service across the Pacific.
The airline’s first A380 flight between Australia and the US west coast took off today from Melbourne bound for Los Angeles.
The first Sydney-Los Angeles flight by the 450-seat aircraft is due to take off on October 24.
The airline’s first A380 services to London, via Singapore, will start in January 2009, CEO Geoff Dixon confirmed.
He said Qantas would take delivery of three A380s by the end of the year, and have eight in service by the end of 2009. Its 20-strong order would be delivered by the end of 2013.
“By the end of 2009, when our eighth aircraft has been delivered, Qantas will offer daily A380 services to Los Angeles from Melbourne,†he said.
by Phil Davies
