SYDNEY -Qantas continues to blur the lines between its mainline product and its low-cost offshoot, Jetstar.
In the latest move to scratch better yield from its operations, Qantas will introduce new fees for emergency exit row seats on long-haul overseas flights.
“This will give customers greater choice and access to seats that offer more leg room. A similar service is offered by many other airlines,” an airline spokesperson said in a statement.
The airline is expected to charge consumers A$80 for shorter flights and $160 for longer flights.
Qantas has also revealed it will remove first-class from three of its long-haul routes in the face of falling demand for top-end travel.
The airline will not sell first-class fares for the Sydney-Buenos Aires route as well as Sydney-San Francisco and Melbourne-Hong Kong-London between July 6 and October 31.
In a statement, Qantas executive manager Rob Gurney said the airline had been experiencing reduced demand in its premium cabins.
“Qantas will monitor the demand on these routes carefully and aims to reintroduce our first class offering as soon as possible,” he said.
The Mole wonders how long it will be before Qantas folds its operations into those of Jetstar and replaces the Flying Kangaroo on its tail with a quokka, the small marsupial found on Rottnest Island off the coast of Perth in Western Australia.
Quokka Airways, the Spirit of Australia, coming soon to an airport near you…
