Aviation

Australian regulator denies approval for Qantas-Japan Airlines deal

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Qantas and Japan Airlines (JAL) have expressed their disappointment at the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) decision to block the airlines’ plans to form a joint business that would have boosted the recovery of tourism when international borders reopen.

The airlines had sought approval from the ACCC in December 2020 to work more closely together to better serve customers travelling between Australia, New Zealand and Japan and ensure a faster and sustained recovery from COVID.

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As part of the agreement the airlines had proposed:

An expanded codeshare relationship to up to 29 destinations and better flight schedules between Australia, New Zealand and Japan.
A new direct route Cairns – Tokyo operated by Qantas.
Coordination of pricing, schedules, sales and tourism marketing supporting growth in key tourism markets.
Enhanced frequent flyer benefits and more premium travel opportunities for Qantas and JAL customers.
Qantas and JAL will continue their existing codeshare and oneworld partnership, which do not provide the same benefits than would have been possible under a joint business. Qantas and JAL have been partners in Jetstar Japan, one of the largest domestic low cost carriers in Japan, since 2012.

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Japan is the world’s third largest economy and one of Australia’s largest trade and investment partners. In 2019 half a million of its residents visited Australia, meaning it is one of the most important tourism and corporate markets as the recovery begins.

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Related Topics:JAL Japan Airlines (JAL)qantas

Aviation

Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating

Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.

This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.

One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.

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This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.

The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.

The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.

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In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.

Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.

With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.