Aviation

Qantas Reintroduces Airbus A380 Flights to Dallas/Fort Worth

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Qantas Airways has announced a series of updates to its international network, including the return of its iconic Airbus A380 to the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) route.

Starting August 11, 2025, Qantas will resume operating the A380 between Sydney (SYD) and DFW, reinstating a service that was paused during the pandemic. The route will follow the existing schedule, with QF7 departing Sydney at 12:10 PM and arriving in Dallas at 12:30 PM, and QF8 leaving Dallas at 10:40 PM to arrive back in Sydney at 6:55 AM, two days later.

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The airline’s decision to bring back the A380s comes as demand for long-haul travel continues to rise. While the fleet consists of 10 aircraft, not all have been reactivated since being grounded during the pandemic. Currently, Qantas also deploys its A380s on other major routes including Sydney to Johannesburg (JNB), London (LHR), Los Angeles (LAX), and Singapore (SIN).

In addition to the return of the A380, qantas airways has introduced new services and adjustments across its network. A new route from Brisbane (BNE) to Palau (ROR) has been launched, and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner has been reintroduced for flights between Brisbane and Los Angeles (LAX) as well as Auckland (AKL).

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Meanwhile, the airline has decided to discontinue its mainline service from Sydney to Seoul (ICN). Starting mid-June 2025, the route will be operated by Jetstar, Qantas’ low-cost subsidiary, which will increase the frequency from four flights per week to a daily service.

These changes come as Qantas looks to redeploy its mainline aircraft to other routes experiencing strong demand, qantas entertainment movie list with Qantas Group International CEO Mr. Cam Wallace noting the airline’s strategic adjustments to meet evolving travel patterns.

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.