Qantas to Fly Direct Perth-London in 17 Hours With Dreamliner

Published

7 years ago

December 13, 2016

– Shortest and fastest version of the Kangaroo Route in its 70 year history
– First direct link between Australia and Europe, using WA as a hub
– Qantas Dreamliner designed to offer improved comfort on long haul flights

Qantas is set to add to its list of aviation firsts, with the national carrier confirming it will operate non-stop flights from Perth to London using the 787-9 Dreamliner.

The 14,498 kilometre service will be the first regular passenger service to directly link Australia with Europe when it begins in March 2018.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the history-making route would be a watershed for travel, tourism and trade.

“When Qantas created the Kangaroo Route to London in 1947, it took four days and nine stops. Now it will take just 17 hours from Perth non-stop.

“This is a game-changing route flown by a game-changing aircraft. Australians have never had a direct link to Europe before, so the opportunities this opens up are huge.

“It’s great news for travellers because it will make it easier to get to London. It’s great news for Western Australia because it will bring jobs and tourism. And it’s great news for the nation, because it will bring us closer to one of our biggest trade partners and sources of visitors.”

Mr Joyce said passenger comfort on the long flight was a key consideration.

“When we designed the interior of our 787s, we wanted to make sure passengers would be comfortable on the extended missions the aircraft was capable of.

“That’s why we have features in our Economy seats that other airlines reserve for Premium Economy. Our Business Suite has been nicknamed ‘mini First class’ by many of our frequent flyers. And we’re redesigning our on-board service to help reduce jetlag,” he added.

The enhanced Qantas cabin design is in addition to the comfort factors that Boeing built in to the Dreamliner – improved air quality, lower cabin noise and technology to reduce turbulence.

Mr Joyce said the direct route is expected to appeal to travellers on the East Coast as well as West Australians, helping to deliver a tourism boost.

“A direct flight makes travelling to Australia a much more attractive proposition to millions of people. We expect many travellers from Europe will start their time in Australia with a visit to Perth before going on to see other parts of the country.

“Our modelling shows that people from the East Coast as well as South Australia would fly domestically to Perth to connect to our non-stop London service. Some will take the opportunity to break their journey, whether it’s for business meetings in Perth, to holiday or to visit family.”

The new flight will operate through Qantas’ existing domestic terminals (T3/4), which will be upgraded to accommodate international flights. The airline’s current international services from Perth (to Singapore and to Auckland) will also move to this terminal, helping to simplify the journey for thousands of people every year. Qantas will move its operations to an expanded Terminal 1 at Perth Airport by 2025, pending a commercial agreement.

“We’ll be looking at the timing of our domestic flights through Perth to offer the best connections we can to our international flights, particularly given they will all be under the one roof,” added Mr Joyce.

“I’d like to acknowledge the support of the West Australian Government and Perth Airport in helping make this service a reality.”

Seats on the Perth-London flights will go on sale in April 2017 for the first services in March 2018. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners used on the route will carry 236 passengers across Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins.

FAST FACTS – PERTH TO LONDON

– The 14,498km flight will take approximately 17 hours (slightly more or less depending on winds).
– When it launches, is expected to be the third-longest passenger flight in the world.
– Longest flight on the Qantas network, followed by our non-stop A380 Sydney-Dallas service (13,730km).
– Will be the longest Boeing Dreamliner flight in the world.
– The first regular passenger service from Australia to Europe adds to Qantas’ list of flying firsts, including:

o First passenger jet services across the Pacific in 1959 with a B707.
o First (and only) non-stop passenger flight from London to Sydney in 1989 with a B747-400.
o First to operate the world’s largest passenger aircraft (A380) on the world’s longest route (Sydney-Dallas) in 2014.

– Perth was also used as a stopover on flights to London between the 1940s and 1960s.
– In 2015, Qantas operated a one-off B747-400 charter flight from Perth to Istanbul to take Australians to the Centenary of Anzac at Gallipoli – the last time the national carrier flew from Australia to Europe non-stop

Aerospace

Comparison between F-35A and F-15Ex

Published

16 hours ago

September 29, 2023

Sana khan

The F-35A and the F-15EX are both advanced aircraft developed by renowned aerospace companies, Lockheed Martin and Boeing respectively. Each aircraft boasts a distinct set of features and capabilities, making them well-suited for specific roles within modern air warfare. Let’s compare these two remarkable aircraft in terms of their primary functions, specifications, capabilities, and support.

Indonesia Announces Commitment to Acquire Boeing F-15EX(Opens in a new browser tab)

Primary Functions & costs

The F-35A, designed jointly by Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, has a wide range of primary roles. It excels at stealthy, all-weather strike missions, close air support, air superiority, maritime strike, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and command and control operations. Its estimated price is roughly $80 million, with a flying cost per hour of less than $24,000, and its anticipated procurement is for 2025.

On the other hand, The F-15EX, developed by Boeing, serves as a cutting-edge aircraft with primary functions focused on air superiority and targeted strikes in less or uncontested airspace. Its estimated price is roughly $80.3 million, with a flying cost per hour of less than $27,000, and its anticipated procurement is for 2025.

specifications

The F-35 A is a single-seater aircraft with impressive characteristics that is Equipped with a powerful Pratt & Whitney F135 engine. It can fly with a maximum takeoff weight of 65,918 lb (29,900 kg), with a fuel capacity of 18,250 lb. The aircraft measures 51.4 ft (15.7 m) in length, 35 ft (11 m) in wingspan, and 14.4 ft (4.4 m) in height. It has a combat radius of 670 miles and a top speed of Mach 1.6 at altitude. The service ceiling of the F-35A is 50,000 feet.

F-15 offers flexibility with a crew capacity of 1 or 2 individuals and is Powered by 2 General Electric F110-GE-129 engines. The maximum takeoff weight is an impressive 81,000 pounds (37,000 kg), supported by a fuel capacity of 13,550 lb. The aircraft spans 63.8 ft (19.446 m) in length, with a wingspan of 42.8 ft and a height of 18.5 ft (5.64 m). It achieves a maximum speed of Mach 2.5 at altitude and has a combat radius of 1,100 miles, with a service ceiling of 60,000 ft.

Radar cross-section & Weaponry

The F-35 A design is robust; in contrast to its 8,000-hour design life, its service life has been evaluated to reach 24,000 hours. The F-35A has an extremely low radar cross-section, at 3.8mm, which reduces its radar profile. It can transport a range of US and NATO air-to-air and ground weaponry, with an internal weight capacity of 5,700 pounds in stealth mode and 22,000 pounds in exterior “beast mode,” including a 25mm cannon.

US approves sale of 35 F-35A fighters to Germany for $8.4 billion(Opens in a new browser tab)

The F-15EX has a design life of 8,000 hours, although testing over 30,000 hours has shown it to be robust. It is relatively large on radar compared to the F-35 A due to its greatest radar cross-section of 42.8 feet. With a total weight of 29,500 pounds distributed among nine external stations, the aircraft is equipped with all US air-to-air and ground armaments, including a 20mm cannon.

Major differences from Earlier Versions

Multiple software and processor updates have been made to the F-35A. Progress includes improved weapon capability and electronic warfare systems. The current version, known as Block 3F baseline, is moving towards Block 4, with software and weapon improvements planned twice yearly in 2024.

The F-15 has undergone advancements since 2001, including the addition of digital fly-by-wire technology, enhanced display coding, and Suite 9 avionics. With a passive-active Warner survivability system, its cockpit display is similar to that of the T-x trainer and Eagle trainer.

Congressional support

Major constituencies like Texas, California, Georgia, and Florida have been vocal in their support for production, demonstrating the congressional leadership’s backing. In Utah, Arizona, and Nevada, notable bases and installations house or support the F-35A. In order to demonstrate its broad reach, Lockheed has distributed F-35 subcontracts to all 50 states.

Regions in Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, and Washington are actively supporting production, which has significant congressional support. North Carolina, Oregon, and Georgia all have significant institutions that support F-15 operations. Boeing’s wide influence is evident, with business conducted in all 50 states.

Boeing Integrates Eagle Passive Active Warning and Survivability System onto U.S. Air Force F-15s(Opens in a new browser tab)

In conclusion, while both the F-35A and the F-15EX are cutting-edge innovations in military aircraft, they excel in different domains. The F-15EX is a strong option for uncontested airspace situations due to its focus on air superiority and focused strikes, remarkable performance, and cost-effectiveness. While the F-35A’s stealth capabilities and versatile design make it suitable for a variety of tasks. Both are remarkable aircraft with their own strengths and capabilities, catering to different mission profiles and strategic objectives.

Airlines

These are the airlines with Four-Star and Five-Star APEX ratings for 2024.

Published

5 days ago

September 25, 2023

Sana khan

These are the Airlines with Four and Five-Star APEX Ratings for 2024

In the ever-evolving world of aviation, these awards stand as a testament to excellence, innovation, and outstanding service within the airline industry. As travelers around the globe seek ever more personalized and remarkable experiences, these airlines have risen to the occasion, setting new standards for quality, comfort, and customer satisfaction.

World class airline awards 2022 by Apex(Opens in a new browser tab)

The APEX Five Star and Four Star Airline Awards were unique since they were created solely from verified passenger reviews submitted by more than a million fliers using TripIt.

Global Passenger Choice airline Award Winners 2022 by Apex.(Opens in a new browser tab)

Here, we’ve highlighted some of the 2024 Apex Four-Star and Five-Star Airlines Awards, recognizing these airline giants and the outstanding traveler experiences they provide. Whether you are a frequent traveler or only sometimes do so, these awards highlight the airlines who have changed the definition of what it means to fly in luxury and grace.

REGIONAL AIRLINE FIVE STAR*

GLOBAL AIRLINES FOUR STAR

British Airways
Ethiopian
Polish Airlines
Malaysia Airlines
Pakistan International Airlines
South African Airways
Thai Airways International

MAJOR ‎AIRLINES FOUR STAR

Aegean Airlines
AirEuropa
Avianca
flydubai
Royal Jordanian
SriLankan Airlines

Source

Airlines

Top 10 Most Internationally Connected Airports in North America

Published

1 week ago

September 22, 2023

Sana khan

Top 10 Most Internationally Connected Airports in North America

In an increasingly interconnected world, airports serve as the gateways to global exploration, commerce, and connectivity. North America, with its diverse cultures and booming economies, is home to some of the most internationally connected airports on the planet. These airports not only cater to millions of domestic travelers but also facilitate seamless international travel, making them pivotal hubs for cross-border journeys.

Saudi Arabia announces plans for a six-runway hub airport in Riyadh.(Opens in a new browser tab)

In this article, we’ll utilize OAG data to unveil the Top 10 Most Internationally Connected Airports in North America. Whether you’re a frequent flyer seeking convenient transit choices or a globe-trotting traveler, this list will be your go-to reference for the most globally connected airports on this dynamic continent.

Top 10 world’s most internationally connected airports(Opens in a new browser tab)

Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) holds the 2nd spot in this year’s Megahubs Index, with a notable presence of United Airlines flights. Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) in Canada ranks 3rd, boasting Air Canada as the dominant carrier. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) secures the 4th position, primarily due to Delta Air Lines’ extensive international network.