Qantas has announced plans to speed up the refurbishment its 16 Boeing 767 aircraft.
The first of the revamped B767s commenced flying on domestic routes today, with new interiors and the iPad-based ‘QStreaming’ in-flight entertainment system. The last aircraft is scheduled to be upgraded by the end of March 2013, completing the project six months earlier than originally planned.
“We have fast tracked this project to improve the flying experience on these 16 aircraft,” said Qantas Domestic’s CEO, Lyell Strambi. “The works on each aircraft take approximately two weeks to be completed and will be done in our Brisbane maintenance facilities.
“Following the successful trial of our QStreaming service this year, we are partnering with Panasonic to provide over 200 hours of on-demand IFE content via iPads to every passenger in business and economy travelling on our fleet of refurbished B767 aircraft. We will also refresh the fleet’s cabin interiors with a contemporary design that includes leather seat covers in business and a new look and feel in the economy cabin. Other enhancements include new carpet, lighting, curtains and dividers.
“Our customers were the first in the world to experience the ground-breaking Wi-Fi entertainment technology and we received great feedback from our customers during the trial this year,” he added.
Qantas’ wide-body domestic fleet is made up of B767s and Airbus A330s. The A330 fleet will be expanded over the next few years, gradually replacing the B767s until their eventual retirement in 2015.
