Qantas to remove two-thirds of its First class seating on long-haul fleet

Qantas reportedly plans to reduce First Class seating, as part of its AUD400 million long-haul fleet reconfiguration programme (Australian Financial Review, 01-Feb-2010). Under the programme, the carrier will operate 12 A380 aircraft with First class seats (eight will have no First Class) and remove the cabin on its B747-400s. First Class will reportedly only be available on Sydney-Los Angeles or Sydney-London via Singapore routes in future. Qantas stated it is currently in talks with manufacturers, but it is too early to provide details of the alterations. Full details are to be announced in 1Q2010. [more - Perspective]