Scheduled Service To LAX Will Begin October 20

Australian flag carrier Qantas has received the first of 20 Airbus A380s it has on order, at a Friday evening ceremony in Toulouse, France.

The Rolls-Royce Trent 900-powered aircraft was handed over to Qantas CEO Geoff Dixon and Qantas CEO-Designate, Alan Joyce by Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO and John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers.

"When we ordered our A380 in 2000, we said that in addition to giving us the opportunity to reinvent our product, this revolutionary new aircraft offered capacity and operating savings, as well as environmental improvements," said Dixon. "Everything we have seen since our initial order has reinforced this view."

Dixon also strongly hinted his airline may add more A380s to its order... and, some A350XWB widebodies. "It was always our intention to grow the A380 fleet beyond 20," Qantas' CEO designate Alan Joyce said later to BusinessWeek.

Sporting a cabin created by designer Marc Newson, the first Qantas A380 sports seating for 450 passengers in three classes -- 75 fewer seats than the typical A380 configuration.

"The A380 sets the standards for the 21st century," said Enders. "More than 380 patents on board underline the aircraft's leadership in eco-efficiency and innovation and will allow Qantas to continue to grow whilst reducing its impact on the environment. We appreciate Australia's iconic airline sharing the A380 vision with us from the very beginning."

Qantas was the first customer to conclude the signing of a contract for the A380. In November 2000, it ordered 12 A380s, marking the first time in the airline’s long history it had ordered Airbus aircraft. Qantas later increased its order for A380s to 20, and is now the second largest customer for the superjumbo airliner.

Qantas’ A380 will stop-over in Singapore before arriving in Sydney on September 21. Qantas’ first commercial A380 services will be launched on October 20 from Melbourne to Los Angeles, and on October 24 from Sydney to Los Angeles. Qantas plans to later fly the A380 to Singapore and London.

FMI: www.qantas.com, www.airbus.com