Australia’s flag carrier, Qantas has made a significant stride towards modernizing its widebody fleet by placing an order for twelve (12) Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Boeing and the Qantas Group revealed the airline’s decision to invest in four (04) Boeing B787-9 and eight (08) B787-10 airplanes. This move aligns with Qantas’ ambitious global growth strategy aimed at curbing carbon emissions and enhancing fuel efficiency.
The 787 Dreamliner series, known for its remarkable fuel efficiency and environmental performance, has been chosen by Qantas as a pivotal component of its strategy to reduce carbon emissions over the coming decade. By adopting these aircraft, the airline aims to achieve up to a 25% reduction in fuel consumption and emissions, while also benefiting from quieter engines compared to its previous fleet.
“This is another multi-billion-dollar investment in the national carrier, and it’s great news for our customers and our people. The 787 and the GE engines fitted to them, are thoroughly proven and extremely capable,” according to Alan Joyce, Qantas Group CEO.
One of the standout features of the 787 is its adaptability to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), offering a tangible pathway to emission reduction. Qantas’ latest order is a significant milestone within the airline’s comprehensive fleet renewal initiative, contributing substantially to its annual increase in overall fuel efficiency.
The capabilities of the 787 family empower Qantas to broaden its international route network, enabling the establishment of new routes and the augmentation of existing ones. Notably, the 787-9 variant can effortlessly cover distances of up to 7,565 nautical miles (approximately 14,010 km), facilitating connections between Australia, North America, and Europe. The larger 787-10, boasting a range of 6,330 nautical miles (around 11,730 km), positions the airline to efficiently serve popular international and regional routes. This new order supplements Qantas’ existing fleet of 14 787-9 jets.
“With its market-leading environmental performance, the 787 Dreamliner is central to Qantas’ unwavering commitment to operate one of the most sustainable and capable fleets in the airline industry. Both the 787-9 and 787-10 offer enhanced efficiency, flexibility and passenger comfort to connect Australia and destinations around the world,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
Boeing, a global leader in aerospace, holds a reputation for developing, manufacturing and servicing commercial airplanes, defense systems, and space products for customers across 150 countries. As a major contributor to the U.S. export market, the company harnesses the capabilities of its diverse global supplier network to advance economic opportunities, promote sustainability, and drive positive community impacts. Grounded in its core values of safety, quality, and integrity, Boeing’s dedicated team is steadfastly committed to innovation for a brighter future.