Qantas has a total of eight Boeing 787-9 aircraft on order, and they’ll be taking delivery of their first of these in the coming months. To say that they’ve hyped this plane to no end would be a real understatement, as they’ve teased out every little update about the new plane separately, from their new premium economy to their new business class to the details of their first new route with the plane.
I guess I can’t blame them for the hype, since Qantas otherwise hasn’t done much to refresh their fleet in the past few years, so for them this really is exciting.
As of March 24, 2018, Qantas will be adding a daily nonstop flight between Perth and London using the 787, which will be the first nonstop flight between Europe and Australia. However, that won’t even be their first longhaul 787 route. Instead, as of December 15, 2017, Qantas will be operating the new plane 6x weekly between Melbourne and Los Angeles. While the plane as such isn’t much to get excited about, it does feature Qantas’ new business class product, which is more private than what they currently offer on routes to the US (though many point out that the current product is less claustrophobic).
Anyway, if you want the chance to try Qantas’ new business class without having to even leave Australia, @airlineroute notes that Qantas has scheduled some domestic 787 flights (within Australia) for before the plane flies internationally. It’s normal for airlines to run domestic routes with a new plane type before it makes its debut internationally. This is so that crews can be trained on the plane.
Qantas has scheduled the 787 on domestic routes between November 6 and December 14, 2017, as follows:
QF775 Melbourne to Perth [Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri]
QF769 Melbourne to Perth [Sun]
QF772 Perth to Melbourne [Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri]
QF776 Perth to Melbourne [Sun]
QF442 Melbourne to Sydney [Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri]
QF460 Melbourne to Sydney [Sat]
QF439 Sydney to Melbourne [Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri]
QF497 Sydney to Melbourne [Sat]
Officially the aircraft type on the above flights still shows as the A330, though the seatmap reflects the 787. The 787 has 42 business class seats, and then the seatmap will show 194 economy seats (in this case they’re selling premium economy as economy).
Do keep in mind that this is still subject to change. Delays are common when airlines take delivery of a new plane, so while I believe this is the schedule as of now, there’s always a chance it will change.
If you do want to book these routes, it’s tough to beat the value of redeeming British Airways Avios for them, as award availability is excellent. You can fly from Melbourne to Sydney in business class for just 9,000 Avios one-way.
If you want to take the longer flight from Melbourne to Perth, that will cost you 20,000 Avios one-way in business class.
Bottom line
Everyone can decide for themselves how much it’s worth chasing a particular aircraft. In this case, the 787-9 is hardly a new plane. Furthermore, the 787 business class product isn’t that different than the A330 business class product that’s usually available on the above flights.
However, if you want to be one of the first to try Qantas’ new 787 business class, then the above flights should be a great opportunity to do so.
Is anyone considering taking one of these domestic Qantas 787 flights?
@MACH81 those are in USD but I'm sure there are even cheaper fares than that. its true that Qatar often has cheap fares but they are few and far apart, and also extremely volatile. the delta one on the a350 is a deal in my opinion because flying the ICN-DTW segment alone can cost around 7000 USD one-way, whereas just adding the DTW-JFK segment can reduce the ticket price by ~5000 USD. Also, flying from...
@MACH81 those are in USD but I'm sure there are even cheaper fares than that. its true that Qatar often has cheap fares but they are few and far apart, and also extremely volatile. the delta one on the a350 is a deal in my opinion because flying the ICN-DTW segment alone can cost around 7000 USD one-way, whereas just adding the DTW-JFK segment can reduce the ticket price by ~5000 USD. Also, flying from PER-LHR in Qantas direct can set you back USD 4500, whereas adding the AKL-MEL-PER part you save USD 2000. I know Qatar has a superior product and lower prices but for anyone who wants to fly with these carriers and those specific routes I'm just saying it isn't necessary to pay so much money when they can go for a whole lot less.
@BRUCE are those US $ or NZD? Cuz I don't see it as a deal in Either currency in nzd let alone $! QR has often RT fares in that range and it's a superior product and service!
lucky, if ever you're traveling on a paid fare, the best place to look is skyscanner.com
I have seen displayed on their website AKL-MEL-PER-LHR (obviously to try out the 787) for as low as $2500 one-way (selected dates in July of next year) in BUSINESS CLASS. in my opinion this is a steal. also, traveling from ICN-DTW-JFK in Delta One on the a350 for $2000 one way is also incredibly cheap (considering the new...
lucky, if ever you're traveling on a paid fare, the best place to look is skyscanner.com
I have seen displayed on their website AKL-MEL-PER-LHR (obviously to try out the 787) for as low as $2500 one-way (selected dates in July of next year) in BUSINESS CLASS. in my opinion this is a steal. also, traveling from ICN-DTW-JFK in Delta One on the a350 for $2000 one way is also incredibly cheap (considering the new fee for traveling on the Delta A350). you should check it out
What's economy ike?
Oh nice I'm on QF 775 on Nov 20 so i can see if the hypes worth it.
I have flown this business class before and also the 787 so i think ill nap on the flight due to the early start.
I'm not a fan of the plane and I've been in business and First on jal ba aa
Not sure what the fuss is jal should be jail
Business class was totally uncomfortable with our legs in a really weird position
Overrated
Or 25000 Alaska miles plus $5.60.
MEL to PER in Biz for 20K Avios would be my pick. Long enough to enjoy.