Qantas Airlines Information
For travelers in Australia and the surrounding Pacific islands, it's hard to miss Qantas at the region's airports. The world's second-oldest airline, Qantas has been flying since 1920 and is far and away Oceania's largest carrier. The airline also ranks as the world's 13th largest carrier overall, according to ATW magazine, flying nearly 40 million passengers annually.
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History
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Qantas had a modest beginning in 1920. Started by two veteran war pilots, the airline began by flying bi-planes to destinations within Australia. Each flight could only carry one or two passengers.
Qantas gradually expanded throughout the decades, taking on more aircraft, mail carrying services and expanding their passenger services. The airline flew its first international flight in 1935, bringing 15 passengers to Singapore via bi-plane. During World War II, Qantas flights to the United Kingdom provided an important link between allied forces.
The carrier continued to expand service in the 1950s, introducing round-the-world flights and flights to the United States. The launch of the Boeing 747, at the time the world's largest commercial aircraft, helped to further cement Qantas's role as a worldwide airline.
Aircraft
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Qantas uses a number of different aircraft on domestic, international and long-haul journeys. As of 2010, the airline operates a fleet of nearly 250 aircraft, including 27 Boeing 747s.
The Boeing 747, Airbus A380 and the upcoming Boeing 787 form the cornerstone of Qantas's busy long-haul services. Smaller planes, including the Airbus A330, are used for shorter routes, with the turbo-prop Bombardier Q400 in use for journeys with fewer passengers.
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Destinations
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In 2010, Qantas flew to 173 destinations in 42 countries, both in Qantas jets and through code-share partners. Qantas operates many busy trans-oceanic routes, including flights to Los Angeles, New York and London, as well as numerous destinations throughout Asia. In addition, Qantas flies to over 20 destinations within Australia and New Zealand.
Awards
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Qantas is ranked as a four-star airline by Skytrax, an airline consultancy firm. The airline was also runner-up in Skytrax's Airline of the Year award in 2005 and 2006.
The carrier has also won awards for its on-board wine, seat design and in-flight entertainment.
Safety
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Qantas gained notoriety in the 1988 film "Rain Man," in which the lead character, Raymond, exclaims that Qantas has never crashed. As of 2010, Raymond is still correct--Qantas has never had any fatal crashes.
The airline has had several accidents, including an incidence of rapid decompression in 2008 that caused part of a Boeing 747's fuselage to be ripped away; however, that plane landed safely after being diverted to Manila.
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References
- Photo Credit australia image by Orlando Florin Rosu from Fotolia.com
