Qatar Airways will introduce A380 aircraft to its daily service to Melbourne from June 30, 2017.
The introduction of the 517-seat superjumbo, replacing a B77-300, will increase the airline’s current capacity on the route by 44 per cent. Qatar Airways’ A380 features eight first class suites and 48 business class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration.
The service departs Doha at 2050 and lands in Melbourne at 1720 the following day for a total flight time of just over 13 hours.
The return flight takes off from Melbourne at 2205 and lands in Doha at 0525 the next morning for a total time of 14 hours, 20 minutes.
Melbourne became the first Australian destination for Qatar Airways in 2009.
Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker said: “We have seen a clear need to inject additional capacity on the Melbourne service. We are delighted to introduce our A380 aircraft to Melbourne after seven years of operation in the world’s most liveable city.”
Hannah Evans
