During the summer months Qantas has decided to withdraw first class from three long-haul routes owing to the downturn in traffic.
According to the industry publication Air Transport World, Qantas will not offer a first class cabin between July 6 and October 31 on flights between Sydney, San Francisco and Buenos Aires in addition to its Melbourne-Hong Kong-London service.
First class availability on these three Qantas routes has now been withdrawn from airline booking systems between the above dates.
The decision to withdraw first class between London and Melbourne on flights QF29 and QF30 will impact on those travellers using Qantas as an alternative to British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantic and Air New Zealand between London and Hong Kong.
Qantas expects to operate its B747-400s on the London-Hong Kong-Melbourne route with the existing business, premium economy and economy seating. It's not clear whether first class will remain empty or whether Qantas will accommodate some of its favoured business class passengers in the premium cabin with the more spacious seating (but with business class catering and so on) at no extra cost.
For more information visit qantas.com.au.
Report by Alex McWhirter
