Qantas Adds Another A380 To Hong Kong

Qantas is adding another Airbus A380 service to its Sydney to Hong Kong route, one of several operational changes it has scheduled.

The airline currently deploys the superjumbo on the route four times per week. From November 4, this will increase to five times weekly.

From December 2, the airline's Brisbane to Los Angeles route will be served daily by a Boeing 747-400, up from six times weekly.

Qantas will start a new seasonal route from Perth to Auckland between December 6 and February 1, to be operated by an A330 twice per week.

The carrier is also retiming its existing Sydney to Christchurch service so that it connects with more international services from Sydney and complements the existing Emirates service on this route.

From October 27, the return Christchurch to Sydney flight will arrive in Sydney at 0850, instead of 1555. The Qantas code will be available on an Emirates flight from Christchurch, which leaves at 1655 to arrive in Sydney at 1815. And the code will also available on Jetstar flight from Christchurch, which leaves at 0635 to arrive in Sydney at 0805.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said: "We're able to make these changes by simply using our existing assets better.

"For instance, the new seasonal Perth to Auckland service uses an A330 that would otherwise be on the ground over the weekend.

"The Qantas Group is serious about Asia and we've already increased capacity to Hong Kong by ten per cent this year. As well as adding almost five per cent more seats per week on this route, the aircraft swap will increase the amount of flying done by our flagship A380 fleet into Asia.

"Our Brisbane to Los Angeles service is a strong performer and upgrading it to daily will improve the travel options for customers heading to the United States from Queensland, which has great links to our domestic and regional networks.