IN BRIEF | Qantas has firmed up a three-year old order for the Airbus A320neo with 99 of the next-generation jets due for delivery between 2016 and 2022.
Although the planes are intended for low-cost sibling Jetstar, Qantas has not ruled out drafting A320neos into its domestic fleet, which is currently built around the Boeing 737-800.
The order follows Air New Zealand's order for up to ten A320neo and three A321neo aircraft to sharpen the Kiwi carrier's competitive edge against Qantas on the trans-Tasman market.
The A320neo family uses high-efficiency engines with refined aerodynamics – including new wingtip designs – to deliver a claimed 15 percent saving on fuel, along with lower operating costs and reduced noise.
Airbus expects the A320neo's first test flight in September this year, with delivery to the first customer towards the end of 2015.
The aircraft manufacturer has also tweaked the cabin layout of the A321neo to add an extra 20 seats in a standard all-economy design, although Airbus A320neo executive Klaus Roewe maintains this is not just about "putting more sardines in the can."
Read more: Jetstar delays Airbus orders until 2022
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David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Cathay Pacific - The Marco Polo Club
19 Apr 2014
Total posts 50
Why are new planes being given to jetstar again?
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
19 Mar 2014
Total posts 26
Budget airline travellers are very discering and expect only the newest aircraft for their travels, there also very loyal and don't cross shop other airlines ;)
30 Aug 2013
Total posts 437
Agreed - aircraft type and age are the only factors JQ passengers care about - price is irrelevant.
Yet another foolish decision by QF.
07 Feb 2013
Total posts 19
Sigh, my thought exactly. It really is hard to stay loyal to Qantas when they keep doing this...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2199
There is some perverse logic I've worked out - bear with me.
LCC passengers want the lowest fares, so Jetstar needs the lowest operating costs in order to provide the lowest fares. In order to do this, they need the newest aircraft.
Because Qantas has higher fares, it can afford older aircraft that are more expensive to operate.
That out of the way, I'd love to see the A320neo family in the QF fleet.
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 645
just a note...QF are taking delivery of another 5 738BSI aircraft through to end 2014...their oldest 738 is only 12yrs old...and roughly 65% of the 738s are less than 12yrs old...they are still an efficient aircraft, and will be around for a few more years to come.
it's all relative
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 645
if QF not getting the initial deliveries of the NEOs influences your 'loyalty'...by all means..change carriers..no-one is stopping you
07 Feb 2013
Total posts 19
Gee thanks for that advice... hadn't thought of that
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 645
one good passive agressive comment...deserves another
happy flying everyone :-)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1374
With the current state of Jetsstar HK and Jetstar Japan, suspect its very likely some of these will end up with a red tail
30 Aug 2013
Total posts 437
This is a very misleading headline - it should read Jetstar amps up Airbus A320neo order.
04 Nov 2010
Total posts 670
The aircraft have been ordered by Qantas, not Jetstar. However as the article makes clear they will substantially and nominally be used by JQ.
08 Jul 2014
Total posts 13
I agree with underth's comment. Qantas has taken delivery of around 30 next gen 737-800s with Panasonic entertainment systems, in the last 5 years.
13 Mar 2014
Total posts 7
Very interesting....
QF hasn't said anything bout the 737MAX.... and that QF may "draft" the NEO between the years of 2016 -2022. I wonder with all the QF job cuts, selling assets etc... I reckon that next decade JQ will be absorbed into QF mainline no more orange stars but cheaper running costs for the new QF.
Qantas will never let its RED tail leave AUS, just make it cheaper.
Or switching from Boeing to Airbus....
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1242
For those who've flown both the B737NG and the A319/320/321, on full-service airlines, which do you prefer? My personal preference is influenced purely by aesthetics - I've always loved the distinct engine nacelles and tail of the B737.
Virgin Australia - Platinum
21 Dec 2012
Total posts 86
Agreed. The 737 is a better looker than the a320 although I like the row of the airbus engines used by jetstar.
Virgin Australia - Platinum
21 Dec 2012
Total posts 86
That should read roar not row of the engines
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2199
I find the 737 to be too sharp in the nose and I think the nacelles look pretty odd, though I admit the tail with root extension is quite nice (though the Q400 has that). I much prefer the A320 family, especially the slight additional width and the A321 just looks fabulous - it's like a widebody in style, but a narrowbody in being.
At the end of the day the difference is nominal, really. As long as it's the full-service narrowbody and not the LCC narrowbody, I'm happy. :P
15 Apr 2011
Total posts 3
And where does Allan Joyce think he is getting the money from for these aircraft !
He is cutting back on cost and cutting back on jobs and he still hasn't come out to tell the general public that Qantas is now $700 million to $1 Billion in the red ! You dont see him taking a pay cut nor the puppets on the board. He blow almost $30 Million on the release of the "New Uniform" which also included outting staff up in 5 star hotels, open tab meal & drinks, iPads. Mind you the uniforms fad and the quality is rubbish
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