Leading the way in long-haul travelAs part of our commitment to serving large markets with point-to-point connections, 12 new A350-1000ULRs aircraft will be added to the fleet from late 2025.
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Dubbed 'Project Fysh', in recognition of airline co-founder Sir Hudson Fysh, Qantas will replace the aging Airbus A330s with a new fleet of Boeing 787 and Airbus A350-1000 jets. The mixed-fleet order includes 24 firm orders – four Boeing 787-9, eight Boeing 787-10 and 12 Airbus A350-1000s.
Qantas is upgrading its A380s with new business class seats and lounges. “But as part of the pipeline we're building, I can announce they will be replaced by the Airbus A350 from about FY32 onwards.”
Aerodynamics. Talking of the wings, they play a massive part in the aerodynamic gains in the A350 design. What makes them so special is the way they've been designed to morph in flight, changing shape for maximum aerodynamic efficiency throughout the different phases of the journey.
The multi-billion dollar order is split between 12 Airbus A350s and 12 Boeing 787s, which will arrive from fiscal 2027 and into the next decade, Qantas said. As a part of the deals, Qantas will gain access to up to 500 million litres of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) per annum which would start to flow from 2028.
Qantas has opted to buy 12 787-10s and -9s and 12 more A350s to replace its A330 and A380 aircraft. The multi-billion dollar order is split between 12 Airbus A350s and 12 Boeing 787s arriving from FY27 into the next decade.
Qantas will begin to retire its fleet of Airbus A330 aircraft from July 2027, with the A380 superjumbo following it out the door five years later, as the final piece in its fleet renewal program which will see the jets replaced by fuel-efficient Airbus A350-1000 and a mix of Boeing 787 aircraft models.
A total of 251 Airbus A380s were built and delivered for civil aviation. How many A380s are still flying? As of May 2023, about 130 A380s are in service - but several airlines plan to reactivate more aircraft during the year.
While the 777X offers unrivalled dimensions, advanced materials, and cutting-edge engine technology, the A350 shines with its lightweight composite airframe, advanced aerodynamics, and superior fuel efficiency.
The Bottom Line: The Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-9 are very similar aircraft, suited for similar missions. As one would expect, the slightly larger A350-900 has a seat-mile cost advantage, while the 787-9 has an advantage in cost per block hour. These aircraft are competitive, and nearly tie in economic performance.