Regular non-stop flights from Sydney to London only got much more likely: Qantas pilots say yes
30 March, 2020
Qantas pilots have given a raise to the Australian airline's plans to begin flying the world's longest flights by 2023 once they voted towards a pay deal for piloting the London to Sydney way.
The fact that they might vote towards the deal wasn't a given, with one sticking point reportedly the clause that says pilots should have the ability to fly several type of aircraft.
Job Sunrise is a proposal from Qantas to wide open non-stop providers to the Australian east coast from New York and London. Last year, the airline operated three test out flights between Sydney, NY and London. Passengers and crew exploring on the flights were tested to gather data on the effects of flying on ultra-long haul flights.
In line with the airline, 85 per cent of the air travel crew just lately voted towards the deal, which covers spend and working conditions to get pilots who will fly the 18 to 20 hour flights out of Australia to the UK. No further facts have already been released about the pay costs or shift times.
Qantas had previously told the Australian and International Pilots Association that it might set up a new employment entity to use these flights, if pilots didn't accept the brand new pay deal.
Coronavirus restrictions
As a result of coronavirus pandemic, Qantas features currently grounded all international flights and slash domestic services. That is set to perform until at least the end of May.
This implies movement on Project Sunrise is unlikely to happen in the near future. But acceptance from pilots permits Qantas to look at the next step, and that will be buying the aircraft which will fly its ultra-long haul services.
Test flights were at first carried out on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, but passenger load needed to be reduced. Qantas said in December that it had been considering Airbus' A350-1000 aircraft for the route.
During the test flights last year, the longest air travel was from New York to Sydney with a complete flying time of 19 hours and 31 a few minutes.
Due to ongoing concerns from the coronavirus, the airline has pushed a decision over ordering the aircraft before end of 2020.
Austrian Airlines breaks 60-year record
Qantas isn't the only airline damaged by the existing global pandemic. Airlines around the world possess grounded flights as more than 50 countries possess banned passenger flights. These imposed travelling restrictions have observed some airlines get innovative.
A Lufthansa-owned Austrian airlines landed in Australia today, March 30, after completing the longest flight in the airline's 60 year history.
The airline has grounded all its commercial aircraft but made the 9,918-mile journey from Vienna to Sydney to get Austrians stranded in Australia.
The other day, Qantas flew the initial ever A380 non-stop service from Australia to London to get around a ban in transit passengers at Singapore, the airline's normal hub.
Source: www.thenational.ae
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