Qantas’s New Possibilities with the 787 Dreamliner: Routes and Destinations

Introduction

The recent shift towards the 787 Dreamliner by Qantas is set to revolutionize their route offerings, opening up new opportunities for both international and domestic flights. This article explores the potential routes and destinations that Qantas could explore with this new aircraft, marking a significant shift in their global reach.

Expanding Hub Operations

With Perth being established as a new hub, Qantas stands to gain substantial access to a wide range of international markets. Let's delve into the specific routes and destinations that could become feasible:

1. Europe via Perth:

London - Perth - Melbourne / Los Angeles: This route allows Qantas to serve major European cities, leveraging Perth as a strategic stopover. Africa:

Sydney - Perth - Cairo / Brisbane - Dallas: Qantas could tap into growing markets in Africa, offering unique travel experiences, such as visiting the pyramids in Cairo or exploring the richness of Dallas. Melbourne - Perth - Lagos: If Qantas could overcome the challenges of operating in Africa, this route could connect one of the largest cities in Africa with Melbourne, showcasing the potential for long-range flights to lesser-populated destinations.

2. Domestic and International Destinations:

Perth - London Heathrow: This route specifically mentioned by Qantas is a significant step forward, illustrating their commitment to establishing Perth as a global hub. Other European Destinations:

Melbourne - London and Tullamarine - Dallas/Fort Worth: The 787 Dreamliner opens up the possibility for Qantas to offer non-stop flights between these cities, catering to the growing interest in long-haul travel. Brisbane - Tokyo: Serving as an example of profitable long-range routes, Brisbane-Tokyo could be a high-demand route during the ski season.

3. Asia:

Melbourne - Beijing or Tokyo - Sapporo / New Chitose: These routes could benefit from the growing interest in Asian markets, especially during holiday seasons.

The Role of the 787 Dreamliner

According to Joyce, the 787 fills a crucial gap in the airline industry for routes with low traffic volumes that previously didn't justify the use of a 747. This makes the 787 well-suited for smaller markets, such as:

Melbourne Tullamarine - Dallas/Fort Worth Brisbane - Tokyo

These routes demonstrate the versatility of the 787 in handling smaller capacity long-range flights, a market that was previously constrained by capacity limitations.

Conclusion

Qantas's shift towards the 787 Dreamliner marks a significant step forward in their route planning. By leveraging East Asia and Europe as key markets, Qantas can expand its reach, building Perth into a global hub. The potential for these new routes to capitalize on both long-haul and short-haul markets, as well as unique travel experiences, paints a promising future for Qantas.