Ditch handle, I'm just trying to stay out of hypothesising on the 6 month future of Qantas, but when someone makes a comment that one aircraft is better for the route than another based on just one aspect: luxurious services, then I can't help making a little counter-argument. There are horses for courses and the international travel market is changing rapidly. Similarly, the argument that Qantas will survive because it always has is equally myopic. There are other big companies that have become victims of circumstances and it's naive to think Qantas is not immune. The A380 is a big liability if it can't turn a profit. Other aircraft can be put on other routes, but the A380 is more specialised on route application and not as flexible. In addition, while Americans in general, are considerate, thankful and supportive to Australians, they're going to support home-grown companies first.
Personally, now that I am obliged to make a comment, I think a 6 month deadline in the title of the thread is just being provocative, however I also think a merge of Jetstar and Qantas is now very much on the cards; not to beat up on the unions as has been suggested, but for economic rationalisation. The market is contracting and Qantas/Jetstar, like many other industries, needs to rationalise to balance supply with demand. However, if a merger/absorption does happen, you can bet the Qantas/Jetstar executives will try and retain Jetstar T&C's as much as possible while retaining the Qantas name. They'd be silly if they didn't.
Last edited by Lodown; 22nd Apr 2009 at 23:53.