qantel
10th Sep 2012, 20:05
Qantas is expected to launch a daily non-stop service between Perth and Auckland as benefits of last week's alliance deal with Emirates start to emerge.
It will also begin a complimentary chauffeur service in April for international business and first class passengers to align its offerings with Emirates.
Qantas last Thursday announced a 10-year partnership with Emirates, the world's biggest international airline.
A key plank of the alliance is dropping Singapore for Dubai as Qantas' hub for all European flights.
As well as the announced code-share routes, the alliance is expected to deliver a host of new routes that become possible thanks to the combined scale of the two airlines.
A Qantas spokesman confirmed yesterday the carrier was looking at the feasibility of a non-stop route to Auckland.
The service would be a code-share with Emirates and would link with inbound Emirates flights from Dubai.
The new service would put Qantas head-to-head with Air New Zealand, which has upgraded its daily Perth to Auckland service to a Boeing 777.
The launch of a free chauffeur service is the first of a number of initiatives to align Qantas and Emirates.
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said the service would be one of the many new benefits to provide a consistent, world-class customer experience.
"We know this door-to-door service will be very well received and it's a prime example of the kind of benefits customers can expect from the new partnership," Mr Joyce said.
The limousine service would also be available for domestic legs from Perth connecting to international flights to the US via Sydney or Melbourne. Passengers would also be taken to their hotels at their destination.
Qantas and Emirates will today apply for approval of the deal by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
Industry sources suggest it will be approved because of significant consumer benefits and the parlous state of Qantas' international operations.
It will also begin a complimentary chauffeur service in April for international business and first class passengers to align its offerings with Emirates.
Qantas last Thursday announced a 10-year partnership with Emirates, the world's biggest international airline.
A key plank of the alliance is dropping Singapore for Dubai as Qantas' hub for all European flights.
As well as the announced code-share routes, the alliance is expected to deliver a host of new routes that become possible thanks to the combined scale of the two airlines.
A Qantas spokesman confirmed yesterday the carrier was looking at the feasibility of a non-stop route to Auckland.
The service would be a code-share with Emirates and would link with inbound Emirates flights from Dubai.
The new service would put Qantas head-to-head with Air New Zealand, which has upgraded its daily Perth to Auckland service to a Boeing 777.
The launch of a free chauffeur service is the first of a number of initiatives to align Qantas and Emirates.
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said the service would be one of the many new benefits to provide a consistent, world-class customer experience.
"We know this door-to-door service will be very well received and it's a prime example of the kind of benefits customers can expect from the new partnership," Mr Joyce said.
The limousine service would also be available for domestic legs from Perth connecting to international flights to the US via Sydney or Melbourne. Passengers would also be taken to their hotels at their destination.
Qantas and Emirates will today apply for approval of the deal by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
Industry sources suggest it will be approved because of significant consumer benefits and the parlous state of Qantas' international operations.