It’s the biggest expanse of water on the planet, a place where reputations are made or broken. It’s the Pacific, and two major airlines are refining their service there.
Korean Air will begin flying a double-decked A380 on one of its Los Angeles flights to Seoul Oct. 11. The move marks the entry of the gargantuan jetliner into the 5,956-mile transpacific route. Capable of accommodating far more seats, Korean Air’s A380s are fitted with just 407 seats – 12 Kosmo First Class suites, 94 lie-flat sleepers, and 301 Economy Class seats.
The fully-double-decked Airbus sports a Duty Free Showcase at the base of the spiral staircase leading up to Prestige Class. There you can buy cosmetics, perfumes, liquor and accessories.
Meanwhile, out of Dallas/Fort Worth International, Qantas is increasing Dallas/Fort Worth flights to Sydney. Come July 2012, plans are to field daily service on the route. Right now specially-fitted Boeing 747-400ERs make the trip four times each week.
One of the reasons Qantas’ flights are a success, despite the wretched economy, is the fact DFW is oneworld alliance partner American Airlines’ prime hub. American feeds Qantas’ flights from a vast swath of its route structure. Connectivity is the key.
Qantas 747s make an en route stop at the coastal city of Brisbane on the way Down Under. That alone is a formidable 8,312-mile trip. After a short stop in Brisbane, the flight proceeds down Australia’s East Coast to Sydney.
The return 8,586-mile Sydney flight to Dallas/Fort Worth is a nonstop. That’s because the 747 flies with the Jet Stream, rather than into it. That saves fuel.
What’s the longest flight you ever took – and how did you deal with all that time aloft? Let us know.
Story by Jerry Chandler
(Image: Paul Sapiano)
