Yesterday, Qantas’s US-based account tweeted this:
@QantasUSA: Here’s a vid of our refitted 747s with A380 features. New seats, cabin mood lighting, espresso machines and more! http://bit.ly/MoNKlz #747
And here’s the video:
A rather convincing and informative video — and it’s all thanks to social media and the power of YouTube (publicising a two-and-a-half minute video wouldn’t have been feasible otherwise).
The video also raises some very interesting points:
- Aircraft revitalisation through retrofitting: In short, Qantas has taken most of the retrofit hints from its Airbus A380 aircraft, which features the new cabin products. Along with a new paint job, those ageing Boeing 747-400s just got given a new lease of life!
- Retaining existing aircraft (and retrofit) versus purchasing new ones: In the short term, the former option is probably more financially-viable, as opposed to introducing more new aircraft of similar capacity.
- Frequent flyers’ familiarisation with product: As shared by select cabin crew in the YouTube video, passengers who flew on the retrofitted aircraft were happy to see the “new product” — whether it’s consistency with the A380 offering, or the doing-away with the old-and-tattery feeling of the previous cabins.
Most passengers wouldn’t be able to tell whether they’re on an Airbus or Boeing aircraft, but they might be able to differentiate between a single- or double-deck one.
My point is, being able to maintain consistency on a positive — and/or even improve upon the — passenger experience is pretty much key.
EDIT: @QantasUSA has provided me with a link to their site detailing the upgraded Boeing 747-400s and their operations.
