American Airlines’ state-of-the-art, flagship Boeing 777-300ER aircraft performed a flyover of Sydney Harbour this morning and was welcomed by joint business partner Qantas in Hangar 96 at Mascot. The aircraft visit is a prelude to American’s new daily service from Sydney to Los Angeles, which starts on December 19, as part of the carriers’ expanded partnership announced earlier this year.
Guests from media, aviation, corporate customers and sales agents were hosted by American Airlines chairman and CEO Doug Parker and Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce . They toured the B777-300ER and experienced the all-aisle access, fully lie-flat First and Business Class seats and viewed the walk-up bar in the premium cabins. Every seat on the aircraft, including Main Cabin and Main Cabin Extra, features personal, in-seat, on-demand, HD entertainment screens with up to 250 movies, 160 TV programs and more than 350 music selections and games. American also offers international Wi-Fi capability, universal AC power outlets and USB ports throughout all cabins.
American Airlines chairman and CEO Doug Parker said, “bringing our 777-300ER to Sydney demonstrates our commitment to Australia. American is making a $2 billion investment in our onboard products and airport facilities by upgrading our cabins, offering more inflight entertainment options, refreshing our Admirals Club lounges worldwide and upgrading our food and beverage options. This visit is an important opportunity to showcase to Australian customers American’s world-class product.
“It was an incredible thrill to witness our Sydney Harbor flyover this morning and it is a proud day for the 100,000 employees at American to see our aircraft with the iconic Sydney Harbour.”
Qantas Group CEO, Alan Joyce, said Qantas was excited to welcome the carrier’s longest-standing codeshare partner to Sydney.
“We are delighted to welcome our friends at American Airlines and their flagship B777-300ER on this visit to Sydney, to celebrate the next chapter in the 25 year partnership between our two great airlines. It really highlights to the Australian market what we can jointly offer across the Pacific,” said Mr Joyce.
“This is a boom time for American tourism in Australia. More than half a million Americans visited Australia last financial year, spending over three billion dollars in the process.
“Together we will be championing Australia in the US to unlock the potential of the trans-Pacific market, providing customers with more destinations, a more coordinated network, and world-class travel experiences,” said Mr Joyce.
Earlier this week at a press conference in Wellington, American announced that it would commence service from Auckland to Los Angeles. The service will start on 25 June 2016 from Auckland pending regulatory approvals and goes on sale on 23 November. This route will be operated by a Boeing 787-8, the newest aircraft in American’s fleet. The flight will be operated as part of American’s joint business with Qantas.
In June, American and Qantas announced increased options between the U.S. and Sydney Airport (SYD), with American launching a new nonstop flight from LAX, and Qantas adding a new flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO), both beginning in December.
