More space for carry-on bags in Qantas' 737 cabin revamp, as new Airbus planes rolled out
Airline Qantas has announced a revamp of planes which is set to solve a common travel headache - more storage space for cabin bags.
As part of upgrades to Boeing 737 cabins, the Australian airline says it will roll out new, larger overhead lockers with up to 50 per cent more space.
The makeover will be for 42 planes used for domestic and short international flights to Fiji, Bali and Vanuatu.
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Qantas will eventually replace 737s with the new Airbus A321XLR. Supplied
New seats in business and economy are also coming, with the changes complete by 2027. However, longer term, Qantas will replace 737s with the new Airbus A321XLR.
Qantas will be one of the first airlines in the world to operate the new planes, and have now unveiled one painted with the famous flying kangaroo.
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The first aircraft is set to arrive in June, with a total of four expected by the end of the calendar year.
They offer "more comfortable" economy seats, more business seats, a "quieter flight", a long and wide spacious cabin, extra-large overhead lockers and fast free Wi-Fi, Qantas says.
The cabin upgrades will result in extra-large overhead lockers. Getty
"Investing in our fleet is one of the most significant ways that we can transform the flying experience for our customers and make sure we're consistently delivering a great journey," Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said
"As we bring more new aircraft into our fleet, we are also making our existing aircraft look and feel like new."
Qantas will replace 737s with the new Airbus A321XLR with new business class seats. Supplied
Group boarding change sees more on-time performance
More Qantas planes have flown on time this year, the company said, since the introduction of the group boarding process by the airline.
The airline's on time performance improved by two per cent in the half year compared to last year.
Qantas will be one of the first airlines in the world to operate the new planes. Supplied
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Jetstar improved three per cent
The company will now expand its new group boarding process across all regional, domestic and international flights departing Australia.
It says since group boarding, which allocates passengers by group not seat number, was introduced in June 2024 on some domestic 737 flights, boarding times have been three minutes faster on average.
