Qantas plans Airbus A380 for Heathrow flights

Australian carrier Qantas is to start flights from London Heathrow to Sydney using a new A380 superjumbo.

The airline will roll out the new double-decker plane early next year on flights between the UK and Australia.

Flights from Melbourne to Los Angeles will welcome the new aircraft in October.

Rob Gurney, general manager of sales and distribution at Qantas, announced the integration of the superjumbo – capable of carrying 450 passengers – this week.

He said: "All four classes of the A380 will offer passengers greater levels of space and comfort, as well as state-of-the-art interiors designed by Qantas Creative Director Marc Newson.

"The A380 will also offer significant improvements in terms of environmental performance, including reduced fuel consumption and emissions, greater efficiency and less noise."

Meanwhile passengers could experience more competition for cheap flights in Australia after low-cost Indonesian carrier Lion Air announced plans to enter the Australian market.

The budget carrier will start flights from south-east Asia to Australia, as well as domestic routes.

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