This was published 3 years ago
Qantas Boeing 747 jumbo jets: Fully stocked drinks carts for sale to the public
By Jane Reddy
The 747 half bar cart contains 40 mini bottles of white wine and 40 mini bottles of red wine and one bottle of Champagne from the business class cellar; two business class amenity kits containing ASPAR Travel Essentials; a Sheridan throw made exclusively for Qantas first class made of 100 per cent combed cotton; two Qantas business class sleeper suits.Credit:
For anyone who might be feeling nostalgic for the golden age of travel, Qantas is opening its memorabilia storage shed to the Australian public.
One thousand Qantas 747 galley carts, stocked with items from champagne and Australian red and white wine to Tim Tams, pyjamas and an exclusive-to-Qantas First Class Sheridan throw, went on sale on Thursday. All 1000 were sold within a couple of hours, generating about $1 million in revenue for the airline.
The bar carts were removed from the airline's recently retired and 747 aircraft before the planes were flown to the Californian desert.
The carts served Qantas on world travels with each one averaging about 2000 flights.
Qantas operated various incarnations of the 747 "Queen of the Skies" for almost 50 years before retiring the jumbo jet six months early as part of its response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Qantas executive manager of product and service Phil Capps says the airline wanted to offer a physical piece of the 747 legacy.
"These pre-loved carts served Qantas and our customers well during their world travels from London and Los Angeles to Singapore and Santiago, with each one averaging around 2000 flights. While we no longer have use for them, they still have life in them, especially for those with an appreciation for aviation collectables and an eye for design.
"There has been huge demand for Qantas 747 memorabilia and Frequent Flyers have expressed keen interest to convert the bespoke inflight trolley into everything from lamp stands to storage units. The fact they come fully stocked with some of Qantas' most popular on-board service items will hopefully inspire some high-flying fun at home."
"We know people have been ordering Qantas Wine to enjoy at home and our Qantas 'iso care kits' featuring the PJs sold out within hours. The bar carts offer the trifecta of wine, PJs and a piece of aviation history," he said
The 747 half bar cart contains 40 mini bottles of white wine and 40 mini bottles of red wine and one bottle of Champagne from the business class cellar; two business class amenity kits containing ASPAR Travel Essentials; a Sheridan throw made exclusively for Qantas first class made of 100 per cent combed cotton; two Qantas business class sleeper suits.
The half bar carts cost $974.70 including delivery (or 169,000 Qantas Points) and a small number of full size carts will be available with double the items for $1474.70 including delivery (or 256,000 Qantas Points).
The airline is currently looking for ways to make savings and raise revenue after reporting a $1.9 billion loss last financial year. Qantas is undergoing a $15 billion, three-year cost cutting drive to help it get through the pandemic crisis. It does not expect to resume regular international flights again until mid-2021.
See also: What happens when a plane gets scrapped
See also: Tears and tributes as the last Qantas 747 departs Australia for final time
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