What is the Qantas Skybed?

The Qantas Skybed is an illustrative example of the unseen connections between industry, designer, consumer experience and design law. In 2001, Qantas approached Marc Newson, a designer famous for his Lockheed Lounge and Embryo chair, to create a new business-class seat.

What is a Skybed?

Sky Bed is an innovative, patent pending, asymmetrically designed hammock that offers an amazingly flat and comfortable relaxation space. Using an inflatable pad in a hammock has always been a problem as the pad slides around and refuses to stay in one place.

Is Qantas the only airline that has never crashed?

Qantas holds the distinction of being the only airline that Dustin Hoffman’s character in the 1988 movie “Rain Man” would fly because it had “never crashed.” The airline suffered fatal crashes of small aircraft prior to 1951, but has had no fatalities in the 70 years since.

Is Boeing discontinuing the 747?

Boeing has announced that production of the iconic 747 will come to an end in 2022 as dwindling customer demand and low sales for its latest variant became the final nail in the coffin for the aging plane line. The 747 was the first quad-jet engine and dual-level passenger aircraft to roam the skies.

What’s the latest version of the Qantas Skybed?

The latest version of the Skybed is much better, called the Skybed Mark II. It goes level as well as flat. The new Qantas Skybed seats have an 80 inch pitch, which convernts to a 6 foot 6 inch long bed. There is a much better 12 inch touch screen TV monitor.

How big are the seats on Qantas Business Class?

Qantas A330 Business Class is in a 2-2-2 layout, with 6 rows, unlike the 2-3-2 layout of previous planes, giving a larger wider seat. The wide seatback design gives a seat pitch of 38 inches, and a width of 22 inches.

What kind of aircraft does Qantas fly now?

The 747 will be phased out from 2013, and replaced by the Airbus A380. Qantas also has a huge order for 115 Boeing 787-800 and 787-900 aircraft which will allow Qantas to replace its decidedly old and tired Boeing 767-300 fleet. Qantas has a modern (ish) and well maintained fleet of aircraft, of pretty much every type flying, with 280 aircraft.

What’s the difference between business and economy on Qantas?

The old stuff is strictly two class only, and to make it more confusing, there are two different types of Business Class seat, while in economy on international routes, the difference between old economy on non-rebuilt 747s and the latest A380 is marked. At least you are guaranteed a personal video screen on Qantas.