Qantas gets creative with jumbo bar sale

Qantas’ million-dollar drinks trolleys are just the latest example of airlines’ extremely creative efforts to make money while they’re stuck on the ground.

Qantas is capitalising on the love for Boeing 747s selling off 1000 half bar carts used in the iconic aircraft during almost 50 years of service. Picture: Peter Parks/AFP

Qantas has raised a fast $1m with the sale of 1000 bar carts salvaged from the airline’s now retired Boeing 747 fleet.

The half and full carts stocked with mini bottles of red and white wine plus other treats, sold out within two hours of going on sale on the airline’s website on Thursday.

Priced from $974.70 for a half-sized cart to $1474.70 for a full-sized version, the collectors’ items were expected to sell well, given the interest in the “Queen of the Skies”.

“These preloved 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,” said Qantas executive manager of product and service Phil Capps.

“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.”

Qantas is selling off the furniture, or in this case 747 half bar carts, fully stocked with wine and other goodies. Picture: Supplied.

It was the latest novel money-raising venture undertaken by the airline as it navigates the devastating COVID crisis which has seen more than 20,000 employees of Qantas and Jetstar stood down.

On Wednesday Qantas announced a major shake of sporting sponsorships that included the end of its 30-year partnership with Rugby Australia.

Last month 6500 “iso care packs” of business class pyjamas, almonds and amenity kits were snapped up by frustrated wannabe travellers, and seats on the airline’s planned scenic seven-hour flight of Australia sold out in under 10 minutes.

Qantas is not the only airline resorting to alternative means to make money during the pandemic, in the absence of actual flying.

All you can fly

In a move that may become more commonplace as airlines try to lure passengers back into the air, China Eastern has offered an “all you can fly” deal for weekend travel.

For a single fee of around $500, passengers can fly as much as they want on weekends for the rest of the year.

Like Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Japan’s ANA are also doing a series of “flights to nowhere” and Thai Airways has opened a restaurant serving airline meals for those missing on-board dining.

Up to 2000 meals a day are being dished up by uniformed cabin crew for diners who can enjoy their lunch or dinner in an actual plane seat.

Other airlines and airline catering companies have begun doing home-delivered meals, including Canada’s Air North.

Qantas is selling 1000 fully stocked half bar carts and a small number of full carts from its 747s that were retired in July. Picture: Supplied.

Customers can order up to 20 pre-cooked, frozen meals such as beef pot pie for $9.50, or a selection of cheesecakes from $15.

In Australia Gate Gourmet is selling frozen airline meals and snack packs for around $27 for seven “dinners” for pick up from the company’s Brisbane or Sydney depots.

AirAsia has taken the home deliveries a step further, launching a fresh produce e-commerce store that aims to connect Malaysian farmers directly with hotels, restaurants and supermarkets.

Using the airline’s cargo, logistics and payment capabilities, growers are able to access new markets for their potatoes, pineapples, pak choi and chicken.

The innovative measures come as the COVID crisis ravages revenue streams and forces large-scale job losses in the airline industry.

Worldwide international travel is down 92 per cent on 2019 levels, with airlines expected to post a collective net loss of $80bn in 2020.