Qantas Airways dropping first class on Sydney-Johannesburg flights from October

Qantas Airways recently announced it will be dropping first class on Sydney-Johannesburg route from October this year.

The airline in a statement said that the passengers would not be able to buy first class tickets as the first class cabins would no longer be available on Sydney-Johannesburg route effective from October 1, 2012.

The airline has decided to do away with the first class cabins on this route because it will now be rolling out its new Boeing 747 aircraft for operating flights between the two cities.
 
According to the airline, the newly designed Boeing 747 aircraft to be operated on Sydney-Johannesburg route will not have first class cabins. The rejigged jumbos will have expanded business class cabins equipped with fully flat second-generation Skybeds as well as other A380-style fittings, including self-service mini bars and improved in-flight entertainment system.

Qantas Airways has already informed those customers who have already booked first class seats on Sydney-Johannesburg route for flights from October 1, 2012 would now be re-booked into business class on the same flight and would be provided a partial refund of the airfare. The passengers also have the option to claim a full refund or cancel their booking.