Qantas Tests Boeing 737 Upgrade to Load More, Bigger Baggag
17th Jul 2012
All Boeing 737-800 planes of Qantas will soon get load more carry-on bags or even bags bigger than the current maximum size allowed by most airlines today.
Qantas will embark on the retrofitting project, dubbed Project Amber, on its Boeing 737 jets starting in the last quarter of this year (2012). Heath Tecna is tasked to develop and install the retrofit system which is seen as a boost to the capacity of the aircraft's overhead storage by up to 40 percent from its current load capacity.
The 'shelf bin' design has been a standard for years in most Boeing 737 and 757 planes. The current design will soon give way to Project Amber retrofit system which will increase the load factor of its overhead storage bins.
The new system is said to be easily installed for upgrade into Boeing's next-generation aircraft, the 737-800, as they have been already fitted with the Boeing Sky Interior.
According to Heath Tecna, the modern retrofit system is capable of holding bigger baggage size than the current industry standard aside from providing more space to hold more cargo per cabin than the Boeing Sky Interior bins. The pivot bins will increase the holding capacity of the cabin storage of up to 42 more stroller bags.
In addition to the conventional storage capability, Project Amber also allows stowing of up to seven roller bags transversely on their sides each 80-inch module provided. The increased capacity provided by the state-of-the-art pivot bin system is possible due to its unique pairing of odd-size bins.
The stylish twin-bin system also allows bins at full capacity to shut easily while offering more space directly above the passengers.
According to CEO Lyell Strambi for Qantas Domestic operations, the airline is the first in the world to try the new system which will soon become a new standard.