Qantas will introduce new tableware for its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet, drawing design cues from the aircraft’s cabin interiors.
The serviceware will be used in first, business and premium-economy cabins, and selected pieces will also appear in airport lounges. The collection comprises a 16-piece fine bone china set, complemented by a five-piece stainless steel cutlery service and matching glassware. Designer David Caon states the pieces were developed specifically for in-flight service.
To ensure the designs work at altitude, Caon consulted both cabin crew and the culinary team responsible for Qantas’s menus. Their feedback guided decisions about shape, balance and functionality so the tableware supports efficient service and presents meals attractively.
Weight was a key consideration. By slimming down the cutlery and crockery by about 11 percent, Qantas expects significant fuel savings—up to 535,000 kilograms per year—contributing to lower operating costs and reduced environmental impact.
Beyond efficiency, the new tableware is intended to enhance the onboard dining experience. Caon explains the lighter, more ergonomic pieces will allow crew to serve and present food with greater ease, opening up opportunities for more creative menu presentation and more interaction between crew and passengers.
The rollout of the new sets coincides with Qantas’s inaugural Dreamliner service. The tableware will enter service on December 15, timed with the airline’s first Dreamliner flight between Melbourne (MLB) and Los Angeles (LAX).