Being one of the oldest airline in the industry, Qantas most definitely has a rich history. Hence, it is no surprise that I am intrigued to explore more of their stories, at the Sydney Airport's Qantas Heritage Center.
Opens on Monday-Friday from 09.30 to 16.30, the Heritage Center is situated at Qantas Domestic Terminal 3, Mezzanine level, on the dome right above Gate 11-13. Admission into the facility is free of charge.
Reception desk at the Qantas Heritage Collection center, along with a replica of the Qantas B787 Dreamliner which is expected to be operational in 2018.
Each of the banner tells you the journey of Qantas from its early days, to the day it is becoming a major international carrier today.
Miniature Collections
Flight instruments and a model of Qantas B747SP series, which used to be the backbone of Qantas long-haul services in the 1970-1980s.
Replica of a Qantas Lockheed Super Constellation (nicknamed "Connie"). In 1957 Qantas used to have 34 of these aircraft on the fleet. The Constellation allows Qantas to expand its world network, with a multi-stop "Kangaroo Route" via Asia and the Mediterranean, or the trans-pacific route to San Francisco via Hawaii and Fiji.
The Qantas Boeing 747-300 "Nalanji Dreaming", which is personally my favorite Qantas livery.
Miniature of aircraft operated by Qantas in present and the past.
Trip down the Memory Lane: Past Uniforms and Publications!
Exhibition of a range of Qantas Crew's past Uniforms and publications. If you've flown Qantas on the past decades, this corner will certainly capture your attention!
Introduced in 2013, this is the current Qantas crew uniform, designed by Melbourne-born designer Martin Grant.
Based on Aboriginal motifs, it is the Qantas crew uniform 2003-2013, designed by Peter Morrisey. It has a slightly refreshed look in 2008, but is still in line with the Aboriginal motifs.
In 1995, the Qantas crew had a more corporate appearance, with a uniform designed by George Cross. Further behind, was the uniform used in the 1980s, which was designed by Yves-Saint Laurent.
Trendy and Colorful, it was the theme in the 1974 introduced Qantas crew uniform. The Emilio Pucci designed uniform continued to be in use until 1986.
The memorabilia and cutleries used for the meal service back on the Qantas B707-320 services. Called the V-jet, the B707 was a breakthrough as the jet engines cut travel times on many of the Qantas routes.
Publications and memorabilia from the Super Constellation days!
The Heritage Collection Center also provides a vantage-point to tarmac actions at SYD. You can also watch planes take-off and lands from this point.
Conclusion
If you have extra time in between your flights, the Qantas Heritage Collection Center is certainly worth a visit for visitors of all ages. You get to learn some history of one of the world's oldest airline, or you can simply get a front-row seat watching planes taking-off and land.