Kangaroo bounds back to the future

Qantas' retro 75th Boeing 737-800 paints a picture of what is to come, writes Aviation Editor Geoffrey Thomas

Was it the ultimate airline meal that made for the ultimate flight? Well if you love the 70s the answer is a resounding yes and probably no matter what era is your favourite, this culinary delight ticked every box.

The occasion?

The delivery flight of Qantas' latest and 75th Boeing 737-800 adorned in a 1970s retro colour scheme focused on the airline's extraordinary achievements as the world's oldest continuously operating airline.

The retro meal, designed by Neil Perry, was served between Honolulu and Nadi on the two-day flight home to Sydney from Seattle.

Perry took some 70s favourites and gave them the famous Rockpool signature contemporary twist using the best seasonal produce.

Perry explained: "These dishes were on the dinner-party menu in the 70s and are timeless and delicious. While we stayed true to the original concept, over the decades palates have evolved and quality ingredients have become more easily available, so we have introduced some subtle twists to the classics."

Our 70s experience started with a Hawaiian flavour - the famous mai tai and adding to the theme, the three flight attendants, Peta, Amy and Jasmine, were adorned in the stunning Pucci designed uniforms of vibrant green jackets with floral dresses.

The mai tais were quickly followed by hors d'oeuvres from the 70s - stuffed tomatoes, devils on horseback, chicken liver pate and stuffed eggs.

The big favourite was the devils on horseback - prunes stuffed with mango chutney and wrapped in bacon and served hot.

Entree was a choice between consomme printanier and smoked salmon pillows with pickled cucumber and Melba toast.

For me it was the smoked salmon and icy-cold champagne that had replaced the mai tais.

Main course was a choice of four magnificent dishes.

And from next month, Qantas progressively will be offering four main courses to all economy passengers on international flights.

What is more, the airline is not only doubling the offering but doubling the size of the portions.

Qantas is also offering something you could never do in the 70s - online ordering of your preference.

But back to the 70s classic mains, and they were indeed classic. Mushroom vol au vent, lobster thermidor, duck a l'orange or beef Wellington.

I couldn't go past the lobster thermidor, which was mouth-watering, to use a 70s phrase.

And the sides?

Waldorf salad, peas bonne femme and potatoes dauphinoise.

The Waldorf salad brought a smile as I flash backed to the famous John Cleese 1970s classic series Fawlty Towers, where an entire episode was built around the bumbling efforts by Basil Fawlty to create a Waldorf salad for an American couple.

We were really on the ultimate nostalgia trip, with wonderful memories flooding back.

I was taken back to wonderful teenage days when my mother, Una, put on dinner parties that became legendary.

And the sweets capped it off - sherry trifle and chocolate mousse.

I couldn't resist the sherry trifle just to see if it was a good as mum's.

It was.

Of course, delivery flights are special and particularly one built around nostalgia for the Flying Kangaroo and the late James Strong, after whom the plane is named.

But things are clearly changing at Qantas. After battling severe headwinds and turbulence over the past four years the airline has turned the corner and spirits are lifting.

The airline is using the retro roo as a focus of going back to the future to regain its mojo.

The newest addition to the Qantas fleet touched down in Sydney on Wednesday, November 19 and is a flying tribute to mark seven decades of the Flying Kangaroo logo.

Qantas Airways chief executive Alan Joyce joined past and present staff and executives, Boeing executives and other guests to welcome the plane.

"Seeing this brand-new aircraft in classic livery inspires a real sense of pride in all that Qantas and its people have achieved, " Mr Joyce said.

"It was during this period of the 70s and the 80s that people thought they were getting home the minute they saw a Qantas tail - that tail - anywhere around the ground. It had that resonance back then.

"For 70 years this familiar kangaroo on the tail has represented not just our airline but also the best of Australia and a sense of home for those who have seen it at airports around the world."

The delivery of the retro roo coincides with the airline's new brand campaign, which also aims to tap into the emotional connection of going home.

Qantas head of corporate affairs and marketing Olivia Wirth told The West Travel that there had been a surge of support for the campaign.

"The response has been overwhelming and people are now sharing their stories with us," Ms Wirth said.

And Perth travellers are going to love the airline's new domestic makeover, with lie-flat beds in business class, upgraded economy class and new in-flight entertainment which starts to roll out late this month.

Qantas is clearly on the rise, and one gets the feeling the retro 737 is a symbol of a new Qantas - revitalised, engaged and committed to the public.

Then and now

The retro roo 737 provides a fascinating snapshot of then and now for Qantas and for aviation. The Qantas Group now operates nearly eight times more aircraft than in the 1970s, with 308 planes.

And the airfares have taken a huge tumble. In 1974 a return economy airfare from Sydney to London was $774.70, which was six times the average weekly wage at the time. Today, the London return trip starts from about $2600 which is just twice the average Australian weekly wage.

In 1974, Qantas employed about 13,000 staff and today the staff count numbers 30,000.

And in 1974, Qantas flew to just 31 international destinations and today its network of international ports is 250 and domestically 54.

In 1974, Qantas prepared about 2.4 million meals a year and now it prepares 42 million.

And if you were travelling in 1974 you had two choices - first and economy. Today there is first, business, premium economy and economy.

In-flight entertainment (IFE) has also gone through an incredible revolution. In 1974, the IFE was audio channels and movies on a big screen on the 747. There were two stereo and eight mono audio channels available.

Today Qantas offers an almost endless range of IFE from seat backs with more than 200 movies.

Geoffrey Thomas was a guest of Qantas and Boeing.