Has Qantas made the world’s dullest airline video?

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May 15, 2018
Qantas tesla tow record
Photo: Qantas

It’s not entirely clear whether the new Qantas video is an advertisement for Tesla or a clip promoting the fact you can charge Elon Musk’s electric vehicles at the airline’s valet facilities at select airports.

Or maybe it’s another one of those innovations by boffins to help people sleep on the Perth-London route.

But for those dying to know whether a Tesla Model X P100D can tow a Qantas 787-9 Dreamliner the answer is in.

Yes, it can.

The relief from Tesla drivers everywhere will no doubt be palpable as they realize the powerful dual electric motors in their prize possession will be able to tow any Qantas Dreamliner they find stranded on their local highway almost 300 metres.

READ: Qantas 787 smashing speed records.

It doesn’t come as a complete shock to discover this is a world first. It’s also apparently a  successful Guinness World Record attempt at the heaviest tow by an electric production passenger vehicle.

“While the Model X can accommodate up to seven passengers, far less than the 236 people on a Qantas Dreamliner, the Tesla punched above its weight towing the 130-tonne 787 well above its on-road tow rated capacity of 2.5 tonnes,’’ Qantas says

There is an asterisk to tell us the 787 was not carrying cargo or passengers and only had a small amount of fuel on board.

We’re cheerfully reminded that this isn’t the first time Tesla and Qantas have gone head-to-head: there was also a more exciting video of a race at Victoria’s Avalon Airport between a Boeing 737 and a Tesla Model S P90D.

Both are videos designed to underscore the message that Qantas has environmental street cred, or is at least working at getting some.

“With more than 10,000 pieces of Qantas ground services equipment like catering trucks, aircraft loaders and other vehicles all running on diesel, even just a small shift to electric power will have an enormous impact in the move to a sustainable future,’’ the airline says.

“That’s why we’re continuing to collaborate with our friends at Tesla, driving innovation for our customers and increasing sustainability in the transport industry.”

1 COMMENT

  1. Nothing new here. Decades ago PSA, the original low cost airline in the USA, had a commercial featuring a number of their flight attendants, attired in pink hot pants, tow a 727 a few meters.