Going, Gone! Rare Qantas memorabilia goes under the hammer

Some of the rarest aviation collectors items have gone under the hammer, as Qantas auctioned off parts of one of its Airbus A330’s before it began the process of being turned into a freighter.

The auction took place at a Qantas hangar at Sydney International Airport.

In attendance were frequent flyers, current and former Qantas staff as well as a few aviation geeks (I can call them that, because I am one myself).

At the centre of the hangar, the aircraft everyone was there for. VH-EBE, an Airbus A330.

It started its life as part of the Jetstar fleet, in fact the pilot who flew the aircraft on its delivery flight from Toulouse in France was present at the auction.

In 2015, EBE was promoted and made the move to Qantas. And, until today has been flying internationally for the airline day after day.

But, as the aircraft’s age began to make it less economical as a passenger aircraft, and with the growth in freight demand, the decision was made to convert the aircraft to a freighter.

This involved having the interior of the aircraft removed. And, in the interest of sustainability, the airline decided it would auction off some of the cabin contents being taken out of the fuselage. A process that will take 9 months.

Auction list:

• 2x Business class seats – $3600
• 2x Economy seats – $750
• 3x Economy seats – $1100
• 4x Economy seats – $850
• 1x Cabin crew jump seat – $900
• Bar cart filled with alcohol and other onboard memorabilia – $2000
• PA Phone – $450
• Bathroom vanity and mirror – $450
• Exit sign $550
• Seat and row number 1A tag – $800
• Backpack made from recycled lifejacket – $600
• Satchel also made of lifejacket material – $550
• Lifejacket apron – $500
• Lifejacket oven gloves – $350
• 6x Safety cards – $50 each
• Premium economy A380 seats $1400

All proceeds from the auction go to Pathfinders, Qantas’ charity that helps children with hearing or sight impairments, and their families. It’s raised $8 million for its cause since 1967 and is run entirely by volunteers made up of current and former Qantas staff.

In total $15,150 was raised at the auction.

Pathfinders is also running a fundraising flight later this year. Details can be found here.