In 2022, Qantas announced a sale of 1,000 Qantas bar carts from their retired Boeing 747s fully stocked with 80 bottles of wine and champagne, as well as a few other certified goodies. Naturally Avgeeks the world over flocked to the internet and socials to build the hype, fueling interest in the hottest piece of aviation memorabilia this side of an ejector seat.
These killer bits of memorabilia were, of course, rescued from the planes before being flown to California’s Mojave Desert for a dignified retirement and had served well – with an estimated 2,000 flights and 15 million kilometres under each one’s proverbial belt.
“There has been a huge demand for Qantas 747 memorabilia,” said Phil Capps, Qantas Executive Manager of Product & Services in 2022.
“And frequent flyers have expressed keen interest to convert the bespoke inflight trolley into everything from lampstands to storage units.”
The Qantas bar carts in 2022 cost punters $974.70 or 169,000 Qantas Points with free delivery to metropolitan areas in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth; each one containing the following:
- 40 x Mini-bottles of Australian white wine
- 40 x Mini-bottles of Australian red wine
- 1 x Bottle of Champagne
- 2 x Qantas business class amenity kits incl. ASPAR Travel Essentials skincare products
- 1 x Sheridan throw produced exclusively for First Class ( 100% combed cotton)
- 2 x Pairs of Qantas Business Class pyjamas (M/L + L/XL)
An extremely limited amount of full-size carts with double the items were also up for grabs – priced at $1,474.70 or 256,000 Qantas Points.
If you missed the 2022 sale, your best bet for getting a hold of a Qantas bar cart is to hit Facebook, Gumtree or eBay in the hope someone’s not-so-passionate significant other has forced them to list their pride and joy. Prices have been known to fluctuate wildly, like this example which was for sale in August 2023 on eBay asking $7,000!
Obviously, this seller got on watch flipping bandwagon.
Alternatively, ensure you pay attention to the auction houses like Lawsons and Grays as well as updates from Qantas touting potential future sales, however unlikely they may be.
