The green set

Who knew well-designed tableware could save fuel? Alex Greig makes a surprising discovery. When an object truly fulfils its function, it’s likely that the design will pass “almost unnoticed”, says Neil Perry, Qantas’s creative director of food, beverage and service. This phenomenon could apply to the sleek new inflight tableware created by industrial designer David Caon.

The glassware, cutlery and Noritake crockery to be used in First, Business (including domestic) and Premium Economy is so lightweight and practical that their artistic value is unlikely to ever enter the user’s mind. For example, will you notice that each item has an 800-millimetre curve for continuity of design and to complement the interior of the aircraft? Or that the teapot lid locks, meaning less clinking during service?

The collection has been months in the making – Qantas briefed Caon to not only create sophisticated pieces suitable for use at 40,000 feet but to also reduce the weight of the tableware by at least 10 per cent to minimise Qantas’s carbon footprint. With this range, Qantas will consume 535,000 kilograms less fuel each year – the amount required for a car to drive around Australia more than 200 times.

It will be on board the first 787-9 Dreamliner flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles on 15 December then rolled out to the rest of the fleet and Qantas lounges.