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Qantas Airways said Monday that customers were requesting in-flight innovations such as exercise bikes and virtual reality relaxation to pass the time on proposed 20-hour non-stop flights from Sydney to London. The airline expects to order Airbus A350 or Boeing 777X jets capable of flying the world's longest-ever commercial route later this year, with the first services starting in 2022. Focus group research as well as customer surveys of those who have flown on its 17-hour non-stop route from Perth to London have found health and wellness are the top trends, Qantas said. Passenger suggestions include spaces for gentle exercise, providing wireless noise-cancelling headsets and installing an in-flight cafe with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and snacks, the airline said. <br/>

American Airlines is expanding its operation at Chicago O’Hare International, from gates and a dozen new destinations to maintenance operations. As part of this, the carrier opened a new US$215m maintenance hangar at ORD that is the largest hangar at the airport, and is the airport’s first new hangar in 30 years. It’s also the first newly constructed hangar at any of American’s hubs since its merger with US Airways. The 191,000-sq.-ft. structure, which will replace a smaller 60-year-old hangar, can accommodate 6 narrowbody aircraft, 3 widebodies, including the Boeing 787, or a mix of the aircraft. American operates 15 Dreamliner departures per day from ORD and plans to establish a 787 maintenance centre of excellence at ORD now that it has the facilities and scale. <br/>