SYDNEY--December 2, 2002--Qantas announced it would commence its first = services to Chicago from Melbourne via Los Angeles three times each week = from March 31, 2003.=20 Qantas Executive General Manager Sales and Marketing John Borghetti said = these services, operated by the airline's long range 747-400 ER = aircraft, would provide customers with the fastest travel time and only = through-flight from Australia to Chicago. "Qantas customers traveling on QF107 Sydney-Los Angeles services will = also arrive in Los Angeles in time to connect with the Qantas Chicago = flights," he said. He said the new schedule, effective from March 31, 2003, also included = three new services each week from Sydney to Los Angeles, offering = convenient early morning arrivals. Mr. Borghetti said that under the new schedule Qantas would add 25% = capacity on the route by operating 33 services each week between Los = Angeles and Australia. "Qantas operates more services each week between Australia and North = America than any other carrier. Customers traveling to Los Angeles have = the option of onward Qantas services to New York three times a week and = now Chicago three times a week," he said.