Qantas further expands its international network

Qantas has announced a significant boost to its international network. This will see the carrier add more flights, more aircraft, and new routes as it continues to restore its capacity.

In response to strong travel demand, Qantas will add approximately one million seats to its international network over the next year. This will give Qantas customers more options to destinations across Asia, the United States, and the Pacific.

The Aircraft

In order to achieve this, Qantas is employing a number of strategies. This will see more aircraft return to service, new aircraft added to the fleet, and leasing two aircraft from Finnair.

In terms of aircraft returning to service, Qantas has recently returned 5 aircraft to service. In addition, an additional A380 is due to return by the end of the year.

Qantas recently took delivery of a new(ish) 787 and is due to take delivery of 2 more in the coming months.

Finally, Qantas has come to an agreement with Finnair to operate two A330 aircraft on behalf of Qantas. This will initially be under a wet lease arrangement, but will later switch to a dry lease.

The Routes

Qantas will boost flying on the following routes from 29 October 2023:

• United States
  • Melbourne – Los Angeles: Flights will increase from daily to nine per week, bumping capacity by around 60 per cent, primarily through more A380 flights.
  • Sydney – New York via Auckland: Flight frequency will increase from three to four per week.
• Asia
  • Australia to Tokyo: Flights will double from 14 to 28 per week, offering the choice of four daily flights to Japan from 26 November.
    • Sydney – Tokyo will increase from daily to double daily.
    • Melbourne – Tokyo will increase from four per week to daily.
    • Brisbane – Tokyo will increase from three per week to daily.
    • Melbourne and Brisbane services to Tokyo will shift to Narita Airport.
  • Sydney – Shanghai: Daily A330 flights will be introduced for the first time in more than three years.
  • Sydney – Hong Kong: Capacity will increase by over 50% for the peak Australian summer season, with daily flights being operated by a mix of A380 and A330 aircraft.
  • Melbourne – Hong Kong: Flights will increase from four per week to daily.
  • Melbourne – Singapore: Flights will increase from 10 to 14 per week starting from 31 March 2024.
  • Sydney – Singapore: Flights will increase from 14 to 15 per week starting from 31 March 2024.
  • Melbourne – Delhi: Flights will increase from three to six per week over the peak Australian summer season.
• Pacific and Tasman
  • Brisbane – Wellington: This is a new daily route with the E190 aircraft.
  • Brisbane – Honiara, Solomon Islands: This new route will operate three days per week with E190 aircraft.
  • Sydney – Christchurch: Flights will increase from 11 to 14 per week.
  • Sydney – Queenstown: Flights will increase by up to one per week, with up to 14 flights over the peak Australian summer season.

Thoughts

It’s always a positive sign to see an expansion such as this. There is often good news for frequent flyers as well. New Rewards Seat opportunities often pop up as new flights are added to timetables. This is especially true when new routes are being added.

So, keep an eye on the Qantas website. You never know where you might find a new Rewards seat.