Qantas are launching daily non-stop flights between Melbourne and Tokyo in December. The route, currently service by Jetstar, will see both airlines flying between the two cities over the summer holiday period. Jetstar will then be withdrawing from the route from February 25, 2017.
The switch back to Qantas from Jetstar is a response to growing demand, and marks the next step in its Asian growth strategy. It also reflects the willingness of Qantas to move routes between the two airlines as part of its two airline strategy.
The new (or rather resurrected) route will commence on December 16, 2016. Qantas will be operating their recently refurbished A330-300 aircraft on the route. These two class aircraft are fitted with a total of 297 seats – with 269 in Economy and 28 of the newly installed Business Suites.
The new service will operate services to Narita Airport in Tokyo. This airport is quite a hike from Tokyo, being nearly 70 km to the east. There are, however, high speed train services between Narita and Tokyo offering options to the city.
Fares for Qantas’ new Melbourne-Tokyo (Narita) service will be available for sale today for travel from 16th December 2016.
Qantas has been rejigging its Japan services over the last few years. The Melbourne-Narita service joins Sydney-Tokyo (Haneda) and Brisbane -Tokyo (Narita) services, launched in 2015.
QANTAS SCHEDULE
Effective 16 December 2016; no service on 24, 25 and 31 December
| City Pair | Flt Num | Timings | Daily |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEL-NRT | QF79 | 09:15/17:30 | Y |
| NRT-MEL | QF80 | 19:00/07:30+ 1 | Y |
