QantasLink will codeshare with Skytrans on flights between Sydney and Lord Howe Island following an agreement with the regional airline. While the details are still being finalised, the codeshare will commence when Skytrans begins.
As a result, you will still be able to book the Lord Howe Island flights on Qantas.com. In addition, Qantas frequent flyers will still be able to earn Status Credits and Qantas Points and have access to lounges in Sydney. However, the announcement from Qantas does not address whether you will still be able to redeem points on the flights.
Background
Earlier this year, Qantas announced that it was retiring its fleet of Q200 (and Q300) aircraft. In their place, Qantas were acquiring additional Dash-8 Q-400 aircraft to service regional centres.
This left open the question as to what would happen to flights to Lord Howe Island. While moving to the Q400 brought advantages to QantasLink it was too big an aircraft to operate to Lord Howe Island.
As Qantas will not have suitable aircraft to operate the flight, the New South Wales government awarded the license to operate the flight to Skytrans.
Under the newly announced arrangement, Qantas will continue flying Q200s under the existing license until 29 March 2025. There will then be a transition period with Skytrans crew potentially training or operating QantasLink flights before Skytrans takes over the route completely from 26 February 2026. Once Skytrans takes over, QantasLink will then codeshare on the Skytrans flights.
The Lord Howe Island Skytrans flights will continue to operate the same schedule and frequency as QantasLink’s operations, and it intends to operate these from Qantas’ Terminal 3 at Sydney Airport. There will be no impact to existing bookings.
To some extent, it will even be on the same aircraft. As part of the deal, the Q200s being retired from QantasLink will be transitioned to Skytrans.
Transition Timeline
The following outlines the overall timeline of the transition of flights from Qantas to Skytrans.
- You will be able to book flights on Qantas.com or via travel agents throughout and after transition.
- Qantas Frequent Flyers will earn Status Credits and Qantas Points and have access to lounges in Sydney.
Present – 29 March 2025:
- QantasLink will continue to operate its existing flights on the Q200 aircraft under its current license.
30 March – 25 February 2026 (transitional period):
- QantasLink will continue to operate its existing flights on the Q200 aircraft, sharing the regulated route license with Skytrans.
- Skytrans pilots and cabin crew may be training or operating the QantasLink flights during this transition period.
26 February 2026 – March 2030 (end of licence):
- Skytrans will operate all flights to Lord Howe Island on the Q200 aircraft under its exclusive licence.
- You will be able to book flights on Skytrans.com.au, through Qantas channels or travel agents.
