Home » News » A plane every three weeks as Qantas readies for major expansion in 2025 and beyond

16 January, 2025

A plane every three weeks as Qantas readies for major expansion in 2025 and beyond

The vertical stabilisers of Qantas planes at Sydney Kingsford-Smith Airport, from the left: a Boeing B737-838 plane, registration VH-XZD; a Boeing B787-9 plane, registration VH-ZNE; and an Airbus A380-842 plane, registration VH-OQB. In the background on the left is a fourth Qantas plane, a Boeing B737-838, registration VH-XZH. In the far background is the international terminal. In the foreground are navigational light structures at the northern end of the runway. This image was taken from Nigel Love Bridge, Mascot on an overcast morning on 7 May 2023.

Edited by Travel Weekly

Critics have been quick to note the impact of Qantas’ ageing feet after the airline was criticised for losing the No.1 ranking for world’s safest airline to arch rival Air New Zealand.

But the Flying Roo is on the cusp of a major renewal project as the industry continues to face supply chain issues and increased demand.

In 2025, Qantas anticipates receiving 20 new passenger aircraft, a substantial increase from the eight received in FY24. This includes the first A321XLR, with the first entering the final assembly line in November.

By 2027, nearly half of all flights across Jetstar and Qantas narrowbody fleets are expected to be operated by next-generation aircraft. This also involves the addition of A220s, more Jetstar aircraft, and the refurbishment of the first A330.

The regional fleet will also continue to expand with 13 additional Q400 aircraft and 4 new A319s joining QantasLink.

Airline Rankings CEO highlights differing fleet ages

According to Airline Ratings CEO Sharon Petersen, “It was extremely close again between Air New Zealand and Qantas for first place with only 1.50 points separating the two airlines.”

“Whilst both airlines uphold the highest safety standards and pilot training, Air New Zealand continue to have a younger fleet than Qantas which separates the two.”

AirlineRatings.com, the world’s only airline safety and product rating website, unveiled its lists for the safest airlines in the world for 2025 from the 385 airlines it monitors this week. Qantas came 2nd, one place below Air New Zealand.

Compared to last year’s list, some of the most significant changes include the inclusion of Iberia and Vietnam Airlines which made their list debut, as well the rise of Korean Air into the top 10. Notable absences this year are Singapore Airlines and KLM.

Sydney University professor and aviation expert Rico Merkert told AAP that assessing the older Qantas fleet made “a fair point”.

“They do have an older fleet, quite old actually,” he said. “That said, if maintained well, older aircraft can also be incredibly safe.”

Airline Ratings reported a recent airline safety study revealed that between 2018 and 2022, the global death risk per flight boarding was approximately one in 13.7 million. In comparison, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated 1.19 million fatalities from road accidents in 2023, equating to more than two deaths per minute.

The top full-service airlines for 2025 in order are:

Air New Zealand
Qantas
Cathay Pacific; Qatar Airways; Emirates
Virgin Australia
Etihad Airways
ANA
EVA Air
Korean Air
Alaska Airlines
Turkish Airlines (THY)
TAP Portugal
Hawaiian Airlines
American Airlines
SAS
British Airways
Iberia
Finnair
Lufthansa/Swiss
JAL
Air Canada
Delta Airlines
Vietnam Airlines
United Airlines

Details of Qantas’ next-gen fleet

Qantas is in the midst of an historic renewal of both its narrowbody and widebody fleets over the next 10+, according to the ‘The Next Gen Qantas Group’ report seen by Travel Weekly.

Qantas Group will on average receive one new aircraft every three weeks over the next three years. The new planes will be more fuel efficient, quieter and operate with significantly better economies and range, meaning more route options.

Qantas has also partnered with Airbus and Boeing on Sustainable Aviation Fuels, which will reduce emissions by up to 80 per cent, including for access to up to 500 million litres per annum from FY28.

Qantas planes on order. (Source: ‘The Next Gen Qantas Group’)

Advertise with us

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Airline Ratings qantas