Qantas’ inaugural Airbus A380 flight to Johannesburg takes off today, the first time the national carrier has operated the Superjumbo to Africa.

The A380 will fly up to six times per week and will see a near-doubling of capacity, with an extra 130,000 seats between Australia and Africa every year. The Sydney to Johannesburg flight time is 14 hours, 40 minutes while Johannesburg to Sydney takes 11 hours, 55 minutes.

The significant increase in capacity comes as Qantas announces a new codeshare partnership with Johannesburg-based carrier Airlink, substantially expanding its network into South Africa.

Qantas has announced a new codeshare partnership with Johannesburg-based carrier Airlink.

The Qantas A380 has capacity for 485 passengers across four cabins, with the introduction of the Superjumbo seeing a return of First Class on the route for the first time since 2018. Qantas First features 14 individual suites arranged in an exclusive 1-1-1 configuration and convert into a 212-centimetre bed. The upgauge will also more than double the number of Premium Economy seats available between the cities.

The mega aircraft also features an upper deck lounge for passengers in First and Business, with booth-style seating for 10 people, a self-service bar and an option to order signature drinks and snacks.

“We are seeing strong demand for our Johannesburg services and, by upgrading to the Superjumbo, we will nearly double capacity during peak periods, adding over 130,000 seats per year between the continents,” Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace said.

“Qantas has a rich history of flying to South Africa over the past 72 years, having operated Constellations and Super Constellations, Electras, 707s, 747s, Dreamliners and now the A380.

“The A380 is a favourite among our frequent flyers and it will be great to see the Flying Kangaroo in the land of the springbok.

“This extra capacity, combined with our new codeshare with Airlink, will significantly expand the options for Qantas customers heading to Africa, strengthening the connections between family and friends, business and trade as well as supporting the tourism industry on both sides of the Indian Ocean.”

Qantas A380 Upper Deck.

Fares on the new A380 flights are available now at qantas.com and via travel agents, with codeshare connections on Airlink available tomorrow for travel from late-October 2024. All Qantas international fares include checked baggage allowance, food and beverages and inflight entertainment as standard with every booking.

Qantas first touched down in South Africa in 1948 with a Lancastrian survey flight from Sydney via Perth, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Mauritius to Johannesburg. The first passenger services commenced along the same route in September 1952 using a Lockheed Constellation L-749A. The journey took 66 hours and became affectionately known as the Wallaby Route – a nod to the Kangaroo Route from Australia to London.

Today, the Flying Kangaroo’s flights are nonstop, with the up gauge heralding the first A380 flight by any airline across the southern Indian Ocean.

The national carrier also intends to relaunch direct flights from Perth to Johannesburg from mid-2025, subject to meeting border agency requirements.

Qantas will add the QF code on Airlink’s domestic network, enabling connectivity between Qantas flights to Johannesburg and nine South African destinations, including Cape Town, Durban and Hoedspruit. The carrier hopes to add additional Airlink destinations in nearby southern African countries over the coming months, pending regulatory approval.

By codesharing with Airlink, Qantas Frequent Flyers can earn Qantas Points and Status Credits, as well as pay for flights using Points Plus Pay.

Fast facts

The inaugural A380 flights have full passenger loads in both directions.

With the increase in capacity, Qantas will operate over 280,000 seats per year between Australia and South Africa.

This is the world’s only A380 flight that crosses the Southern Indian Ocean and, when flying a southerly route on a clear day, customers can often see Antarctica.

Flight times: Sydney to Johannesburg: 14 hours and 40 minutes. Johannesburg to Sydney: 11 hours and 55 minutes.

Qantas has eight active A380s of a total fleet of 10, with the remaining two returning to service over the next 18 months.

In addition to Johannesburg, Qantas flies its A380s to Los Angeles, Singapore and London.

Airlink codeshare

Airlink is a Johannesburg-based, full-service regional airline serving a comprehensive network of destinations throughout Southern Africa, operating an all-jet fleet of Embraer aircraft from hubs in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.

The carrier was established in 1992 and has more than 65 aircraft operating to more than 45 destinations across Africa.

New Qantas codeshare destinations in South Africa with Airlink: Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, East London, George, Hoedspruit, Nelspruit, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and Skukuza.