Qantas draws backlash for hiring Kiwi staff on SYD-NY route
Qantas is looking to use Kiwi cabin crew on its newly launched Sydney to New York flight, which stops via Auckland, spurring criticism from Australian flight attendants.
The 16-hour flight replaces Qantas’ pre-pandemic route which stopped at Los Angeles Airport (LAX) and will use New Zealand-based cabin crew, which some claim is because NZ flight attendants have fewer rest entitlements.
Among those is the head of the Flight Attendants Association of Australia (FAAA) Teri O’Toole, who described the move to opt for New Zealand flight attendants over Qantas’ Australian employees as a “slap in the face.”
“After Australian taxpayers gave Qantas more than $2 billion in support to retain their staff during COVID-19, it seems like a slap in the face that Australian workers have been denied this work,” O’Toole told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Kiwi flights in Qantas’ subsidiary Jet Connect recently voted to change the minimum hours of required rest following an 18 hour flight. This dropped from 50 hours to 40 hours and is what the association believes is the reason Kiwi staff were chosen for this route.
“It is a slippery slope to chase destinations by reducing your conditions. Of course our members would like to go to New York and carry Australians, but at what cost. The community should be outraged that after making $2.5 billon in profit, Qantas would choose and encourage work groups to reduce agreed conditions,” O’Toole said.
In response to O’Toole’s criticisms, Qantas rejected that the reason for the crewing decision was the difference in risk entitlements and said the carrier had increased Kiwi crew’s rest entitlements from 24 to 40 hours.
A spokesperson said that Qantas has employed New Zealand flight attendants for than two decades and “given the longest leg of the flight to New York departs from Auckland, it makes sense for them to operate this service”.
“We’re hiring more than 1400 Australian-based cabin crew this year alone and promoting hundreds more as additional wide-body aircraft enter service, and we continue to ramp up international flying.”
The route will initially commence with three services a week and soon after increase to four. The crew on this service will have over two full days of rest before heading back to Auckland.
Find more details on the flight below:
- SYD-AKL Flight Time: 3 hours 5 mins
- AKL-JFK Flight Time: 16 hours 15 mins
- SYD-AKL-JFK Travel distance: 16,371 kilometres
Qantas’ Dreamliner carries 236 passengers across Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins in a layout that has been designed to maximise comfort for longer distances.
- 42 Business suites in a 1-2-1 configuration with a fully-flat bed and direct aisle access
- 28 Premium Economy seats in a 2-3-2 configuration
- 166 Economy seats in a 3-3-3 configuration
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
FAAA Flight Attendants Association of Australia qantas SYD-NY Teri O’TooleLatest News
TravelManagers wraps 2024 with festive fun and state strategy meetings
It has been a meeting of the minds in TravelManagers land across the c
TFE Hotels announces renovation of the Adina Town Hall Sydney
Sydney for work? Then this is the place to be. Still getting our head around Adina's Hotel Pentridge Melbourne.
An event producer’s take on Alma Resort – the ultimate MICE destination
Nestled along Vietnam’s picturesque southern coastline, the vibrant Alma Resort in Cam Ranh stands as a beacon for travellers seeking not only luxury and relaxation but also the perfect setting for corporate gatherings and events. This state-of-the-art resort, which has been rapidly gaining recognition for its world-class facilities, is now turning its focus to attract […]
APT Travel Group’s new Melbourne HQ sets stage for future growth
Almost 100 years as a tour operator makes us feel very new to the travel trade.
Tonight is the night! Industry braces for the 2024 Women in Travel Awards
We are so excited we could literally scream. Okay we are doing it, we are screaming!!!
Cairns Airport flying high for festive season
For a little airport there is a lot going on here as we recently discovered. Mark the next Traveldaze in your diary.
TravelManagers’ Danielle Goncalves on falling in love with Bali in 5 days
TravelManagers’ Danielle Goncalves can confirm that five days is more than enough time to fall in love with Bali. Goncalves was one of seven personal travel managers (PTMs) to visit the iconic destination with Hoot Holidays on their annual ‘Hoot Legends’ famil. As a longtime supporter of Hoot Holidays (a sister company to TravelManagers Australia), […]
Buckle up: Comedian Kevin Hart stars in new Qatar Airways in-flight safety video
As Kevin Hart talks about 100 miles an hour, we had to listen twice to take all this in.
Jetstar connects travellers in Cairns and the Sunshine coast for the first time
Jetstar flew its inaugural flight between Cairns and the Sunshine Coast last night, connecting families and friends just in time for Christmas. The new service will operate three times a week, increasing to four during the summer school holidays, creating an affordable link between two of Queensland’s most popular tourism destinations. Sunshine Coast Airport CEO Chris Mills […]
Emirates renews Australian Open support with five year commitment to tennis down under
Sure, five years is a big commitment, but think of all the free tickets Emirates' movers and shakers will be able snag!
Helloworld Travel Frontliners Forum wraps up in Singapore
The 2024 Helloworld Travel Frontliners Forum has wrapped up in style in Singapore as more than 500 attendees enjoyed the conference at the Marina Bay Sands Conference Centre. The conference was attended by agents from across the Helloworld branded and associate networks, My Travel Group and Magellan from across Australia and New Zealand, as well […]
The DARWIN200 conservation mission sails into Hobart
The DARWIN200 conservation mission aboard the Dutch tall ship Oosterschelde sailed into Hobart ahead of a programme of conservation projects. The Oosterschelde set sail from Plymouth Harbour, UK, in August 2023 on an epic two-year planetary conservation mission retracing Charles Darwin’s voyage of the Beagle and training 200 young environmentalists along the way. The aim was to inspire […]
ATIA safeguards members financial details ahead of FY24 accreditation-renewal period
The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) has its commitment to safeguarding the sensitive financial data of its members as preparations commence for the FY24 accreditation-renewal period. With members about to receive ATIA’s request for FY24 financials, ATIA has today provided members with an update on its robust privacy and data security measures. “ATIA takes its […]
Luna Park back in the hands of local owners after 20 years
That face may be iconic, but it doesn't stop it being scary AF.
Hong Kong hosts first-ever Leaders of Luxury
If you've visited HK, you'll know there's no shortage of lux shopping, but now they have the summit to match!
Philippines’ Department of Tourism launches its first dive experience
One to check out if you are a keen diver! See you under the water.
50 Degrees North unveils new tour maximising opportunities to see Northern Lights
We get the Australis Borealis down under, but the chances of catching it are akin to that of the Loch Ness Monster!
Spain becomes latest country to demand more information from tourists
What about the good old days where you could just travel around and lie about your identity? Or was that just us...
Telstra study shows that more than half of Aussies lack emergency plan
Apparently, screaming and praying doesn't count as a 'plan'.
TFE Hotels opens New Zealand Country Office
A big deal has been done across the ditch. We hope you read that in a Kiwi accent.
Qatar Airways ushers in F1 themed onboard offerings
Qatar's doing its best to give you the full Drive to Survive experience at 30,000 feet.
Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon draws over 55,000 participants
Given our performance at the City to Surf this year, we're not going to be adding to the numbers at the next marathon.
Quantum of the Seas returns to Brisbane this summer packed full of family fun
It's all fun and games on Quantum... And food... And drink... And everything else your family is looking for!
Become a France expert with Atout France and win a dream weekend escape
Whether you are a fan of escargot, or prefer a pain au chocolate, this experience ticks all the boxes.
Accor takes out accommodation chain of the year for third consecutive year
That's a hatrick for Accor, something the Aussie cricket team will be hoping to avoid in the second match against India!
Existing investors pick up Hurtigruten for €500M
If we had a cool €500M laying around, a cruise line would be our investment of choice too.
Jetstar launches cyber Monday sale with Sydney to Byron from $35
If you're still sat at your desk and not on a flight to Byron, then what are you doing with your life?
The Aussie holiday hotspot where airline ticket fraud is 2.5x more likely
Double check that ticket before you click on the 'buy' button.
GALLERY: Travel industry gathers in Sydney for Moana 2 screening
We know this event certainly helped the mums and dads of the travel industry earn some brownie points.
G Adventures reveals 2025 ‘Where to Travel’ list
If you needed any inspo on where to travel in 2025, then this is the list for you!
Brand USA partners with Luxury Escapes, takes over Chadstone Store for Thanksgiving Event
Between Black Friday and all the Thanksgiving events, we're starting to feel very American.
Defying Convention to Deepen Connections: Booking.com’s 9 2025 travel predictions
Here at TW we appreciate this nod to the Wicked film. If you haven't seen it - run don't walk.
Collette’s Black Friday Deals Extended to 11th December!
Black Friday is no longer a day. It is an entire period.
nib Travel launches ‘Holiday Hustle’ agent incentive
'Tis the season to be rewarded. This is the type of Christmas gift we like.
Celestyal F1 Doha trip offers triple treat for travel advisors and destination managers
Seeing Piastri snatch third almost made us want to jump onboard again for the next race.
Celestyal Journey debut and F1 race mark busiest week in Qatar since 2022 World Cup
A feast of options for cruise, fight and motor racing fans. It's a hot destination - literally.