Qantas Group gears up for busy end to 2023

Qantas Group gears up for busy end to 2023
Edited by Travel Weekly


Qantas and Jetstar are gearing up for a busy school holiday period, as travellers make the most of additional capacity and new routes.

  • More than 4 million customers are expected to travel during school holidays on Qantas and Jetstar
  • Demand remains strong with consumers continuing to prioritise travel
  • Eleven international routes announced or resumed since mid-May

The Group expects to carry more than 4 million passengers over the school holiday period. Top domestic leisure destinations include the Gold Coast and Cairns, while new international routes including Sydney-Auckland-New York and Perth-Rome are heavily booked.

Travel demand remains strong and data shows that consumers continue to prioritise travel over other spending categories. The Group remains on track to deliver the financial performance for FY23 outlined in its May market update.

Below is a summary of recent developments across the Group, with a particular focus on improving the journey for customers.

FLEET

The Group has taken delivery of six new aircraft since the start of calendar 2023.

Jetstar Airbus A321

This month, Jetstar received its eighth Airbus A321neo LR with a ninth due in July – towards a total of 18 to be delivered by the end of next calendar year. These aircraft burn up to 20 per cent less fuel and are up to 50 per cent quieter than previous-generation aircraft.

Qantas has received two new Boeing 787 Dreamliners since late April. A third aircraft, which will bring the 787 fleet to 14, is now expected to arrive in mid-July due to further delivery delays at Boeing.

Qantas Boeing 717.

Qantas’ eighth A380 is also expected to re-enter service in early July after engineering checks and cabin refurbishment.

Three QantasLink 717s have now been retired – representing 15 per cent of this fleet type – ahead of new Airbus A220s arriving later this year.

NETWORK

Qantas Group international capacity continues to climb back towards pre-COVID levels. Qantas and Jetstar have announced or resumed a number of routes over the past six weeks, including:

Qantas:

  • Sydney – Shanghai from 29 October 2023 – Daily
  • Brisbane – Wellington from 29 October 2023 – Daily
  • Brisbane – Honiara from 29 October 2023 – 3 per-week
  • Perth – Rome from 18 June 2023 – 3 per week/4 from October
  • Sydney – New York from 14 June 2023 –
  • Melbourne – Hong Kong from 20 June 2023 – 3 per week/4 from mid-July/Daily from October
  • Sydney – San Francisco from 23 May 2023 · 3 per-week

Qantas Group Domestic capacity is now back to pre-COVID levels. Qantas will increase domestic services from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island and Whyalla in South Australia.

Jetstar:

  • Brisbane – Osaka from 2 February 2024 – 4 per week
  • Brisbane – Seoul from 1 February 2023 – 3 per week
  • Brisbane – Narita from 31 October 2023 – 5 per week (Service swapped from Gold Coast)
  • Sydney – Rarotonga from 29 June 2023 – 3 per week
  • Newcastle – Cairns from 24 June 2023 – 3 per week
  • Brisbane – Ayres Rock (Uluru) from 22 June 2023 – 3 per week

Jetstar has also announced it will boost capacity on its Adelaide to Denpasar route, with two of the airline’s new A321neo LRs to be based in Adelaide, as well as increasing frequency on a number of routes, including:

  • Brisbane – Auckland from four return services per week to daily from 29 October 2023
  • Brisbane – Denpasar from seven to 10 return services a week from 1 February 2024

CUSTOMER

The Group continues to invest heavily in the customer experience as it switches from recovery to growth. Passengers are continuing to benefit from a number of new offers and initiatives:

Qantas has renewed calls for customers to use their COVID-era travel credits with a Double Qantas Points offer and launched a new ‘Find My Credit’ tool to help locate bookings that are up to three years old. It has also simplified the process for customers to request a refund.

In the past week, Qantas has launched sales on its domestic and North American networks, with more than 30,000 discounted fares snapped up by customers. The domestic sale ends on Friday.

Jetstar has also launched a number of sales across Australia and New Zealand, including its popular ‘Fly A Friend For Free’ campaign.

Passengers on some Qantas flights to and from Singapore, Bali, Jakarta and Manila can enjoy fast and free WiFi while over Australia. This is available on B737s and selected A330s operating across nine routes.

Qantas has recently expanded its Neighbour Free Seating product across 130 routes on its domestic network – or 70 per cent – following positive feedback on its trial. Planning is underway to expand the product to its international network.

Qantas recently unveiled the entire cabin design of its Airbus A350s, which will operate non-stop
from the East Coast of Australia to New York and London from late 2025, including a new wellbeing zone.

Following changes to its check-in, bag-drop and boarding gate closure times, plus improvement to supply chain issues for key aircraft parts, Jetstar has seen a significant improvement in its operational performance during June. The latest data shows Jetstar’s cancellation rate dropped again in the first three weeks of June, to be currently sitting around 2.9 per cent and its on-time performance has improved to around 70 per cent.

Latest News

  • News
  • Tourism

New Zealand Tourism Awards names shortlist

New Zealand Tourism has announced its shortlist for its 2024 tourism awards with 47 finalists being drawn from over 120 entries. Winners will be announced on Wednesday 6 November at the Awards Gala Dinner at Cordis Auckland. The awards have been set up to celebrate the very best of New Zealand’s tourism offering. It covers […]

  • Hotels

Hotel d’Inghilterra completes its extensive restyling

Hotel d’Inghilterra, the historic and unique accommodation landmark in Rome, has completed its rebirth with the iconic property enhancing its charm event further. Located just a few steps from the iconic Spanish Steps and the Via Condotti, the hotel’s innate elegance has been home of international patrons and Roman nobility since the mid 16th century. […]

  • Cruise

Oceania Cruises unveils its new brand value promise to all guests

Culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, Oceania Cruises, has unveiled its ‘Your World Included’  featuring an updated selection of always included amenities. The new offer cements the brand’s promise of ‘Your World, Your Way’ branding and as part of it, all guests will receive included shipboard gratuities for stateroom attendants, butlers, and dining waitstaff automatically in […]

  • Destinations

Adventure World unveils new Canada MAKE TRAVEL MATTER campaign

Adventure World has unveiled a new Canada campaign going beyond breathtaking landscapes and iconic sights and inviting Aussie travellers to MAKE TRAVEL MATTER by giving back to the destinations they explore. Through the innovative MAKE TRAVEL MATTER program, starting this month, travellers can add meaningful experiences to their Canadian adventures. Imagine participating in a wildlife […]

  • News
  • Tourism

Intrepid Adventures launches new travel show on Channel 10

Intrepid Travel has launched a new six-part travel series, Intrepid Adventures, premiering on Channel 10 this Sunday, 8 September. In partnership with creative production house, Sloane Media and the Moroccan National Tourist Office, the program shifts the spotlight from traditional tourist sights to the local guides and communities that bring each destination to life. The […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Luxury Travel Collection reveals ‘Leaders who Lunch’ series

The Luxury Travel Collection (LTC) launched ‘Leaders Who Lunch’ (LWL) with its first event today, bringing together an intimate group of luxury advisors with global luxury partner, Silversea. This new series of intimate, invitation-only lunches will connect influential global senior leaders from LTC’s luxury partner network, with a hand-selected group of members to nurture elevated […]

  • Cruise
  • Travel Agents

MSC Cruises hosts ’Deep Dive on Japan’ webinar

MSC Cruises has announced an exclusive webinar tailored for travel partners that offers an in-depth look at their Japan 2025 itineraries and more. The 20-minute webinar, followed by a 5-minute interactive Q&A session, is designed to provide travel partners with comprehensive insights into the popular destination of the Far-East and top selling itineraries. Japan and […]

  • News

World-first education initiative introduces “Guardian of the Reef” platform

Tourism Tropical North Queensland has partnered with Expedia in the US, UK and Australia to introduce the “Guardian of the Reef”, a world-first platform. Conservation curious travellers can visit the newly launched website and work through a series of short educational videos, each with a coupon reward system to use with Expedia bookings on the […]

  • Cruise

Explora Journeys announces godmother for EXPLORA II

Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle ocean travel brand of the MSC Group, has announced that environmentalist Rosalba Giugni as the godmother of their newest ship, the EXPLORA II. The ship’s official naming ceremony will be on 15 September 2024 in Civitavecchia, Italy and marks the latest addition to the Explora Journey’s fleet. It reflects the […]

  • Aviation

Malaysia Airlines launches direct flight to Paris

Malaysia Airlines has announced direct flights to Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris, marking a key milestone in the airline’s European expansion. This route, which will commence on 22 March 2025, represents Malaysia Airlines’ 68th destination, reinforcing its position as the gateway to Asia and beyond. In celebration of the route’s return after nearly […]

  • Hotels

Oasia Resort Sentosa unveils new room category and junior suites

The Oasia Resort Sentosa has unveiled its latest Courtyard Premier rooms and refreshed Junior Suites as well as a staycation offer for pet owners and their furry friends. Located on level two in the Palawan Wing, the 19 Courtyard Premier rooms each span 63sqm with a spacious alfresco area with bean bags and a dining […]

  • Hotels

Park Regis by Prince Singapore debuts under a new brand name following extensive refurbishments

The debut of the Park Regis by Prince Singapore marks the global expansion of Seibu Prince Hotels & Resorts since launching its new global brand identity in April. Following this rebranding of the property and extensive refurbishment, Park Regis by Prince Singapore is an urban oasis that effortlessly encapsulates the essence of its unique bi-culture […]