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Qantas Release New International Flights Plan

snow action team 25.02.2021

Qantas has just released more details on their new international flight plans for the long-awaited comeback from COVID.

Key take outs are:

  • Flights to most international destinations to now resume late October 2021
  • Trans-Tasman flying to ramp up from July 2021 – subject to governments allowing this
  • New flexibility for international bookings, with unlimited flight date changes (see below)
Waiting for Qantas flight at Narita
Waiting for flight home this time last year at Narita © snowaction.com.au

Qantas and Jetstar are now planning to restart regular international passenger flights to most destinations from 31 October 2021 – a four month extension from the previous estimate of July, which had been in place since mid-2020.

The date change aligns with the expected timeframe for Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout to be effectively complete.

Capacity will be lower than pre-COVID levels, with frequencies and aircraft type deployed on each route in line with the projected recovery of international flying. International capacity is not expected to fully recover until 2024.

The Group remains in close consultation with the Federal Government around the reopening of international borders and will keep customers updated if further adjustments are required.

Qantas is assessing the use of digital health pass apps to help support the resumption of COVID-safe international travel. The CommonPass and IATA Travel Pass smartphone apps are being trialled on the airline’s international repatriation flights.

Santiago is one of 3 destinations not set to resume in October so no Portillo for us © Owain Price / snowaction.com.au

Qantas network

Qantas is planning to resume flights to 22 of its 25 pre-COVID international destinations including Tokyo, Los Angeles, London, Singapore and Johannesburg from 31 October 2021.

That puts most major northern hemisphere snow destinations back on our menus.

Qantas won’t initially resume direct flights to New York, Santiago and Osaka, but remains committed to flying to these three destinations. In the meantime, customers will be able to fly to these destinations under codeshare or oneworld arrangements with partner airlines.

Jetstar network

Jetstar plans to resume flights to all of its 13 international destinations. Frequencies will be adjusted in line with the projected recovery of international flying.

Trans-Tasman

Qantas and Jetstar are planning for a significant increase in flights to and from New Zealand from 1 July 2021.

The Group has the ability to respond to travel bubbles that may open.

Additional flexibility and extension of credit vouchers     

Qantas has today announced additional flexibility for international bookings to enable customers to book flights with confidence.

Qantas’ updated Fly Flexible policy (previously only available for domestic and Trans Tasman flights) now applies to international flights booked from today until at least the end of April 2021. The flight date can be changed to any available for sale at the time (up to 355 days in advance). Qantas will waive the change fee however a fare difference may apply.

Qantas has also extended credit vouchers to enable travel until 31 December 2023 on domestic or international flights, with Jetstar doing the same for vouchers issued due to COVID-19 disruptions.

Customers with international bookings impacted by cancellations will be contacted directly and offered alternatives.

Qantas have been big fans of non-stop routes – the 747SP let them fly to LA and San Francisco © Qantas