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The Independent
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Australia's Spirit in the Sky: How Qantas is reimagining the journey Down Under
Let's be honest, Australia isn't just around the corner. But flying there doesn't have to be a stint of cramp-inducing naps and clock-watching. This is where Qantas comes into its own: Australia's largest airline makes getting to the other side of the world feel less daunting, and more like a part of your trip Down Under – and one that you actually look forward to. Touch down in Sydney and the best of Australia is right at your fingertips. From towering skyscrapers and vineyard-dotted hills to picture-perfect beaches and winding mountain trails, New South Wales is a perfect snapshot of the country in just one state – and with Qantas, exploring it all couldn't be easier. Who are they? The airline was born in the outback more than 100 years ago. It's known as the "Flying Kangaroo" and regularly lands on lists of the world's best airlines. Since its establishment, Qantas has truly levelled up the long-haul game, and these guys know how to make longer flights feel surprisingly easy – think of it as a duvet day in the sky: super comfy cabins, delicious food by Australian celebrity chefs, and award-winning wine from Australia's best vineyards. The Aussie airline also proudly operates one of the world's longest non-stop commercial flights, from London to Perth, and remains the only airline offering a direct flight between the UK and Australia. From Perth it's a comparatively short domestic flight into Sydney which, with its iconic harbour, pristine beaches, and a food scene that punches well above its weight, is the ultimate gateway to your Australian adventure. Project Sunrise Qantas is launching something very exciting and very convenient for us travellers: Project Sunrise, ultra-long-haul flights that'll take you straight from London to Sydney. Sure, it sounds long, but unsurprisingly, Qantas has thought of everything to make your journey Down Under feel like it's already begun at 35,000 feet. There are wellness zones for mid-flight stretching – goodbye neck cramps – ambient mood lighting for better naps, and food designed to help your body clock adjust. And of course, it's all delivered with that warm, easygoing Aussie hospitality: think friendly, down-to-earth service and a menu that showcases fresh Australian produce and wines. By the time you touch down, you'll already be in an Australian state of mind. Experts in long-haul Even before these next-gen routes take off, Qantas has been excelling in the world of long-haul flying since day one. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner that runs the Perth route is a dream with quieter cabins, bigger windows, and higher humidity to help you stay hydrated, so you feel like your best self on touchdown and can get the adventure started from the get-go. If you're heading to Sydney via Singapore, you'll fly on the spacious Qantas A380, complete with refurbished cabins, comfortable seating, and plenty of room to stretch out on the journey. They've nailed it food-wise: think seasonal Aussie produce like Margra lamb from Oberon in New South Wales and Bannockburn chicken from Gippsland, served with sommelier-selected Aussie wines. It doesn't matter if you're in Business or Economy, they've got you covered when it comes to wining and dining. Speaking of Business Class, as you'd expect, it's the height of luxury, including fully flat beds with 100% cotton bed linen, and big in-flight entertainment screens. You'll also get your own pair of signature Qantas pyjamas and Koskela collection amenity kits for a little pampering 37,000 feet up. If you're in Premium Economy, you'll get to enjoy extra legroom and a quieter cabin, while Economy is far from the bottom of the barrel with thoughtful extras and the warm, friendly hospitality that sets Qantas apart. The Qantas network Once you touch down in Oz, Qantas makes exploring a breeze. With the largest domestic network in the country, they fly to more destinations across Australia than any other airline. So whether you're chasing surf in Byron Bay, sipping wine in Orange, or hiking on Lord Howe Island, getting there couldn't be easier. If a 17-hour flight still feels like too much of a mission, Qantas also offers flights to Sydney via a stop in Singapore, so you can break things up and squeeze in a little extra adventure. After all, it is home to the best airport in the world, Singapore's Changi Airport. Flying long-haul doesn't have to be something you endure; with the right airline like Qantas, it's something to actually look forward to. Because let's be real, the best way to start a holiday Down Under is to feel like you're already there before you've even landed in Sydney.
West Australian
26-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Qantas bulks up New Zealand flights over peak summer holidays
Qantas will bulk up its trans-Tasman routes by an extra 60,000 seats over the peak summer holiday period. The 20 per cent boost in capacity throughout December and January will see the Sydney-Christchurch and Melbourne-Auckland routes gain seven additional flights each per week, with Sydney-Auckland getting six more. The Sydney-Wellington route will get five extra flights a week; Melbourne-Christchurch and Brisbane-Queenstown another three each; and Melbourne-Queenstown two more. The Flying Kangaroo said the increase would see it operate more than 3.3 million seats across the Tasman between January 2025 and January 2026, supporting tourism growth in both NZ and Australia. Additionally, Qantas the same day announced it would soon introduce its Boeing 787 Dreamliner on flights between Auckland Brisbane, bringing Premium Economy to the route and increasing premium seat choices for customers by up to 80 per cent. The 787 Dreamliner service will initially operate three times a week from August and increase to daily from October. This marked Qantas' second 787 service between Australia and NZ, in addition to flights between Auckland and Sydney as part of the airline's direct service to New York. Qantas international chief executive Cam Wallace said the increased capacity meant Qantas would have the most frequency between Australia and NZ in one of the busiest travel periods of the year. 'This capacity boost represents almost 60,000 more seats compared to last summer, giving our customers additional choice and more convenience as well as supporting tourism and economic growth in both markets,' he said. Tourism New Zealand regional director Australia Andrew Waddel said the extra flights across all four major ports would mean even more options for travellers to kick start their Aotearoa getaway. 'We know Australians are interested in exploring the country's tranquil coastlines, world-class cycling trails and unique food and wine, and the longer days and warmer weather make it a fantastic time of year to experience it all and more,' he said. It comes just weeks after Qantas revealed it would launch direct flights from Perth to Johannesburg and Auckland from early December. The flights would operate three times a week on an Airbus A330, offering 224 economy and 27 business class seats.
