Book flights, multi-city or round the world trips, search using our interactive map or redeem a Flight Credit. [72] Hans Hulsbosch worked on the 1984 logo update and proposed the strapline "Spirit of Australia", which had previously been used in marketing materials, should be added to the exterior markings. To capitalise on this event, Qantas ordered Boeing 737-800 aircraft, obtaining them a mere three months later. Grazier Fergus McMaster provides vital guidance and becomes the first Chairman. The Qantas kangaroo logo made its first appearance in 1944, painted on a Liberator to celebrate the renaming of the Indian Ocean Route to "Kangaroo Service". Discover the world with Qantas and our partners using our route maps. [6] The new airline commenced operations in December 1934 flying between Brisbane and Darwin using obsolescent DH.50 and de Havilland DH.61 biplanes. From joy-riding and charter work based at Longreach in western Queensland, a route network quickly developed. QantasLink takes delivery of its first Bombardier Q400 aircraft. Qantas acquires Impulse Airlines and merges it into QantasLink operations. Download our free online tools for individuals with dexterity limitation. [14] These aircraft were also deployed between Sydney and London in co-operation with BOAC, but were soon replaced by Douglas DC-4s. Qantas posts a record Underlying Profit Before Tax of $1,532 Million. The first jet service operated by Qantas was on 29 July 1959 from Sydney to San Francisco via Nadi and Honolulu. [citation needed], In 1998, Qantas co-founded the Oneworld alliance with American Airlines, British Airways, Canadian Airlines, and Cathay Pacific. Options for mobility and medical assistance and first-time flyers. British Airways sold its 18.5% stake in Qantas in September 2004 for £425 million, though keeping its close ties with Qantas intact. Qantas ordered twelve Airbus A380-800s in 2000 and was soon the third airline to receive A380s, after Singapore Airlines and Emirates. A Qantas Sydney-Tokyo civilian service begins. The first Qantas Boeing 767 enters service. [64], To account for a low Australian dollar and rising fuel costs, Qantas announced at the end of July 2013 that fuel surcharges on international flights would increase by A$75 (one way). After Italy entered the war in June 1940, this became the Horseshoe Route between Sydney and Durban in South Africa with South Africa – UK stage being by the sea. Before 29 October 2011, Qantas operated a significant number of international flights into and out of Singapore Changi, Auckland Airport, Brisbane Airport, Los Angeles International and London Heathrow airports. Qantas staff model winter uniforms in 1948, a year after the airline introduced its history making 'Kangaroo Route' on which meals were served and the travelling time from Sydney to … Qantas connects Australians with the rest of the world and with each other. [73][74] The 2007 revision was carried out by Hulsbosch Communications, leading a creative team that included input from Peter Morrissey, Neil Perry, and Marc Newson. Baggage, entertainment and dining included on every ticket. In 1966, the airline diversified its business by opening the 450-room Wentworth Hotel in Sydney. [36] Get ideas for your next trip or tick something off your travel bucket list. From an outback airstrip to becoming one of the world’s leading airlines, Qantas is celebrating 100 years as the Spirit of Australia in 2020. New Martin Grant uniforms are introduced for 14,000 Qantas staff. Earn Qantas Points on our huge range of accommodation options worldwide. In March 1960 the airline ordered six of the turbofan derivative, Boeing 707-138B, with delivery scheduled for the following year. Subscribe to Red Email for the latest flight specials. Qantas dropped its Southern Cross Route and Fiesta Route in 1975. [63], Paris-based Australian designer Martin Grant is responsible for the new Qantas airline staff uniforms that were publicly unveiled on 16 April 2013. Some of the busiest domestic air routes in the world are Australian. Request wheelchair assistance. Qantas was founded in Winton, Queensland on 16 November 1920 as Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited[1] by Paul McGinness and Hudson Fysh. [45], Qantas's main international hubs are Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. In 2019 Qantas launched 19-hour flights on a restricted payload between New York and London to Sydney with 787-9s. Later, Avro Lancastrians were flown on the route. The second A380, which was delivered in December 2008, increased the service frequency on the same routes. [4] In 1928 a chartered Qantas aircraft made the inaugural flight of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, departing from Cloncurry. The first Qantas Lockheed Constellation arrives in Australia and through-services from Sydney to London on the Kangaroo Route began in December. This inaugurates the world’s first Future Air Navigation System (FANS) technology, allowing aircraft to operate in areas without traditional radar coverage. It carried fresh fish from Normanton for sale at market prices. During World War II, Qantas operated flying boats on the Australia-England route in cooperation with British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC). [14] The first of the airline's Lockheed 1049 Super Constellations was delivered in early 1954. Qantas becomes the first airline to introduce cabin mood lighting to reduce jet-lag. This airline ceased operating its own-liveried aircraft in July 2006, with the staff operating Qantas services before being closed entirely in September 2007, with the staff joining the new Qantas base in Cairns. New Boeing 787 routes to San Francisco and Chicago are announced to begin in 2020. Country airline Regional Express will soon fly to Adelaide and the Gold Coast in a bid to challenge Qantas and Virgin Australia on more big-city routes. He retired as Sir Hudson Fysh KBE DFC, Chairman of QANTAS in 1966. The first Cloncurry-Mt Isa-Camooweal service carried fresh butter and ice to inland residents. The 5,652 km non-stop sector was the longest flown up to that time by any airline, with an average flying time of 28 hours. Gifts and Travel Products. Qantas is worried about us flying capital city routes, says Rex written by Adam Thorn | January 19, 2021 Rex first’s 737 in its new livery, VH-RQC, lands in … [11][12][13], In 1947, QEA was nationalised, with the Australian Labor government led by Prime Minister Ben Chifley buying the shares owned by BOAC, followed by those of QANTAS Limited. Qantas begins troop charter flights to Vietnam. The Sydney to Southampton service took nine days, with passengers staying in hotels overnight. Qantas launches a new staff uniform designed by Yves St Laurent. QANTAS Airbus A330-300 Fleet Maintenance History Maintenance stops of 5 days or greater and all maintenance stops at outside bases since 2012. [7], In 1990, Qantas established Australia Asia Airlines to operate services to Taiwan. The TAA network of 21,843 km was the world’s longest all-domestic air service. Because Qantas operates this hub-and-spoke model, there’s going to be a lot less variability in aircraft and fewer last-minute changes due to operational and economic constraints. Email Subscription. "Qantas Airbus 380 finally reaches Sydney airport", "Qantas A380 on maiden commercial flight from Sydney", "British Airways, Qantas Talks Fail on Ownership Split", "British Airways in merger talks with Qantas", "Qantas may ditch most first-class seats", "Qantas reduces first-class seats as profits fall", Australia Post finalises StarTrack acquisition, "It's hats off to new-age Qantas uniform", "Qantas changes the game with departure of first nonstop Australia-UK passenger flight", "Australia-UK: First non-stop flight arrives in London from Perth", "First non-stop scheduled flight from Australia to Britain lands after 17 hours", Qantas stake in Alliance Airlines raises concerns, Australian Competition & Consumer Commission, "New Logo Takes Qantas into the A380 Era", "John Travolta commits to personally deliver Boeing 707 to HARS", "Flying Kangaroo receives an update as Qantas prepares to welcome Dreamliner", "Qantas reveals new logo, livery and Dreamliner interior", "Evolving an icon: Changes to Qantas' livery", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History_of_Qantas&oldid=995939379, Articles with dead external links from June 2011, Articles with dead external links from May 2009, Use Australian English from February 2012, All Wikipedia articles written in Australian English, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2020, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2007, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 23 December 2020, at 18:02. The first scheduled mail and passenger flights from Charleville to Cloncurry in November. Qantas announces changes to create four business units within the Qantas Group; Qantas International, Qantas Domestic, Jetstar and Frequent Flyer. Qantas aircraft helped to evacuate the population of Darwin following Cyclone Tracy and to bring casualties from the Bali bombing in 2002 home. The airline successfully negotiated with Boeing to have the aircraft for which it had originally contracted. A new Qantas livery is introduced featuring a modern interpretation of the kangaroo logo by designer Marc Newson and the Houston Group. [65], On 24 March 2018, a Boeing 787 operated the first ever scheduled non-stop commercial flight between Australia and Europe. While waiting for these to be delivered, Qantas operated six deHavilland Comet 4 aircraft wet-leased from BOAC between 7 November 1959 to 30 May 1963. When Qantas began flying the Kangaroo Route in full in 1947, it used Lockheed Constellations. TAA took delivery of its first Airbus A300-B4, introducing wide-bodied aircraft to Australian domestic routes. In the 1984 livery, the Flying Kangaroo on the tail lost its wings[79] and the colored cheatline was dropped, but the tailfin color now extended onto the fuselage, similar to the livery of French airline UTA without coloured doors and a thin gold stripe on the tailfin's leading edge. Get the latest flight sales and travel reviews straight to your inbox. Each partner held 49%, with two per cent in the hands of an independent arbitrator. Earning points couldn’t be easier. The first Qantas flight hostesses joined the airline. They had recently completed the first overland motor survey of northern Australia by Model T Ford. Qantas Queensland and Northern Territory networks and flying doctor services were transferred to TAA. Jetstar begins operations to 14 destinations in Australia. Fergus McMaster joined them as Chairman, as did Arthur Baird to take care of aircraft maintenance. Qantas was founded in Winton, Queensland, on 16 November 1920 as Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited by Paul McGinness, Sir Hudson Fysh and Sir Fergus McMaster, the latter of whom was Chairman. Customised deals, dedicated account management support, saving plans and travel policies for large companies who fly a lot. [7], In January 1958 Qantas became the second round-the-world airline, flying Super Constellations west from Australia to London through Asia and the Middle East on the Kangaroo route, and east to London on the Southern Cross route. Grant consulted with Qantas staff members over the course of one year to finalise the 35 styles that were eventually created. The first two scheduled round-the-world Qantas Super Constellation services leave from Melbourne flying east and west., arriving back in Sydney. Whether you’re booking your next holiday or flying for business or pleasure, you could be earning points on all sorts of things with our partners. The Qantas hangar and flying boat servicing facilities were destroyed in the first Japanese air raid on Darwin on 19 February 1942. From 1943, 30-hour flights spanned the Indian Ocean between Perth and Colombo in today’s Sri Lanka. A few determined individuals overcame formidable obstacles to establish the Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Ltd (QANTAS). [61] The company blamed the figures on a drop in customer demand and said it was scrapping dividend payments. [49], In the wake of the Global Financial Crisis Qantas says it could "ditch" some first-class seats on some short International routes to maximise profits. TAA introduces Tourist Class travel on some routes. The Jetstar Group carries it’s 100 millionth customer since launching in 2004. Onboard were ten crew, including three pilots, one navigator, one radio operator, two flight engineers, and three cabin crew. In partnership with the British Overseas Airways Corporation, Qantas re-established services to London with Avro Lancastrian aircraft operating to Karachi where BOAC took over the service. Start your trip in the exclusive surrounds of one of our world class airport lounges. On some routes (such as Sydney–Honolulu) Jetstar supplements existing Qantas operations, but many routes are new to the network. Bruce became the first Australian Prime Minister to use an aircraft for official travel. Qantas celebrates 90 years of continuous service. In-flight Wi-Fi on Qantas Domestic service introduced. Qantas was contracted to operate the first flying doctor service on behalf of Reverend John Flynn’s Australian Inland Mission. Find out how to boost your businesses Qantas Points with a choice of American Express payment solutions. Also in 1966, the Fiesta route opened from Sydney to London via Fiji, Tahiti, Mexico City, Acapulco, Nassau and Bermuda. It also includes destinations served by Qantas subsidiary QantasLink.Terminated destinations are also listed. [35] Market share for Qantas immediately neared 90%, with the relatively new budget airline Virgin Blue holding the remainder. The first Qantas Boeing 747-238B enters service along with revolutionary low airfares. The last three 747-300s were retired at the end of 2008[49] and the 747-400 series have, at present, been gradually phased out since 2012, replaced by the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Use the Qantas App to book and manage your trip with features such as check-in, seat selection, boarding pass access, My QFF and more. Flight hostesses soon became one of the most visible, glamorous marketing symbols for airlines and Qantas was no exception. Passengers were awarded a certificate of membership to ‘The Rare and Secret Order of the Double Sunrise’. From June 1943, Qantas operated the only regular air service to Australia across the Indian Ocean between Ceylon and Perth. [33][34], The main domestic competitor to Qantas, Ansett Australia, collapsed on 14 September 2001. Qantas owns 44.5% of the new company. Imperial Airways operated the rest of the service through to London. Create sale alerts with the Qantas smartphone app or subscribe to Red Email. TAA took delivery of its turbo-prop Fokker Friendship and Lockheed Electra aircraft. (Royal Mail Aircraft) Canberra, at Darwin, c. 1934, courtesy Civil Aviation Historical Society collection In December 1947, with its new Lockheed L-749 Constellation aircraft in service, Qantas embarked on the first all-Qantas Kangaroo Route flight, from Sydney to London. Qantas builds a hangar at Eagle Farm airfield in Brisbane and opens a flying school. Several Boeing 747SP and Boeing 767 aircraft were transferred from Qantas service. The Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) was given a special 'wing wave' by a Qantas 747 this afternoon as the last of the airline's functioning fleet left Australia. Subscribe to Qantas Red email for the latest flight specials to be sent straight to your inbox. The airlines also work together to provide operational synergies to keep costs down. Boeing lengthened the aircraft by ten feet for all other customers, which destroyed the economics for Qantas Pacific routes. Sunstate Airlines and Australian Regional Airlines merged their operations in Queensland, retaining the name Sunstate. QANTAS Limited was then wound up. Qantas has a 46% shareholding in Fiji Airways. Australian Airlines acquires Eastern Airlines and Australian Airlink begins services from Brisbane with BAe 146 jets. TAA introduces its first jet aircraft, the Boeing 727. We believe the journey should be as exciting as the destination. With lots of ways to use your points, you’ll be sure to find something you like. "Koggala, Catalinas, and the double sunrise", "Australia/Asia/Europe during World War II", "Indian Ocean – New Guinea – Kangaroo Service – 1950–1946", "Historic First Qantas Jet to Return to Australia", "Oneworld: The alliance to serve the world takes off on February 1", "Ansett Airlines Shut Down; NZ Prime Minister Blockaded in Melbourne; Howard Returns to Parochial Political Realities", "Boeing Welcomes Qantas Decision on 737-800 Purchase", "Virgin Blue Announces Major Expansion Plans Australia's Second Airline Keeps More of the Air Fare", "Qantas Statement on Further B787 Delays", "Long-range 777 would let Qantas add nonstop London-Sydney route", "Qantas takeover bid appears to have failed", "Qantas and Australia Post buy Star Track Express", "Fiji Airways Cites Competition From Qantas In Tough 2019", "Qantas's final Boeing 747-300 heads for graveyard", "JTG to launch new brand called 'helloworld' - Travel Weekly", "Helloworld changes its name - Travel Weekly". [43], Although Qantas did not choose the Boeing 777-200LR, it has been rumoured that Qantas is still looking into buying aircraft capable of flying Sydney–London non-stop. [28], The Australian Government sold the domestic carrier Australian Airlines to Qantas in August 1992, giving it access to the national domestic market for the first time in its history. He retired as Sir Hudson Fysh KBE DFC, Chairman of QANTAS in 1966. Two Qantas Short Empire flying boats arrived at Rose Bay, Sydney. [56][57], On 2 December 2008, British Airways confirmed that talks were underway regarding a possible merger between the two companies. The same year, the Boeing 747-300 was introduced, featuring a stretched upper deck. TAA introduces its first jet aircraft, the Boeing 727. Qantas shares were first listed on the Australian Stock Exchange on 31 July. Brisbane-Darwin services were also resumed. The familiar smiles are waiting to welcome you onboard. [27], The Boeing 767-200 was introduced in 1985,[26] for New Zealand, Asia and Pacific routes. [58] However, on 18 December 2008, the two companies called off their merger discussions over ownership issues in the aftermath of a merger. The Qantas Super Constellation fleet flew 64 million miles around the globe. These were not taken up, and two Boeing 747SPs were ordered instead. Qantas took delivery of its first Airbus A330-200 aircraft. Qantas introduces Next Generation Check-in kiosks for domestic flights. The Hon R. Willis, Answer to a Question without Notice, House of Representatives Debates, 13 May 1993, p.775. [citation needed], On 14 December 2005 Qantas announced an order for 115 Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft (45 firm orders, 20 options and 50 purchase rights). The same year, Qantas placed early options on the new Concorde airliner but the orders were eventually cancelled. The alliance commenced operation in February 1999,[32] with Iberia Airlines and Finnair joining later that year. The Commonwealth established the Australian National Airlines Commission, the organisation behind Trans-Australia Airlines (TAA). Qantas operates a special passenger service to witness the re-entry of Apollo 11 after the first manned mission to the moon. Qantas Empire Airways changes its name to Qantas Airways Ltd. Qantas places the largest single order in its history for four Boeing 747-238B jet airliners at a cost of $123 million. This deal created a vertically integrated travel company with retail, wholesale and corporate sales arms. The design was adapted from the design on the reverse side of the contemporary one-penny coin. A Short Empire flying boat ‘Centaurus’ touched down on the Brisbane river at the end of a route survey flight. They looked after just 29 passengers who paid the equivalent of US$26,000 to fly from Sydney to London. It has many firsts to its credit including the world’s first Business Class cabin in 1979 and the invention of the slide raft now standard on all large commercial aircraft. The last Qantas Super Constellation aircraft retires. A new staff uniform designed by George Gross and Harry Watt is introduced. [72][77] Piston and turboprop aircraft later had tailfins carrying a red stripe with the Qantas wordmark within it and the flying kangaroo symbol from 1959 to 1971. Deals on Qantas flights across a range of Australian and international destinations. Qantas was privatised in two stages, first by a sale of 25% to British Airways in 1993 and the remaining 75% by public float in mid-1995. [23] In 1966 the airline diversified its business by opening the 450-room Wentworth Hotel in Sydney. The COVID-19 crisis has seen Qantas add more new routes in the last two months than in any other eight-week period in the airline’s 100-year history. Qantas becomes the world’s only all-Boeing 747 airline. TAA takes delivery of the Vickers Viscount aircraft, the first turbo-prop aircraft to operate in Australia. Qantas reserves delivery positions for ten supersonic airliners consisting of four Anglo-French Concorde and six US Boeing (2707) aircraft. The Boeing 747 fleet was upgraded from 1989 with the arrival of the new Boeing 747-400 series. Enemy action and accidents destroyed half of the fleet of ten when most of the fleet was taken over by the Australian government for war service. Aviation matters more in Australia than it does in most other countries due to vast travel distances at home and overseas. Qantas takes delivery of its first Airbus A380 aircraft. After the completion of the buyout, QANTAS Limited was wound up and liquidated to shareholders. Passengers received a certificate of membership to The Rare and Secret Order of the Double Sunrise as the sun rose twice during the flight. Qantas would concentrate on overseas services including internal New Guinea routes. Qantas has an international reputation for engineering excellence and safety. In 1958, Qantas became the second round-the-world airline, flying Super Constellations westward from Australia to London through Asia and the Middle East. Qantas Executive General Manager John Borghetti stated "the differences are subtle but distinctive ... our new flying kangaroo is sleeker and more contoured than the current version - a modern take on a design that has stood the test of time. Please refer to the current fleet list to see each aircraft's individual age. The vision for overseas expansion was achieved in 1935 with services between Brisbane and Singapore taking three and a half days using DH-86 aircraft. Spend some time cyber travelling through some of our most exciting local and international destinations below and decide on a luxury, romantic family holiday and more. Explore the world with our Qantas and partner airline route maps. A Qantas Boeing 747-438 establishes a world record non-stop flight for a commercial aircraft by flying from London to Sydney in just over 20 hours. Two Qantas Empire flying boats were shot down by Japanese aircraft in early 1942. Qantas owns 44.5% of the carrier. Rex plans to launch on the "golden triangle" routes of Melbourne-Sydney-Brisbane on March 1, challenging the Qantas and Virgin duopoly. In 1964 Qantas started a third route to London via Tahiti, Mexico, and the Caribbean, called the Fiesta Route. TAA becomes the first Australian domestic airline to carry more than four million people in a year. Disagreements led to Qantas approaching Imperial Airways and becoming the sole Australian carrier for the new UK-Australia passenger and airmail service. First Qantas Super Constellation arrives in Sydney and services to USA begin after Qantas takes over British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines. Sir Hudson Fysh retires as Chairman of Qantas after 46 years with Qantas. Shop for an exciting array of merchandise and exclusive Qantas products at retail prices. [78], To mark the arrival of the new 747 in 1971, the new Qantas livery made the Flying Kangaroo logo the dominant tailfin element and the cheatline color was changed to ochre. But not everything is reverting back to normal. Route: Freq (wk) & A/C: Flt Nbr: Melbourne – Sydney – Bangkok – Athens – Rome: 2 747: QF015/016: Melbourne – Sydney – Singapore – Bahrain – London Heathrow: 7 747: QF001/002: Sydney – Melbourne – Singapore – Bangkok – Rome – Belgrade: 1 747: QF015/016: Sydney – Melbourne – Singapore – Bombay – Frankfurt – Amsterdam: 1 747: QF005/006 1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps in Palestine, during the First World War. Qantas Empire Airways Limited (QEA) was formed by Qantas and Britain's Imperial Airways in 1934. TAA operates Australia’s first commercial helicopter service from Melbourne. [citation needed], In September 1956 Qantas ordered the Boeing 707-138 jet airliner and the first was delivered in June 1959. Constellation aircraft first flew all the way to London from Sydney in 1947 and Qantas routes circled the earth via both hemispheres from 1958. The airline will fly flight QF001 using an Airbus A380 to retrace the original route from the 1930’s. In 1944, Qantas Liberators were the first to carry the flying kangaroo symbol. The first of the 787s were originally scheduled to be delivered in August 2008, with the 787-9s coming in 2011. This historical map is a replica of the original and can be laminated if that's your thing. Also in 1967, Qantas Empire Airways changed its name to Qantas Airways, the name of the airline today. When to visit. The first of these flights was just the second east to west aerial crossing of the Pacific Ocean. [29] After a number of delays, the remainder of the Qantas float proceeded in 1995. In September 1965 Qantas launched the first V-Jet service on the Kangaroo Route, via Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Qantas introduces Boeing 707-138 jet services to Tokyo and Hong Kong. From the idyllic shores of Australia's North Queensland to the futuristic cityscape of Dubai, Qantas can get you there. [72] The aircraft of the initial 707 fleets were painted in 'Red Stripe' livery with white tailfins marked with the red "flying kangaroo" logo and the Qantas wordmark or aircraft registration as used on other aircraft since 1955. We can also print them in smaller sizes, just ask us what other dimensions are available. [3] The airline operated air mail services subsidised by the Australian government, linking railheads in western Queensland. [10][11], In 1944 the Catalinas were augmented by conventional Consolidated B-24 Liberators, flying from Ratmalana via RAF Minneriya for refueling and then across the ocean to Learmonth. A Qantas Boeing 707-338C makes the first non-stop flight from the USA to Australia by a commercial aircraft. Qantas announces the formation of a new international leisure airline, Australian Airlines. Eight of these options were exercised in 2006, bringing firm orders to twenty. It was, and remains, the longest passenger flight by elapsed time in aviation history. The first Qantas jet service was on 29 July 1959 from Sydney to San Francisco via Nadi and Honolulu. Ian Thomas, '"Luck" played a key part in float success', Australian Financial Review, 31 July 1995.