Travel Industry News at TravelNewsAsia.com since 1997
Fri, 1 October 2021

Qantas to Resume International Flights in November; SYD-LHR and SYD-LAX First

Qantas will bring forward the restart of its international flights to 14 November 2021, following today’s announcement by the Federal Government that Australia’s borders will open in November.

The national carrier will operate thrice weekly return flights between Sydney and London, and thrice weekly return flights between Sydney and Los Angeles with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.

Once the Federal Government announces the exact date that Australia’s international borders will reopen in November, the commencement dates for the two routes may need to be updated. Qantas has said that flights will be brought forward if it is earlier than 14 November, or moved to later in the month if necessary.

Qantas Airbus A330 reg: VH-EBJ. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com Click to enlarge.

All flights on both routes for the first week will be ‘Points Planes’, meaning frequent flyers can access uncapped Classic Flight Reward seats across all cabins. Seats on those flights will also be available as regular flight bookings.

Fares are now on sale for Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate families and some visa holders. Fares start from A$1662 return for Sydney-Los Angeles and A$1869 return for Sydney-London.

Customers booked on the flights will have the flexibility to make ‘fee free’ date changes for travel until 31 December 2022, although a fare difference may apply. If flights are cancelled, customers may also be eligible for a refund or credit voucher.

As previously indicated, all passengers on Qantas’ international flights will be required to be fully vaccinated with a TGA-approved or recognised vaccine (some exemptions for medical reasons and children). They will also be required to return a negative PCR COVID19 test 72 hours prior to departure.

Customers on the flights will be required to home quarantine for seven days upon arrival into Australia, in accordance with the requirements of the Federal and New South Wales governments.

At this stage, all other international routes that were scheduled to resume from 18 December 2021 will continue as planned, although the airline has said that it has the flexibility to add additional routes if other states and territories decide to open their borders earlier and reduce quarantine requirements to seven days at home, or less.

The international flights remain subject to government and regulatory approval.

Qantas Group CEO, Alan Joyce, said, “The early reopening of Australia’s international borders will mean so much to so many people and it’s made possible by the amazing ramp up of the vaccine rollout. We know Australians can’t wait to travel overseas and be reunited with their loved ones, and literally thousands are waiting to come back home, so this faster restart is fantastic news. It also means we can get more of our people back to work, sooner.

“We welcome the Federal Government’s decision and the work by the New South Wales Government to facilitate the home quarantine approach that makes this feasible. We look forward to other States and Territories getting on board. We’d already sold out some of our international flights for December and seen strong demand on flights to and from London and Los Angeles, so we’re confident there will be a lot of interest in these earlier services.

“We know many frequent flyers have been stockpiling their points over the past 18 months to use on an overseas flight, so we’re making more seats available to be booked with points alone. Beyond the initial rush, the ongoing demand for international flights will hinge largely on what the quarantine requirements are. The shift to seven day home quarantine for fully vaccinated Australians with a negative test is a great step towards reducing this closer to what is becoming standard in many countries overseas, which is a test and release program.”

Qantas will continue to operate government-sponsored repatriation services as required, including home quarantine trial flights.

Philip Goh, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Asia Pacific, said, “This is a step forward. But more can still be done. The announcement of the November timeline and the removal of the international arrival caps are positive steps forward. The reduction of quarantine period and introduction of home quarantine for vaccinated Australians are also steps in the right direction. We welcome the use of rapid antigen tests for international travel. However, still more can be done. Realistically, the woes of the travel and tourism sectors will persist as long as passenger caps are retained for unvaccinated arrivals and quarantine remains even for the vaccinated. International travel recovery will be muted and restrained when quarantine remains.

“Ultimately, the need to quarantine should be removed for those who are vaccinated and who test negative prior to departure for Australia. We urge the Australian government to follow guidance from WHO on a risk-based approach. This includes relaxing measures and/or quarantine requirements for travelers who are fully vaccinated. And to provide alternatives for unvaccinated individuals through testing. A number of major states – the US, Canada, European states, have lifted quarantine requirements for international arrivals. Australia needs to work towards a similar approach. Airlines will also need more details if this is to be operationalized in November. Hence it is essential that the Australian government steps up its engagement with the aviation sector, to help airlines prepare for the safe and efficient re-opening of Australia’s borders.”

See latest Travel Industry News, Video Interviews, Pictures, Podcasts and other news regarding: Qantas, Sydney, London, Heathrow, Los Angeles.

Headlines: Marriott Opens Tallest Hotel in Australia - The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne  Sabre Enhances Airline and Hotel Solutions with Capillary Technologies  Marriott Signs Eight Hotels in Madinah, Saudi Arabia  Bernard Hartzenberg Moves to Cambodian Jungle as Executive Chef of Shinta Mani Wild  Bangkok and Pattaya Top Songkran 2023 Travel Searches on Airbnb  CentaraThe1 Partners Singapore Airlines' KrisFlyer  IHG Signs Three Hotels in Egypt  Finnair Buys 750 Tons of Sustainable Aviation Fuel from Neste  Marriott Opens First Tribute Portfolio Resort in Seychelles  Radisson Partners J7 Group for Two Hotels in Islamabad, Pakistan  Adrian Pulido Appointed GM of Hyatt Regency Danang  Four Seasons Promotes Shadi Suleman to Senior General Manager of Two Hotels in Qatar  Malaysia Airlines Launches EnrichMoney Visa Prepaid Card and App  TFE Hotels Expands Adina Brand to Geneva, Switzerland  More Flights to Asia; LH's A380 Returns; and New Airline for Munich Airport This Summer  Boeing Delivers First of Three 702MP+ Satellites to Viasat  IHG Signs Kimpton Hotel in AWC's Mega Mixed-Use Aquatique Project in Pattaya, Thailand  Minor Opens First Tivoli Hotel in Netherlands  Hong Kong Airport to Implement Carbon Management Platform from SITA  Accor Appoints Kerry Healy as CCO of Premium, Midscale & Economy Brands  Stunning St. Regis Resort Opens in Kanai, Mexico  IHG Signs 13 and Opens Two Holiday Inn Express Hotels in Europe  Hahn Air Appoints Arsenio (Zen) Cabanilla Jr. as RVP Agency Distribution  Air Canada to Launch Flights Between Montreal and Amsterdam, Netherlands  Wyndham Signs First Cruise Ship Resort in Asia Pacific  Virgin Australia Implements Sabre's Revenue Optimizer and Dynamic Availability Solutions  Australia's First Le Méridien Hotel Opens in Melbourne  Preecha Yarangwong Joins Holiday Inn & Suites Siracha Laemchabang as GM  Thai Airways Extends Validity of Expiring Royal Orchid Plus Miles  Marriott Signs Three Resorts on Sindalah Island, Saudi Arabia  Employees of Delta and Korean Air Make a Difference in Calauan, Philippines  Boeing Forecasts Increased Growth for Aircraft Finance in 2023  Two Saudi Arabia-Based Airlines Sign Deals for Up To 121 Boeing 787 Dreamliners  Qantas Frequent Flyers Can Now Use Points on All China Airlines Flights  Cebu Pacific to Launch Direct Flights Between Clark and Seoul, South Korea  Yotel Signs First Pad Outside America  Jetstar Asia to Change Terminal at Changi Airport on 22 March  Lauren Hobart and Grant Reid Appointed Independent Directors of Marriott  William Haandrikman Appointed MD of Two Accor Hotels in Singapore  Norwegian Air Ambulance Orders Two More Airbus H145 EMS Helicopters  Parkroyal Langkawi Resort Becomes Pan Pacific's 5th Hotel in Malaysia  Sabre Ancillary IQ to Help GOL Airlines Expand Revenue Streams  Hong Kong Airlines Now Operating Flights to Beijing's PEK and PKX Airports  Paul Stocker Joins Minor Hotels as Vice President of Operations for Southeast Asia  Idemia Launches Two New Biometric Solutions  Finnair Reaches Agreement with Cabin Crew  Lufthansa Partners SITA to Digitally Automate Baggage Re-Flight Operations  Elbit Systems Partners Nippon Aircraft Supply and Itochu Aviation  Westin Returns to Manila, Philippines  Thailand's Onyx Hospitality Outlines Regional Expansion Plans  Accor Opens 29th Hotel in Singapore  Vietnam Airlines Increases Flights to India; Mulls Mumbai Service  Hong Kong Airlines to Launch Flights to Fukuoka, Japan; Resume Bali and Shanghai  China Airlines to Launch Direct Flights Between Taipei and Prague, Czech Republic  ATR Appoints Bernard Marquez as Head of Quality  SunExpress to Expand Network with 26 New Routes  Mandarin Oriental to Open Stunning Luxury Resort in Costa Navarino, Greece  Global Air Traffic Increased by 67% in January 2023  Bangladeshi Airline Air Astra Signs Distribution Agreement with Sabre  Accor Signs Fairmont Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa  U-Tapao Airport Near Pattaya, Thailand Signs MOU with HKIA Consultancy  Norwegian Cruise Line Publishes 2024/25 Itineraries  Hi Fly Expands Fleet with an Airbus A330-200  Elbit Systems to Showcase Products at DSEI Japan 2023  Mandarin Oriental Singapore Closes for Major Renovation  IATA Reports Decline in Global Air Cargo Demand  Qatar Airways to Resume Flights to Phnom Penh and 10 Other Destinations  Hong Kong's Greater Bay Airlines Orders 15 Boeing 737-9 Aircraft  Finnair Becomes First European Airline to Distribute NDC Content Through Sabre  Thai Airways Confirms Summer Flight Schedule  Scandinavian Airlines Appoints Jason Mahoney as COO  THC Takes Delivery of First ACH160  Sixth Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Japan to Open in June  Radisson Signs Thailand's First Red Hotel  Gérard Pélisson, Co-Founder of Accor, Passes Away  One of the World's Longest and Most Advanced Metro Lines Now Fully Operational  Capital A Appoints CEO and CFO of airasia Digital  Michael McCartan Joins IDeaS as Area Vice President - EMEA  Undisclosed Customer in India Orders Two ACH160 Helicopters  Elbit Systems Sells 120th Hermes 900 Medium-Range Long-Altitude UAV  Marriott Signs Deal with AWC for First Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Phuket, Thailand  Los Pumas and Black Ferns Win Canada Sevens Gold; HK7s Pools Confirmed  Five Executive Appointments at Marriott  Kempinski Hotels to Implement Shiji's Infrasys Cloud POS  Julia Selyukova Joins Four Seasons Doha as Hotel Manager  Moomintroll and Snorkmaiden Feature on Special Finnair 100 Aircraft Livery  Avia Solutions Moves HQ to Dublin, Ireland  Bhasskaran Nimmala Joins Sublime Samui Villas as Asset Manager  Asia Pacific's Airlines Carried 17.2 Million International Passengers in January  Minor Hotels' Sixth Resort in Maldives to Open in April  UK Approves Korean Air's Merger with Asiana Airlines  Sabre Appoints Kurt Ekert as CEO  Marisa Fernandes Appointed GM of Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti  airasia Super App Launches Restaurant Queuing Service in Bangkok, Thailand  SAS Signs Sale and Leaseback Agreements with ACG for 10 A320neos  First Fairmont Hotel in Thailand to Open in 2024  Historic Hotel on Lake Como to Become First Ritz-Carlton Resort in Italy  Four Seasons Expands Private Seaplane Fleet with Flying Boxfish  Accor Pacific to Certify All Hotels, Apartments and Resorts as Sustainable Tourism Businesses  Philippine Air Force Signs Services Agreement with Embraer for A-29 Super Tucano  Qatar Airways Launches Advertising Campaign with Indian Actress Deepika Padukone  Executive Club Members Can Now Spend Avios on British Airways Holidays  Boeing to Develop Two New Variants of E-7 Airborne Early Warning & Control Aircraft  The Regent Hong Kong Accepting Room Reservations Following Major Renovation  Radisson Takes Over Resort in Cha-Am, Thailand  Jin Air Signs Distribution Agreement with Sabre  Hotels in Tokyo Report Strong Rebound in ADR  Norse Adds Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington D.C. to Schedule from LGW  Four Seasons Silicon Valley Appoints Daniel Garcia as Executive Chef  Egyptair Takes Delivery of First A321neo  Boeing Partners Łukasiewicz Institute of Aviation in Poland  Cathay Pacific Giving Away 80,000 Return Air Tickets  Ascott Opens 7th Citadines in Singapore  Korean Air Produces Cosmetic Pouches from Retired Life Vests  SalamAir Launches Flights to Mashhad, Iran; Will Launch Kazakhstan Service in July  VFS Global Reports 576% Increase in Visa Applications in Thailand  Cambodia to Host Mekong Tourism Forum 2023 in April  New Zealand Beat Argentina to Win Los Angeles Sevens  Boeing May End Production of F/A-18 Super Hornet Fighter Jets in 2025  Scoot Outlines Network Expansion Plans; Will Suspend Gold Coast Service in July  Thai Airways Testing Biometric Check-In Solution at Suvarnabhumi Airport  Qatar Airways Becomes F1's Global Partner, Official Airline and Title Sponsor of Three Grand Prix  Saba Landmann Joins Marriott as SVP Global Brand and Portfolio PR  Fanny Guibouret Moves to Japan as GM of Four Seasons Kyoto  Christian Zunk Appointed Group GM of MUU Hotels & Resorts  Virgin Atlantic to Suspend Flights to Lahore and Islamabad in Pakistan  Phenom 300 Named World's Best-Selling Light Jet for 11th Consecutive Year  Dusit Preparing to Open First Two Hotels in Japan  Kempinski Hotels Upgrades Booking Experience with Sabre SynXis  IHG Signs Sixth Hotel Indigo in London, England  Air Canada Launches Facial Recognition Trial at YVR and YYZ  Dao by Dorsett Signs Grade II Listed Building in Crouch End, North London  United Airlines Ventures Launches Sustainable Flight Fund  BCD Travel Expands Partnership with Amadeus  Dassault Falcon Unveils Cities to Host M&O Tour 2023  IHG to Take Over 53-Year Old Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand  Scoot Signs LOI for Nine Embraer E190-E2 Aircraft  Franck Droin Moves to Macau as GM of Mandarin Oriental Hotel  Air Astana Reports Record Numbers  Koh Samui, Thailand to Host International Beach Volleyball Tournament in March  IHG Signs Two Beach Resorts in Phuket, Thailand  Thai AirAsia Resumes Bangkok - Macau Flights  DSV Partners SAS Corporate Sustainability Program  Sabre Hospitality Expands Footprint in China with Tian Xia Fang Cang Partnership  Hong Kong Airlines to Operate Flights to Both PEK and PKX Airports in Beijing  Marina Bay Sands Becomes Largest Hotel in Singapore to be GSTC-Certified  Virgin Atlantic Implements Accelya's FLX Cargo Platform  Hong Kong Airport Reports Strong Passenger Growth  Four Seasons Chiang Mai Appoints Ashok Nair as Director of Rooms and Residences  Marriott Opens Dual-Branded Hotel in Salt Lake City, USA  Boeing Orders 5.6 Million Gallons of Sustainable Aviation Fuel  Routes Asia 2024 to Take Place in Langkawi, Malaysia  Amex GBT Renews Technology Agreement with Amadeus  Airbus Appoints Thomas Toepfer as CFO  Air India Resumes Mumbai - JFK Flights  Jetstar to Resume Flights Between Cairns and Newcastle  Hydrogen Consortium to Support New Zealand's Sustainable Aviation Goals  Wyndham Destinations Appoints Marta Grutka as Director of PR & Communications - Asia  bp enters South Korea Offshore Wind Market  Air India Signs LOI for 470 Aircraft  Tourism Australia Signs 3-Year Marketing Agreement with Singapore Airlines  Air Astana to Increase Almaty - Beijing; Resume Astana - Beijing Flights  Destination NSW Appoints Samar Chokshi as Country Manager - India  Norse Atlantic Opens Ticket Sales on Two New Routes from London Gatwick  IHG Opens First Vignette Collection Hotel in the Americas  JetBlue Extends Partnership with Sabre  Artificial Intelligence Flies Lockheed Martin VISTA X-62A for 17 Hours  Hotels in Bangkok Report Near-Record ADR  Jetstar to Increase Capacity Between Adelaide and Bali, Indonesia  Le Meridien Bangkok Creates Room Category with Round Beds  VFS Global Opens Fourth Mobile UK Visa Application Centre in Bangkok, Thailand  All Nippon Airways Expands Distribution Agreement with Amadeus  AirAsia Malaysia Expands Flights to China  Centara Appoints Pornchanok Thongrungrot as Corporate Public Relations Director  British Airways and Airlink to Codeshare  Marriott Signs Luxury Hotel and Executive Apartments in Suzhou, China  British Airways to Resume Flights to Mainland China in April  Singapore and Vietnam Airlines to Explore Codeshare Flights  Thai Airways to Operate 14 Flights Per Week to Mainland China in March  Sabre to Share Latest Travel Industry Trends at ITB Berlin 2023  Oetker Collection Appoints Imelda Shllaku as GM of Hotel La Palma in Capri, Italy  ASM Global Appoints Beverley Parker as Director of Marketing - Asia Pacific  Scandinavian Airlines Launches CPH - JFK Flights  HKRU Opens Public Ticket Sales for Hong Kong Sevens 2023  Centara Signs First Hotel in Japan  Noise Cancelling Ear Plugs for a Perfect Night's Sleep  Steven Howard Outlines Travel News Asia's Video and Podcast Plans for 2023  Amari Watergate Bangkok - 4K Video Interview with Sukamal Mondal, Area GM  Business Travel Trends in Asia Pacific - Video Interview with Brett Thorstad, Sabre  Pictures from Miss International Queen 2022 in Pattaya, Thailand  HD Video Interviews from Miss International Queen 2022 in Pattaya, Thailand  Is Siam Seaplane Ready for Take Off? Interview with Dennis Keller, Chief Business Officer  HD Videos and Interviews  Podcasts from HD Video Interviews  RSS Feed - Travel Industry News  Ticker - Travel Industry News  Travel Industry News Archives  Travel Trade Shows  High-Res Picture Galleries  Travel News Asia - Latest Travel Industry News 

Subscribe to our Travel Industry News RSS Feed Travel Industry News RSS Feed from TravelNewsAsia.com. To do that in Outlook, right-click the RSS Feeds folder, select Add a New RSS Feed, enter the URL of our RSS Feed which is: https://www.travelnewsasia.com/travelnews.xml and click Add. The feed can also be used to add the headlines to your website or channel via a customisable applet. Have questions? Please read our Travel News FAQ. Thank you.

     
Advertising
Advertising
Copyright © 1997-2023 TravelNewsAsia.com