Qantas has snapped up retiring Wesfarmers chief executive Richard Goyder as a director as the airline seeks to bolster the strength of its board with the high-profile appointment.

Mr Goyder, who leaves Wesfarmers in November, is also the chair-elect of Woodside Petroleum and chairs the powerful AFL Commission. As one of the country's most high-profile business leaders, he will be seen as a strong candidate to succeed Qantas chairman Leigh Clifford.