Brisbane to Los Angeles direct flights resumes in major win for Queensland tourism

International holidays and postcard photos are back as Qantas resumed its direct return flights from Brisbane to Los Angeles in a major win for the state’s hard-hit tourism sector.

The hustle and bustle of Brisbane’s international airport has return after more than two painstaking years of lockdowns and border closures which reduced it to a ghost town.

Qantas has resumed its commercial flight service between Brisbane and Los Angeles for the first time in two years in a major win for the hard hit tourism sector.

About 160 passengers jetted off on the QF55 flight which left the Sunshine State, due to arrive in the Golden State on Saturday morning.

Brisbane Airport Corporation’s executive general manager Rachel said the service would run five days a week with room to grow into a daily operation.

Ms Crowley expected other routes would open up on the back of strong bookings in the initial service.

“It’s one missing piece of the jigsaw puzzle, the direct connection to the US and that two-way traffic is so important,” Ms Crowley said.

Teneriffe’s Edwina Stott will be reunited with husband Danny when the flight touches down in the United States. Picture: Steve Pohlner

For Manchester ex-pat Edwina Stott, 30, the flight not only meant a reunion with husband Danny after two months apart but the see family for the first time since 2019.

“This is the busiest I’ve seen the airport in two years, it’s been a ghost town,” Ms Stott said.

“Danny’s sisters have had children we haven’t met yet.”

Nicholas and Erin Reggars with Hazel, 3 and Genevieve, 1 are flying back home to Portland on the direct flight which saved them six hours in the air. Picture: Steve Pohlner

For Portland residents Erin and Nicholas Reggars and their children Genevieve, 3 and Hazel, 1, the flight was a return home after a month’s holiday.

Mrs Reggars said the direct flight saved them about six hours in travel time.

Gold Coast’s Meghan and David Rogers with daughter Saffy, 13, are some of the passengers on board the first Qantas flight from Brisbane to Los Angeles which resumed on Friday. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Gold Coast residents Meghan, David and Saffy Rogers the flight was all fun – their first overseas trip since the pandemic.

Ms Crowley said she got goosebumps seeing the services resume and the passengers back.

“It’s been such a terrible time for everyone, especially our retail staff.”