Outgoing Qantas CEO Alan Joyce reveals retirement plans

Alan Joyce has revealed what life will look like after he parts ways with Qantas after 15 years in the top job — and it doesn’t involve air travel.

Alan Joyce has revealed what life will look like after he parts ways with Qantas after 15 years as CEO.

And it appears the only thing on the outgoing boss’ mind is a cruise around the Antarctic.

Speaking on the sidelines of the International Air Transport Association AGM in Istanbul, Mr Joyce said he’s got big plans to travel after departing the spirit of Australia, though those plans don’t include air travel.

“I’m going to take six months off, decompress, not make any decisions, go for a cruise around the Antarctic believe it or not, go well away from any aircraft and then make my mind up about what I want to do after that,” Mr Joyce said, according to The Australian.

Qantas chief financial officer and CEO-designate Vanessa Hudson with current CEO Alan Joyce at the International Air Transport Association AGM in Istanbul. Picture: Robyn Ironside

Vanessa Hudson, who will be taking over Joyce, was also in Turkey, as well as chief customer officer Markus Svensson and sustainability chief Andrew Parker.

Meanwhile, adding to his to-list before he retires in November this year, is selling his controversial $20 million harbourside mansion.

Mr Joyce bought the stunning North Shore home for a whopping $19 million in May last year.

Soon after,he was forced to launch a ferocious defence of his extravagant spending habits after Qantas announced a shocking $1.9 billion loss.

Following his retirement at the end of the year, Alan plans to cruise around the Antarctic. Picture: Steve Creedy

He said he was tired of being forced to justify his professional and personal decisions.

“Why is it relevant what I do in my private life? I’m not a public figure. People regard the CEO of Qantas as like a politician and it definitely shouldn’t be. It’s a business figure,’ Mr Joyce told The Australian last year.

He is also readying to sell his $20 million harbourside mansion. Picture: RealEstate.com.au

Inside the Mosman home. Picture: RealEstate.com.au

“It’s been well reported over the years how much I get paid, so I do have the money because Qantas went to record profits and had a ­record share price.”

The long-term airline boss is set to sell his short-term blue chip pile in Mosman, overlooking exclusive Mosman Bay and move into a generous penthouse in the rocks, according to reports.

Fleet changes

All of Qantas’ Boeing 717s will be gradually replaced. Picture: Supplied

With Ms Hudson due to step into the hot seat at the end of the year, the airline is still on the hunt to find a replacement for her role as chief financial officer.

But the airline revealed here was no shortage of interest from people wanting to work for the company.

Mr Joyce said they had received 161,000 applications for 7000 jobs since Qantas ramped up its operations post-Covid — many of those from overseas, including pilots wanting to come home, according to The Australian.

It comes as more fleet changes have been flagged with its first Boeing 717 registered and flown in Australia leaving the airline’s fleet in June as all of them are gradually replaced with newer aircraft.

The plane – named Blue Mountains after the NSW national park – will be sold to another major carrier in North America.

Alan farewelled Australia’s first Boeing 717 in May. Picture: Supplied

Qantas said Blue Mountains was the third of the airline’s 717s to leave the fleet. All of QantasLink’s 20 Boeing 717s will be gradually replaced by 29 Airbus A220 aircraft – the first of which is due to arrive later this year.

The A220s have 27 more seats, can fly double the distance and are more fuel efficient. Qantas Group chief executive Alan Joyce said it was “the an end of era” for Boeing 717s.

“It’s fitting that the very first 717 to be registered in this country is making way for another brand-new fleet type, the A220, which can operate double the range of the 717s opening up new domestic and short-haul international routes,” Mr Joyce said.

“Qantas is in the early stages of the biggest fleet renewal program in its history, with up to 299 narrowbody aircraft spread over 10-plus years as well as the A350s that will operate our Project Sunrise flights.”

The Airbus A350-1000s are capable of flying non-stop from Australia to any other city, which are expected begin taking off from Sydney in late 2025.

The A350s, whose first and business class cabins were unveiled this year, will take around 20 hours to reach New York and London.