Airlines resume international flights from Australia
Singapore Airlines is the latest to launch flights for travel-starved Aussies. See what airlines have on offer now.
National
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Travel from Australia has been essentially banned since March 2020 - but now major airlines have announced they are resuming international flights, ending what has been referred to as the nation’s “hermit” status.
National carrier airline Qantas is bringing forward the resumption of international flights, putting on five flights a week from Sydney to London and four from Sydney to Los Angeles.
Virgin Australia hailed the “fantastic news for travellers, the aviation industry, and the thousands of businesses and communities in the state who rely on open borders and the economic injection that tourism provides”.
Here’s what the airlines are offering:
Qantas
The flagship airline will fly to London and LA from Sydney from November 1, as opposed to the previously flagged November 14 in the first international routes since the reopening.
It will also offer Singapore, Fiji and Vancouver flights from Sydney on December 18.
International flights will be limited to Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate families and parents, Qantas said, in line with the federal government’s restrictions.
Qantas will enforce Covid-19 restrictions for those travelling internationally.
The airline will only fly passengers (aged 12 and over) who are fully vaccinated with TGA-approved vaccines, unless they have a vaccine exemption.
Travellers will also need to return a negative Covid test (from an approved PCR testing site) no more than 72 hours before overseas departure.
“Bringing forward the reopening of Australia to the world and removing quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated travellers entering New South Wales is a massive step towards life as we knew it,” announced Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce.
“In just a little over two weeks, Australians around the world can fly into Sydney and people from around Australia can leave on trips they’ve been waiting almost two years to take.
“We hope other states will do the same once they reach the 80 per cent target,” Mr Joyce said.
Qantas did not elaborate on when it will offer international flights to and from other Australian cities.
Qantas’ lounges at Singapore, London and Los Angeles will open as the airline resumes overseas flights.
The airline closed its international lounges in March 2020 and grounded almost all international Qantas flights but is restarting its international network as Australia’s national vaccination rate hits 80 per cent and the country opens its borders.
Qantas’ lounges at key destinations will reopen as those flights return.
However, the Qantas Hong Kong lounge will remain permanently closed, with business class passengers, top-tier frequent flyers and Qantas Club members being directed to the lounges of Cathay Pacific.
Virgin Australia
Virgin Australia has also brought forward its overseas flights, with Fiji being the first destination available.
Sydneysiders can fly to Nadi from 16 December, one week earlier than previously flagged.
Travellers from Melbourne and Brisbane can fly to Nadi from 17 and 18 of December respectively.
“We’re pleased to bring forward the resumption of our Fiji services to better align with the start of the summer holiday period, making it easier for travellers to get to their destination in advance of the festive season,” Virgin said in a statement.
“We know Australians are excited to finally be able to travel overseas again which is evident by the strong booking demand we’ve experienced for our Fiji flights since the federal government announced the road map to reopening Australia to the world earlier this month.”
Fiji Airways
On the back of Fiji’s global reopening on 1 December, Fiji Airways has brought forward the resumption of flights to the South Pacific nation and will resume flying directly between Australia and Fiji.
Fiji Airways will offer daily flights between Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney and Fiji.
Air New Zealand
Quarantine-free travel to New Zealand from all Australian states and territories is suspended.
If you travel to New Zealand from Australia, all standard testing and quarantine measures apply.
Limited flights are operating from Australia to New Zealand but you must have a Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) booking to secure your seat.
If you are not eligible to travel quarantine-free, you will need to undertake 14 days of MIQ on arrival.
Most passengers arriving into New Zealand must register for managed isolation accommodation before they can be permitted to board their flight.
“We highly recommend registering for managed isolation before booking your flight ticket, to ensure accommodation is available for when you wish to travel,” said Air New Zealand.
Once you have registered for MIQ, a Managed Isolation Allocation System Voucher will be issued to you, and you will need to present this at check-in.
Singapore Airlines
According to the Straits Times flag carrier Singapore Airlines (SIA) will be adding passenger service on all of its weekly flights between Singapore and Sydney, in line with the border reopening in New South Wales next month.
SIA is currently operating one passenger flight a day to Sydney, but from Nov 1, all of its 17 weekly flights between Singapore and Sydney will be eligible for passenger sales for those that meet the eligibility criteria.
SIA said in a statement issued in Australia that it will open sales on its flights between Singapore and Sydney for eligible customers and support the return of more Australians and the reunification of family and friends.
Eligibility for the SIA’s Australia flights will be determined by the Australian Government.
But travellers must meet minimum requirements of being an Australian citizen or a permanent resident, be vaccinated with two doses of an approved Covid-19 vaccine, and have a vaccine certificate that meets Australia’s requirements.
Singapore Airlines regional vice president, Louis Arul, the announcement was “a welcome sign that Australia is beginning its journey to reconnect with the world”.
American Airlines
American Airlines is headed back to Australia, with the Oneworld member and Qantas partner now scheduling the return of its Los Angeles-Sydney route from early January 2022.
The US carrier had suspended the longstanding flights at the end of August 2021 due to Covid-19, but with the reopening of global travel, American Airlines has returned to the trans-Pacific corridor with a daily flight from LAX departing 4 January 2022 and the AA72 return leg from Sydney resuming on 6 January.
United Airlines and Delta have continued flying between Sydney and Los Angeles throughout the pandemic.
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