Qantas reveals changes to its international network for 2025 as A380s return to service
Qantas will add one new destination and axe another as it welcomes back two more A380s in the year ahead.
Qantas has announced a raft of changes to its international network, including the addition of an exotic new destination, the axing of another and a return of the A380 on Sydney-Dallas.
Under the changes, partly enabled by next year’s long-awaited return of two Airbus “superjumbos”, Qantas will boost capacity by almost a quarter of a million seats over the course of 12 months.
The airline is expected to face greater competition from a Qatar Airways-backed Virgin Australia, including an extra 28 flights a week into Doha from July, pending approval.
In the coming months, Qantas will begin government-supported Brisbane-to-Palau flights using Boeing 737s.
Located in the western Pacific Ocean about six hours from Brisbane, Palau is made up of 300 islands and is best known for its scuba diving, fishing and birdwatching opportunities.
Currently operated by Nauru Airlines, Qantas will fly the “Palau Paradise Express” service weekly, and flights will go on sale in the coming weeks.
From June 2025, Qantas will exit Sydney-Seoul, leaving the route to partner Jetstar, which will increase its services from four a week to daily.
Other changes include the return of the A380 on Sydney-to-Dallas Fort Worth from August 2025 and the use of Boeing 787s as well as A330s on the Brisbane-Los Angeles route, providing greater access to premium seats.
Qantas plans to use its new A220s on Darwin-Singapore from March 30, operating five days a week, and introduce 787-9s to Brisbane-Auckland for the first time alongside 737s and A330s.
Brisbane-Noumea flights return in December after being suspended in April, and Sydney-New York via Auckland flights will be reduced from six a week to five from February.
Qantas International chief executive Cam Wallace said the changes amounted to more than 220,000 additional seats a year available on overseas routes.
“As part of our historic fleet renewal program, these changes are about having the right aircraft on the right route and responding to growing customer demand,” Mr Wallace said.
The return of more Qantas A380s, after maintenance and cabin modifications, would help with the planned capacity boost and demand for premium seats, he said.
“This growth is good news for our people and also allows us to offer more choice for our customers travelling around the Qantas network,” Mr Wallace said.
The decision to take Qantas off the Sydney-Seoul route was due to the predominantly leisure-based demand creating a “great opportunity for Jetstar to increase its frequencies”.
Sydney Airport welcomed the changes announced by Qantas, particularly the return of the 485-seat A380 to Dallas-Fort Worth.
It will be the first time since Covid-19 struck that the route has been operated by a Qantas A380, providing passengers with more options out of Sydney.
“The A380 has always been a passenger favourite so it’s great news that Qantas is returning it to their Sydney-to-Dallas route and the increased capacity will provide more choice for passengers travelling to and from the US,” said the airport’s aviation growth executive, Greg Botham.
“We’re equally excited to announce that Jetstar is enhancing its services to Seoul, increasing its flights from four to a daily schedule, making it the largest carrier to Korea from Australia.”
Jetstar executive manager customer Jenn Armor said the airline was the first low-cost carrier to fly direct from Australia to South Korea’s capital, in November 2022.
“Demand has grown significantly since then,” Ms Armor said.
T’Way Air, Korean Airlines and Asiana fly direct from Australia to Seoul, making it one of the best-served routes in and out of the country.
In August, South Korea represented Australia’s sixth largest source of short-term visitors, ahead of the UK, India, Hong Kong and Malaysia.
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