A revised network-wide schedule will be implemented to better utilise new and returning aircraft, with Palau added as a new destination.
Qantas will begin a major year-long program to boost capacity across its international network from Feb 2025, with 220,000 new seats to be added on the back of more A380s returning from pandemic storage.
As two of the superjumbos return to the fleet next year, the Flying Kangaroo will boost its USA capacity by 13%, with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner set to return to the Brisbane market, unlocking premium economy on flights to both Los Angeles and Auckland – the latter resulting in a 40% jump in capacity.
From 06 Feb, flights between Melbourne and Dallas will increase from three to four weekly, while Sydney to New York (via Auckland) will contract slightly from six weekly to five.
Qantas will also introduce direct flights between Brisbane and Palau, with weekly services to the South Pacific archipelago as part of a Federal Government contract to maintain trade and tourism links to the small nation, with a launch date for the new service yet to be confirmed.
New Caledonia will also return to the QF network from Dec after being suspended in Apr due to civil unrest in the South Pacific nation. An Embraer E190 will fly twice weekly, marking the debut of this aircraft on the route.
Conversely, Qantas will end service on its mainline between Sydney and Seoul, instead increasing service with Jetstar from four-times weekly to daily from Jun 2025 in a move aimed at better serving leisure demand for the South Korean capital.
Change is also coming to QantasLink, with the subsidiary’s new Airbus 220 aircraft to be deployed on services between Darwin and Singapore from Mar 2025. The larger aircraft replaces the Embraer E190 on the route which was originally meant to fly the route, a move which will add more than 70,000 seats each year.
More details in tomorrow’s issue of Travel Daily.