American Airlines and Qantas to add new trans-Pacific routes.
Qantas and American Airlines have just announced plans to “significantly expand their joint business” by adding new flights between the USA and Australia.
The expansion will see a new carrier flying on the key Sydney-Los Angeles route, with American Airlines to operate three-class Boeing-777300ER aircraft between the cities on a daily basis effective 17 December 2015.
Qantas will also return to San Francisco after some years, with non-stop SYD-SFO flights to commence 20 Decemer 2015, initially on “peak days” and ramping up to six times per week in January next year using Boeing 747 aircraft.
“Pending regulatory approvals, this expansion represents the natural evolution of the collaboration between American and Qantas, with revenue-sharing and other agreements that provide the airlines with a platform for closer commercial ties and an even more seamless customer experience on routes between North American and Australia/New Zealand,” the carriers said.
They said the closer relationship also provides opportunities for future growth into trans-Pacific markets not currently served by either carrier, such as New Zealand.
The expanded Pacific partnership has just been announced by Qantas ceo Alan Joyce and American Airlines chairman and ceo Doug Parker during a media conference at the end of the IATA annual general meeting in Miami.
More details in today’s issue of Travel Daily.