Qantas Group has provided an update on current and planned international capacity levels, as well as new and returning aircraft joining its fleet.
The group says it is now operating at around 80 per cent of pre-Covid international capacity levels, with this figure expected to reach 100 per cent by March 2024, and to increase beyond 2019 levels from July next year.
Increased capacity will be made possible by the recent delivery of three Boeing 787 aircraft, and the return to service of Qantas’ final A380s.
The carrier originally took delivery of 12 superjumbos, but has since retired two of these, leaving a total of ten in the fleet.
More than 250,000 additional seats are being added to schedules to and from Australia, across several routes:
- Sydney-Bali will see larger A330 aircraft replace the current Boeing 737 service from October
- Flights from Sydney to New York (via Auckland) will increase to daily from August 2024
- Sydney-Johannesburg will be operated by the carrier’s A380 for the first time from July 2024, nearly doubling capacity during peak periods
- Melbourne-Los Angeles will see more A380s on the route from July 2024, increasing capacity by 20 per cent
- Sydney-Los Angeles will increase from eight to nine flights per week from July 2024, operated by a mix of 787 and A380 aircraft
The news follows the previously announced return of Qantas’ Sydney-Shanghai service in October after a three-year hiatus, and flights from Brisbane to Honiara and Wellington launching in late October.
The group also reminded customers of the final extension to credits issued during the Covid-19 pandemic, allowing customers to complete their travel by December 2024.
Commenting on the news Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace said:
“Hundreds of thousands of extra seats on our network is great news for our customers planning their next overseas trip.
“We know our customers are looking for great value and this additional capacity will put more downward pressure on fares.
“The additional capacity will largely be made possible through our final two A380s returning to the Qantas fleet following heavy maintenance and cabin improvements.”
