Qantas is boosting its international network with new aircraft and a new destination, as well as schedule changes which will better utilise its fleet and support growing customer demand in key Asia Pacific and US markets.
From February 2025, the national carrier will add around 220,000 seats to its international network over 12 months compared to its current schedule. This is made possible by the launch of its new Brisbane – Palau route, the return of two Airbus A380s following maintenance and cabin modifications, as well as the arrival of more next-generation A220 aircraft for QantasLink.
More seats to the United States
The changes will see Qantas boost capacity to the United States by 13 per cent, offering 30 per cent more premium seats for customers on long-haul flights with the return of more A380s to the network from next August. Customers will benefit from the return of the airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft to Brisbane, with the option of Premium Economy and more seats when travelling to Los Angeles and Auckland.
New route from Brisbane to Palau
The national carrier has also today announced it will add Palau to its map for the first time, operating weekly flights from Brisbane to the Pacific Island with its 737 aircraft*.
The service, known as the ‘Palau Paradise Express’ will operate as part of a contract awarded to Qantas by the Federal Government and will help maintain strong trade and tourism links between Australia and Palau. Qantas customers will also have access to a new leisure destination on the airline’s network, with Palau renowned for its pristine waters, unique marine life and a haven for divers and hikers.
The route is expected to commence in the coming months and flights will go on sale in the next few weeks.
Boost to new Darwin to Singapore route
QantasLink’s new A220 aircraft will make its debut on the international network when the airline commences flying between Darwin and Singapore in March. Originally due to launch with the Embraer E190, the larger 137-seat A220 will operate five times per week, offering over 70,000 seats on the route every year.
QantasLink has taken delivery of the first four of 29 A220 jet aircraft, which are steadily replacing its long-serving fleet of Boeing 717s as part of the Qantas Group’s fleet renewal program.
With almost double the range of the 717s, the A220 can fly between any two points in Australia and opens opportunities for new short-haul international routes, like Darwin-Singapore. The aircraft is currently operating on a number of domestic and regional routes.
Changes to Seoul flights
From mid-June 2025, Qantas will cease flying between Sydney and Seoul, while Jetstar will increase flights from four per week to daily. This swap will result in an overall increase in seats between the cities and better serve the strong leisure demand for the route.
A full summary of the changes is outlined below. Customers who have already booked on flights with schedule changes will be contacted directly in the coming days.
Qantas Group International CEO, Cam Wallace said, “We’re so excited to be offering our customers more than 220,000 additional seats on our network, a new international destination, and our brand-new A220 aircraft for our Singapore – Darwin flights, which will be the first of its kind to operate out of Singapore.
“We’re also looking forward to seeing more of our A380s return to the skies and offering more premium seats for customers to book to some of our popular international destinations. 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.
“One of the benefits of our dual brand strategy is the flexibility we have with our combined Qantas and Jetstar fleets.
“Qantas launched flights to Seoul after the pandemic, and now that demand has normalised, it’s grown substantially as a leisure market, opening up a great opportunity for Jetstar to increase its frequencies and allow Qantas to redeploy its aircraft to other routes where we are seeing strong demand.
“This growth is good news for our people and also allows us to offer more choice for our customers travelling around the Qantas network.”
