94-791: Qantas Airways Limited , or simply Qantas ( / ˈ k w ɒ n t ə s / KWON -təs ), is the flag carrier of Australia , and the largest airline by fleet size, international flights, and international destinations in Australia and Oceania . A founding member of the Oneworld airline alliance, it is the only airline in the world that flies to all seven continents , with it operating flights to Africa , Antarctica , Asia , Europe , North America and South America from its hubs in Sydney , Perth , Melbourne and Brisbane . It also flies to over 60 domestic destinations across Australia. Qantas
188-415: A conglomerate owned by British and Australian shipping interests which had a virtual monopoly on the major trunk routes and received 85% of all government air transport subsidies. The Chifley government's view was summed up by Minister for Air, Arthur Drakeford : Where are the great pioneers of aviation? … We discover that one by one the small pioneer enterprises are disappearing from the register. It
282-410: A national airline or a national carrier , although this can have different legal meanings in some countries. Today, it is any international airline with a strong connection to its home country or that represents its home country internationally, regardless of whether it is government-owned. Flag carriers may also be known as such due to laws requiring aircraft or ships to display the state flag of
376-519: A 1-2-1 configuration. The Business Suite was introduced on the A330 in October 2014, and includes a Panasonic touchscreen eX3 system. By the end of 2016, the business class seats of Qantas' entire Airbus A330 fleet were refitted. Airbus A330 Business Suites are available on Asian routes, transcontinental routes across Australia and selected routes to New Zealand. Updated versions of this seat were fitted to
470-420: A forerunner of British Airways , formed a new company, Qantas Empire Airways Limited (QEA). In December 1934, the new airline began operations, flying between Brisbane and Darwin . QEA flew internationally from May 1935, when the service from Darwin was extended to Singapore. Imperial Airways operated the rest of the service through to London. When World War II began, enemy action and accidents destroyed half of
564-436: A full load of VIPs and just one paying passenger. The subsequent few years led to massive growth for the new airline. As post-war austerity gave way to a more affluent era, Australians were able to travel by air in ever-increasing numbers. Much of the growth in domestic aviation in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s was dominated by the rivalry between the privately owned Ansett-ANA and the government-supported TAA. A major factor in
658-649: A government monopoly. However, a legal challenge , backed by the Liberal opposition and business interests generally, was successful and in December 1945, the High Court ruled that the Commonwealth did not have the power to prevent the issue of airline licenses to private companies. The government could set up an airline if it wished, but it could not legislate a monopoly. Much of the press objected strongly to
752-406: A minimum of three years. The pilots of the last Boeing 747 flight to Mojave Desert via Los Angeles traced the shape of the iconic Qantas logo in the flight path before the jet continued on its journey. In November 2020, Qantas issued a public statement expressing their intention to require passengers traveling overseas to provide proof of COVID-19 inoculation. As per the statement made by Alan Joyce,
846-589: A number of other Jetstar-branded airlines in Asia, as well as Alliance Airlines and Fiji Airways . Qantas was founded in Winton, Queensland on 16 November 1920 by Hudson Fysh , Paul McGinness and Fergus McMaster as Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited. The airline's first aircraft was an Avro 504K . It moved its headquarters to Longreach, Queensland in 1921 and Brisbane , Queensland in 1930. In 1934, QANTAS and Britain's Imperial Airways ,
940-679: A purely international network. Shortly after nationalisation, QEA began its first services outside the British Empire , to Tokyo. Services to Hong Kong began around the same time. In 1957, a head office, Qantas House, opened in Sydney. In June 1959, Qantas entered the jet age when the first Boeing 707–138 was delivered. On 14 September 1992, Qantas merged with nationally owned domestic airline, Australian Airlines , renamed from Trans-Australia Airlines in 1986. Australian Airlines's aircraft started to be rebranded as Qantas aircraft in 1993. Qantas
1034-698: A seasonal service between Sydney and Rome (QF5 and QF6). These flights depart and arrive at the international terminal at Sydney Airport despite the Sydney-Perth segment of these flights being domestic. As Qantas is an Australian airline, it is permitted to carry, and sells tickets for domestic passengers intending to fly solely between Sydney and Perth. Due to this being the case, Qantas issues domestic passengers on these flights with an orange 'D' sticker that allows them to bypass customs and immigration, and passports are not necessary for these passengers. As of October 2024, Qantas had codeshare agreements with
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#17327765702851128-642: A service timeline showing when drinks and meals will be served and the best time for resting on long-haul flights. In 2024, Qantas selected Panasonic's OLED 4K 'Astrova' seatback screen to be equipped on its Airbus A350 fleet to be delivered from 2026. The entertainment system will feature "high-fidelity multi-channel spatial audio technology" and Bluetooth connectivity allowing for passengers to connect their personal wireless earbuds or headphones. The Astrova IFE system will also deliver 100 W of mobile device and laptop fast-charging via USB-C , available through all phases of flight. Flag carrier A flag carrier
1222-406: A true 'trans Australian' airline with services to Perth on the west coast of the continent, using Douglas DC-4 aircraft. Vickers Viscount turboprop aircraft were introduced in the 1950s and again proved immensely popular as a result of their smooth, vibration-free ride. Although government-owned, the Liberal conservative government of the 1950s had a philosophical leaning towards the needs of
1316-523: A week of frantic effort hiring staff, borrowing a tin shed at the RAAF base at Laverton because Essendon Airport had been turned into mud by heavy rain, creating operations manuals, passenger manifests, tickets, and load sheets — even making passenger steps and baggage carts because there was no time to buy them in the ordinary way — Captains Hepburn and Nickels took off from Laverton at 5:45 am bound for Sydney. TAA's first scheduled flight carried
1410-438: A year later with tickets stating in small print "Australian Airlines Limited trading as Qantas Airways Limited" until the adoption of a single Air Operator Certificate a few years later. At that point, the entire airline was officially renamed "Qantas Airways Limited" continuing the name and livery of the parent company with the only change being the change of by-line from "The Spirit of Australia" to "The Australian Airline" under
1504-619: Is the world's third-oldest airline by foundation date and the oldest airline in the English-speaking world — being founded in November 1920. Qantas is an acronym of the airline's original name, Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services , as it originally served Queensland and the Northern Territory . It is popularly nicknamed "The Flying Kangaroo" and has the official slogan "Spirit of Australia". Qantas
1598-429: Is a transport company, such as an airline or shipping company, that, being locally registered in a given sovereign state , enjoys preferential rights or privileges accorded by the government for international operations. Historically, the term was used to refer to airlines owned by the government of their home country and associated with the national identity of that country. Such an airline may also be known as
1692-595: Is available on all Airbus A330-300, A330-200, Boeing 787 and selected Airbus A380 aircraft. This audio video on demand (AVOD) experience, introduced in 2014 and updated in 2018 on selected aircraft, is based on the Panasonic eX3 system and features extensive entertainment options; enhanced touch screens; and communications-related features such as Wi-Fi and mobile phone functionality; as well as increased support for electronics (such as USB and iPod connectivity). The "my flight" feature offers access to maps, playlists, and
1786-728: Is available on all Qantas mainline passenger aircraft. Seat pitch is usually 79 cm (31 in) and seat width ranges from 43 to 44 cm (17 to 17 + 1 ⁄ 2 in). Layouts are 3–3 on the 737, 2-4-2 on the A330, and 3-3-3 on the B787-9. On the A380, the layout is 3-4-3 and there are four self-service snack bars located in between cabins. In 2019, Qantas began retrofitting its Airbus A380 aircraft with new Economy seats containing new seat cushions and improved inflight entertainment, as offered on Airbus A330 and Boeing 787 aircraft. The new aircraft will have fewer economy seats compared to
1880-651: Is based in the Sydney suburb of Mascot , adjacent to its main hub at Sydney Airport . As of March 2023, Qantas Group had a 60.8% share of the Australian domestic market. Various subsidiary airlines operate to regional centres and on some trunk routes within Australia, as well as some short haul international flights under the QantasLink banner. Qantas owns Jetstar , a low-cost airline that operates both international services from Australia and domestic services within Australia and New Zealand. It holds stakes in
1974-448: Is responsible for the current Qantas uniforms that were unveiled on 16 April 2013. These were to replace the previous uniforms, dubbed colloquially as "Morrissey" by staff after the designer, Peter Morrissey . The new outfits feature a colour palette of black, red and fuchsia pink. Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce stated that the new design "speaks of Australian style on the global stage" at the launch event that involved employees modelling
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#17327765702852068-589: Is the inevitable process of absorption by a monopoly. Air transport, the government believed, was primarily a public service , like hospitals, the railways, or the post office. If there was to be a monopoly at all, then it should be one owned by the public and working in the public interest. In August 1945, two days after the end of World War II , the Australian parliament passed the Australian National Airways Bill, which set up
2162-526: The Australian Airlines brand between 2002 and 2006 to serve the low-cost leisure market of visitors to and from Australia but using a full-service model, operating selected Qantas 767-338ERs – although the livery used was not the same as that used by the previous domestic operation. Up until World War II , Australia had been one of the world's leading centres of aviation. With its tiny population of about seven million, Australia ranked sixth in
2256-560: The Australian Capital Territory , Northern Territory and the external territory of Norfolk Island . In addition, Qantas also operates 'flightseeing' charters to Antarctica from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth in partnership with Melbourne-based company Antarctica Flights. It first flew these Antarctic flightseeing trips in 1977. They were suspended for a number of years due to the crash of Air New Zealand Flight 901 on Mount Erebus in 1979. Qantas restarted
2350-458: The Bermuda I and Bermuda II agreements specify rights awardable only to locally registered airlines, forcing some governments to jump-start airlines to avoid being disadvantaged in the face of foreign competition. Some countries also establish flag carriers such as Israel 's El Al or Lebanon 's Middle East Airlines for nationalist reasons or to aid the country's economy, particularly in
2444-612: The Commonwealth Bank board, the director-general of posts and telegraphs, and the assistant secretary of the Treasury. The commission was to be chaired by Arthur Coles . Coles was one of the richest men in Australia and the co-founder of the Coles Group . By this time, Coles had withdrawn from the active management of the family business. He was 'a great believer in competition for business' and would not have accepted
2538-562: The European Union with the signing of the Open Skies agreement. One of the features of such agreements is the right of a country to designate multiple airlines to serve international routes with the result that there is no single "flag carrier". The chart below lists airlines considered to be a "flag carrier", based on current or former state ownership or other verifiable designation as a national airline. Minority (20.05%) in
2632-736: The Flying Doctor Services of Australia by providing aircraft, pilots and engineers to ensure every emergency was answered quickly. Qantas had also been instrumental in the formation of the Flying Doctor Service. The airline's headquarters were located in Melbourne . In 1954 TAA became the first airline outside Europe to introduce the Vickers Viscount , and in 1981 it introduced the Airbus A300 ,
2726-528: The Lufthansa Group acquired in 2020 was sold in 2022. Trans-Australia Airlines Trans Australia Airlines ( TAA ), renamed Australian Airlines in 1986, was one of the two major Australian domestic airlines between its inception in 1946 and its merger with Qantas in September 1992. As a result of the "COBRA" (or Common Branding) project, the entire airline was rebranded Qantas about
2820-694: The Transport Workers Union of Australia resulted in the grounding of all Qantas aircraft and a lock-out of the airline's staff for two days. On 25 March 2018, a Qantas Boeing 787 flew non-stop between Australia and Europe, connecting the two continents by air for the first time, with the arrival in London of Flight 9 (QF9). QF9 was a 17-hour, 14,498 km (9,009-mile) journey from Perth Airport in Western Australia to London Heathrow . On 20 October 2019, Qantas Airways completed
2914-581: The ANAC as a going concern, including, if desired, his own services as managing agent. The asking price, the Commission decided, was optimistic, and Ansett declined a more modest counter offer. There was considerable correspondence between the Commission and Ivan Holyman, the Chairman of ANA, with a view to recruiting Holyman as General Manager of TAA at the princely salary of £10,000 pa, and, when that offer
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3008-456: The Ansett terminal when it went broke in 2002. Any third airline operating there had to make do with the regional airline facilities. At other airports the two airlines had leased mostly empty terminals and installed all operational furnishings themselves. The airport authorities eagerly accepted lease money from Compass while providing almost no space in their terminals. The ambitious new airline
3102-555: The Australian National Airways Commission (ANAC) and charged it with the task of reconstructing the nation's air transport industry. In keeping with the Labor government's socialist leanings, the bill declared that the licenses of private operators would lapse for those routes that were adequately serviced by the national carrier. From this time on, it seemed, that air transport in Australia would be
3196-610: The Century between late 1987 and 1994. Between 1980 and the merger with Qantas, selected teams participating in the Australian Touring Car Championship bore both Trans Australian Airlines (TAA) and Australian Airlines insignia, and from 1985 to 1990 the Seven Network commentary team used the airline to travel between the states to attend the various racing venues. By the end of the 1980s,
3290-521: The Federal Government level to offer both government-owned carriers, Qantas and Australian, for sale. Australian Airlines was offered first but was quickly snapped up by Qantas, which offered $ 400m to purchase the domestic carrier. Qantas then decided to merge the airline into its network. Subsequently the government offered the entire merged operation in a public float, after selling a cornerstone 25% stake to British Airways, returning Qantas to
3384-678: The Qantas group expanded into the Asian budget airline market with Jetstar Asia , in which Qantas owns a minority stake. In 2007, a similar model was used for an investment into Jetstar Pacific , headquartered in Vietnam, and Jetstar Japan , launched in 2012. In December 2006, Qantas was the subject of a failed bid from a consortium calling itself Airline Partners Australia . In 2008, merger talks with British Airways did not proceed to an agreement. In 2011, industrial relations dispute between Qantas and
3478-948: The Sydney first class lounge. Newson protégé David Caon , since 2016, has been enlisted by Qantas for product design. Caon has designed the cabins of current Qantas Boeing 787, A380 and A220 aircraft, as well as upcoming Airbus A350 and Airbus A321neo aircraft. Caon has also designed new international first and business lounges, domestic business and club lounges, regional lounges, furniture, and accessories. Furniture featured in Qantas first-class lounges and onboard has been manufactured by companies such as Poltrona Frau , Cappellini , Alessi , Tai Ping and Noritake . Qantas has also worked with Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre to conduct research to determine optimal lighting conditions to reduce jetlag on long-haul flights and improve comfort and health "before, during and after long-haul flights". Qantas has received various awards for design. Australian chef and entrepreneur Neil Perry has been responsible for
3572-485: The airline companies to employ overseas "strike breakers" but went even further, opting to pay the newly employed pilots from the public purse. The early 1990s changed the face of Australian domestic air travel. The Federal Government, although technically having deregulated the domestic aviation sector, made it effectively impossible for new entrant Compass Airlines to succeed. In 1987, the Hawke government announced that
3666-451: The airline's CEO, the presence of a COVID-19 vaccine would be considered indispensable for the purpose of travel. Joyce expressed their intention to potentially modify the terms and conditions, to specify that anyone traveling internationally must have a vaccination before embarking. Qantas also announced a cut of 2,000 jobs to limit its financial losses. In August 2021, Qantas required all of its 22,000 employees to be fully vaccinated against
3760-521: The airline's new Boeing 787 fleet from late 2017. Premium economy class is offered on all Airbus A380 and Boeing 787–9 aircraft. On the Airbus A380, the seat pitch ranges from 97 to 107 cm (38 to 42 in), with a width of 50 cm ( 19 + 1 ⁄ 2 in). On the Boeing 787, it is configured in a 2-3-2 seating arrangement, whereas it is in a 2-3-2 seating arrangement at the rear of
3854-482: The apportionment of aviation rights to local or international markets. Near the end of the 20th century, many of these airlines have been corporatized as a public company or a state-owned enterprise , while others have been completely privatized . The aviation industry has also been gradually deregulated and liberalized, permitting greater freedoms of the air particularly in the United States and in
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3948-449: The area of tourism. In many cases, governments would directly assist in the growth of their flag carriers typically through subsidies and other fiscal incentives. The establishment of competitors in the form of other locally registered airlines may be prohibited or heavily regulated to avoid direct competition. Even where privately run airlines may be allowed to be established, the flag carriers may still be accorded priority, especially in
4042-412: The carrier's new theme songs. In 1986, after a change of airline management, the name Trans-Australia Airlines was controversially dropped, in favour of Australian Airlines . Associated with this image change was a new livery for the airlines' aircraft, which wore the title "Australian". Australian Airlines was the travel sponsor for the television shows Neighbours , Wheel of Fortune and Sale of
4136-583: The country of their registry . For example, under the law of the United States, a U.S. flag air carrier is any airline that holds a certificate under Section 401 of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (i.e., any U.S.-based airline operating internationally), and any ship registered in the United States is known as a U.S. flag vessel . The term "flag carrier" is a legacy of the early days of commercial aviation when governments often took
4230-575: The darkest hours but was voted out at the first post-war opportunity. There was no certainty that the Chifley government would not be treated likewise, and the opposition was opposed to government ownership. Coles addressed the Commission at a meeting on 2 September 1946. Gentlemen, the Government wants us to start services as soon as possible. There is a Federal election on 28 September. If we don't have an airline up and running by then and Labor loses
4324-445: The domestic airline industry, in that it was a wide-body (twin-aisle) aircraft. It provided significant extra capacity on the trunk east coast network and to Perth . In 1986, Trans-Australia Airlines was rebranded as 'Australian Airlines' and the kangaroo returned to its livery. Its new image coincided with a very successful and popular television campaign: "You Should See Us Now", "Face To Face" and "The Way We Do The Things We Do" became
4418-438: The domestic market in 2000, Qantas' market share fell. Qantas created the budget Jetstar in 2001 to compete. The main domestic competitor to Qantas, Ansett Australia , collapsed in September 2001. Qantas briefly revived the Australian Airlines name as a short-lived international budget airline between 2002 and 2006. This subsidiary was shut down in favour of expanding Jetstar internationally, including to New Zealand. In 2004,
4512-471: The election there'll be no airline. We'll be out of a job. Any suggestions? After some discussion, it was agreed that the airline was not ready. It had a name, some excellent pilots, and some aircraft, but no ground facilities, no sales staff, no documentation, not even tickets. With a great deal of effort, it should be possible to make the planned start date of 7 October. With the discussion complete, Coles said: I have news for you. We start next Monday. After
4606-641: The first wide-body aircraft to be purchased by an Australian domestic airline providing TAA with a clear edge over a major competitor at the time, Ansett which had purchased instead, the Boeing 767-200 , receiving the type approximately a year later. Ironically, although the A300s were initially painted in full Qantas livery, they were phased out within a few years being replaced by previously international operated Qantas 767-238ERs, 767-338ERs and later supplemented by seven ex- British Airways 767-336ERs. Qantas revived
4700-675: The fleet of ten. Most of the fleet was taken over by the Australian government for war service. In 1943, flying boat services resumed, with flights between the Swan River at Crawley in Perth , Western Australia and Koggala Lake in Ceylon, now Sri Lanka . This linked up with the British Overseas Airways Corporation , BOAC, the successor airline to Imperial Airways, service to London. Qantas' kangaroo logo
4794-439: The flights in 1994. Although these flights do not touch down, they require specific polar operations and crew training due to factors like sector whiteout , which contributed to the 1979 Air New Zealand disaster. As of 2024, Qantas operates the following fifth-freedom services between the following cities: Qantas uses Perth as a transit point for its European services between Sydney and Paris (QF33 and QF34), as well as for
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#17327765702854888-571: The following airlines: Beginning in the early 2000s, Qantas began working with industrial designer Marc Newson on cabin interiors, product design and first-class lounges. This collaboration resulted in the introduction of the Skybed business class seat in 2003 and led to Newson being named as the first Creative Director of Qantas in 2006. Newson was responsible for the design of the Qantas A380 fleet which first entered service in 2008, as well as
4982-766: The friendly friendly way", whose lyrics and music were a variation on the 1967 song " Up, Up and Away ", written by Jimmy Webb and also used by the US airline Trans World Airlines . Further expansion occurred in the 1970s and larger 727-276s (simultaneously with Ansett) were acquired. Once again the terms of the introduction were restricted by the Two Airlines Policy. In 1974, TAA acquired a majority shareholding in Great Keppel Island . In July 1975 in partnership with Mayne Nickless it formed coach operator AAT Kings . In 1978, car rental company Kay-Hertz
5076-421: The government began to move towards deregulation of domestic aviation. Deregulation took effect in October 1990. A by-product of this impending change was the 1989 Australian pilots' dispute . As the result of prolonged wage suppression, this dispute saw the resignation of the majority of Australian Airlines' aircrew and the basic structure of the airline was changed forever. The Hawke cabinet not only encouraged
5170-575: The key figures in TAA's success. His first task was to travel to the United States to accept delivery of the DC-4s. He later wrote: To my utter astonishment Arthur Coles, after the expected pep-talk about the DC-4 assignment, said he was relying on me to find out what new equipment was being developed that would enable us to offer our passengers a better product than our established rival, at a competitive price. It
5264-541: The late 1960s it had a massive network crisscrossing the continent, as well as an internal network within Papua New Guinea and flights from Darwin to Baucau in Portuguese Timor . At this time the airline's livery was the famous white "T" on a blue tail, referred to as "The Look of the '70s". One of the more memorable television advertisements of the period was the jingle "Up, up and away, with TAA,
5358-642: The lead by establishing state-owned airlines because of the high capital costs of running them. However, not all such airlines were government-owned; Pan Am , TWA , Cathay Pacific , Union de Transports Aériens , Canadian Pacific Air Lines and Olympic Airlines were all privately owned, but were considered to be flag carriers as they were the "main national airline" and often a sign of their country's presence abroad. The heavily regulated aviation industry also meant aviation rights are often negotiated between governments, denying airlines access to an open market. These Bilateral Air Transport Agreements similar to
5452-452: The longest commercial flight to date, between New York City and Sydney using a Boeing 787–9 Dreamliner in 19 hours and 20 minutes. On 19 March 2020, Qantas suspended about 60% of domestic flights, put two thirds of its employees on leave, suspended all international flights and grounded more than 150 of its aircraft from the end of March until at least 31 May 2020, following expanded COVID-19 pandemic government travel restrictions. To survive
5546-495: The lounge on the upper deck. Complimentary access to both the first class and business class lounges (or affiliated lounges) is offered as well. Updated versions of this seat were fitted to the airline's refurbished Airbus A380 aircraft from late 2019. The seat features refreshed cushioning and larger entertainment screens compared to the older version. Business Suites are available on all Boeing 787, Airbus A330, and selected Airbus A380 aircraft. These seats are lie-flat and are in
5640-405: The merger with Qantas was seen as inevitable to give the latter a domestic network — and revive its bottom line — many former staff of Australian Airlines (TAA) and the general public mourned the loss of this iconic Australian brand. Although Compass was controversially and perhaps inevitably forced out of business, Australian's days, and those of Ansett, were numbered: the decision had been made at
5734-481: The next few months, all ex- Royal Australian Air Force aircraft originally bought by the Australian Government under lend-lease . In July, the Treasury released £350,000 to allow TAA to order four larger, more modern Douglas DC-4s in the United States, and Brain appointed Aubrey Koch (from Qantas) as Senior Pilot DC4 Skymaster and John Watkins as Chief Technical Officer. Watkins would become one of
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#17327765702855828-627: The onboard and ground based culinary offerings of the airline since becoming the director of food, beverage, and service in 1997, and currently Qantas' catering operations are supplied by dnata . In 2022, to celebrate the 25-year collaboration with Perry, Qantas reintroduced a selection of his most popular inflight and lounge dishes. Qantas is currently the only airline in Australia to offer complimentary meals, snacks and beverages on all domestic flights, including regional QantasLink services. Paris-based Australian designer Martin Grant [ fr ]
5922-566: The onboard soft furnishings. In August 2022, Qantas Airways announced plans to compete in June 2023 with Air New Zealand on the non-stop Auckland –New York route. Qantas flights would originate in Sydney, before flying in 2025 on a non-stop Sydney–New York route, as part of Project Sunrise. Qantas aims to eliminate the " tyranny of distance " by developing non-stop flight routes connecting Australian cities to New York City, and to London. In February 2023, Qantas announced soaring profits of A$ 1.7bn for
6016-688: The pandemic, Qantas axed 6,000 jobs and announced a plan to raise A$ 1.9 billion in new capital. Qantas offloaded its 30% stake in Jetstar Pacific to Vietnam Airlines , retiring the Jetstar brand in Vietnam. In July 2020, Qantas retired its last Boeing 747-438ER, after almost 49 years of continuous operation of the type—the first 747-238B was introduced in August 1971. All twelve Airbus A380s were placed in storage, ten at Mojave Air & Space Port and two at Los Angeles International Airport, for
6110-501: The post of Chairman of the ANAC had the monopoly provision been retained. The Commission decided on the name "Trans-Australia Airlines", applied to the Treasury for a preliminary advance of £10,000 and set about making plans, recruiting staff, and purchasing equipment. Reg Ansett , proprietor of the small Victorian company Ansett Airways was quick to offer to get the new airline off to a flying start by selling his entire operation to
6204-471: The previous configuration due to an increase in the number of premium seats. All Qantas mainline aircraft contain some form of video and audio entertainment. Qantas has several types of in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems installed on its aircraft. The "Total Entertainment System" by Rockwell Collins was available on selected domestic and international aircraft between 2000 and 2019. This AVOD system included personal LCD screens in all classes, located in
6298-404: The privately owned Ansett and the requirements of TAA suffered as a result. The controversial Two Airlines Policy was introduced and effectively seriously limited growth and expansion opportunities for the airlines without government approval. Flight numbers and schedules were strictly controlled, and TAA and Ansett-ANA invariably had flights departing airports for the same destination at exactly
6392-520: The revolutionary Sud Aviation Caravelle pure-jet but as Ansett felt this was too advanced at that stage for their own needs, both airlines were required to purchase the Ansett preference: the less advanced turbo-prop Lockheed L-188 Electra . The Electra proved a reliable aircraft and TAA continuously grew and prospered. In the 1960s it introduced Boeing 727-100 and McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30 Whispering T-Jets on primary routes as well as Fokker F27 Friendship Jetliner turboprops on regional routes. By
6486-546: The same time with exactly the same equipment. The policy was so strict that even newly purchased identical aircraft (one from each airline) were required on their delivery flights to enter Australian airspace at exactly the same time. The conservative government's benevolent attitude towards Ansett was epitomised in the 1950s when it forced TAA to swap a number of its popular turbo-prop Viscount aircraft with Ansett-ANA in return for slower and older, piston-engined Douglas DC-6Bs . In another instance, TAA had planned to re-equip with
6580-533: The same type of jewelry and have long hair in a ponytail or bun. First class is available exclusively on the Airbus A380. It offers 14 individual suites in a 1-1-1 layout. The seats face forward for takeoff, but can rotate to the side for sleeping and dining with 83.5in seat pitch (extending to a 212 cm fully flat bed) and a width of 74 cm (29 in). Each suite contains a 43 cm (17 in) widescreen monitor. In addition to AC power outlets, USB ports are also offered. Passengers are also able to utilise
6674-437: The seat back for economy and business class, and in the armrest for premium economy and first class. The Mainscreen System is available on selected Boeing 737–800 aircraft. This entertainment system, introduced gradually between 2002 and 2011, has overhead video screens as the main form of entertainment. Movies are shown on the screens on longer flights and TV programmes on shorter flights. A news telecast will usually be shown at
6768-477: The second half of 2022, after experiencing losses due to COVID. In a development described by ABC News as a "mammoth protest vote", on 3 November 2023 nearly 83% of Qantas shareholders voted against the airline's remuneration report. Qantas operates regular services from Australia to destinations in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America. Its domestic network serves all Australian states , along with
6862-474: The setting up of a public airline network, seeing it as a form of socialisation by stealth. With the bill suitably amended to remove the monopoly provisions, the Australian National Airways Commission came into existence in February 1946. The commissioners themselves were prominent high-achievers, including the director-general of civil aviation, the deputy director, a Labor party luminary and former member of
6956-719: The shutting down of Compass on 20 December 1991, 5 days before what would have been the immensely profitable Christmas travel period. A seemingly well-orchestrated plan saw the Compass aircraft quickly flown out of the country and, with them, potentially the demise of a truly deregulated domestic aviation sector. Ansett and TAA/Australian were the sole remaining players, in effect a de facto two-airline policy yet again. Throughout this period of transformation and deregulation, Australian Airlines continued its successful run by posting healthy profits, increasing passenger loads and gained much favour from its catchy television commercials. Although
7050-538: The small productive regions of Australia, regarded air transport as a matter of national importance (as did the governments of other geographically large nations, such as the Soviet Union and the United States). In the words of Director General of Civil Aviation AB Corbett: A nation which refuses to use flying in its national life must necessarily today be a backward and defenceless nation. Air transport
7144-786: The start of each flight. Audio options are less varied than on Q, iQ or the Total Entertainment System. The "iQ" inflight entertainment system by Panasonic Avionics Corporation is available on selected Airbus A380 and Boeing 737–800 aircraft. This AVOD experience, introduced in 2008, is based on the Panasonic Avionics system and features expanded entertainment options, touch screens and new communications-related features such as Wi-Fi and mobile phone functionality, as well as increased support for electronics (such as USB and iPod connectivity). The "Q" inflight entertainment system by Panasonic Avionics Corporation
7238-496: The stock market after being absent from listing since 1947. Qantas acquired Australian Airlines on 14 September 1992, in preparation for its closure on 30 April 1994. Subsequent to the merger, TAA/Australian's Boeing customer code '76' was replaced by the Qantas's customer code '38' for all subsequent Boeing aircraft deliveries, beginning with the Boeing 737-838. The majority of the Australian Airlines branding
7332-500: The success of the government airline was the wise choice of aircraft. After initially utilising the venerable and readily available Douglas DC-3 , TAA was able to acquire the revolutionary pressurised Convair 240 . Popular with the travelling public because of its ability to fly above much of the weather, it was really this aircraft that established the airline's reputation for excellence and service reliability. East-coast services were continually expanded and TAA soon earned its title as
7426-458: The then government-owned domestic air terminals would be effectively privatised and leased to the two domestic airlines. Compass, a threat to the TAA/Ansett duopoly, was granted severely limited access to terminal facilities. At Sydney Airport both major airlines had effectively been given freehold ownership of their two separate terminals. The Federal Airports Corporation later purchased
7520-640: The uniforms. Grant consulted with Qantas staff members over the course of one year to finalise the 35 styles that were eventually created. Not all employees were happy with the new uniform, however, with one flight attendant saying "The uniforms are really tight and they are simply not practical for the very physical job we have to do." In 2020 Grant also designed a Qantas branded athleisure-wear collection. Qantas declared in 2023 that it had ended uniform rules based on gender. Female flight attendants are no longer required to wear high heels, male flight attendants can wear makeup, and flight attendants of any gender can wear
7614-416: The upper deck on the A380. The total number of seats depends on the aircraft type, as A380s have 35–60 seats, (depending on the configuration) and 787s have 28 seats. In 2019, Qantas began retrofitting its Airbus A380 aircraft with new Premium Economy seats, as offered on Boeing 787 aircraft. The new cabin will gain 25 premium economy seats compared to the previous configuration. International Economy class
7708-559: The virus. In May 2022, Qantas ordered twelve A350-1000 aircraft from Airbus , to be used in non-stop flights from Sydney to London in late 2025. In the same month, Qantas agreed terms to purchase Alliance Airlines . In April 2023, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) opposed the takeover. By April 2024 Qantas had returned ten of its original twelve A380s to service, with all serviceable aircraft having undergone major refurbishment work to enhance
7802-474: The window line with the existing "Qantas" title appearing above. During its period as TAA, the company played a major part in the development of the Australian domestic air transport industry. The establishment of TAA broke the domestic air transport monopoly of Australian National Airways (ANA) in the late 1940s, and taking over the Queensland air network from Qantas. It was also at the time TAA supported
7896-508: The world for scheduled air mileage, had 16 airlines, was growing at twice the world average and had produced a number of prominent aviation pioneers, including Lawrence Hargrave , Harry Hawker , Bert Hinkler , Lawrence Wackett , the Reverend John Flynn , Sidney Cotton , Keith Virtue and Charles Kingsford Smith . Governments on both sides of politics, well aware of the immense stretches of uninhabitable desert that separated
7990-414: Was allocated by the government what were clearly the worst gates, in the least desirable sections of domestic terminals across the country (in some cases, Atco huts were used) and had to operate from the international terminal at Perth Airport . As the result of liens placed over the Compass aircraft (due to alleged non-payment of airways expenses), the government's Civil Aviation Authority effectively caused
8084-488: Was declined, of buying the near-monopoly airline outright. Holyman was not willing to sell, nor to work for a government-owned body, but was interested in setting up a "composite company", the details of which proposal remained unclear. Eventually, the ANAC proceeded with the original plan, to build an airline from scratch. One of the first people hired was Lester Brain , then the operations manager at Qantas . Brain had 22 years of pioneering aviation experience behind him and
8178-519: Was disbanded in 2006 and its assets were absorbed back into the Qantas group. Qantas currently allocates space at its Airport West Training Facility (formerly the TAA/Australian Airlines Flight Training Centre) for The TAA Museum. The museum displays artefacts from the life of TAA/Australian including service ware, uniforms, advertisements, and photographs and is open to the public during the week. Over
8272-475: Was encouraged both with direct subsidies and with mail contracts. Immediately before the start of the war, more than half of all airline passenger and freight miles were subsidised. However, after 1939 and especially after Japan's invasion of the islands to the north in 1941, civil aviation was sacrificed to military needs. By the end of the war, there were only nine domestic airlines remaining, eight smaller regional concerns, and Australian National Airways (ANA),
8366-553: Was first used on the " Kangaroo Route ", begun in 1944, from Sydney to Karachi, where BOAC crews took over for the rest of the journey to the UK. In 1947, QEA was nationalised by the Australian government led by Labor Prime Minister Ben Chifley . QANTAS Limited was then wound up. After nationalisation, Qantas' remaining domestic network, in Queensland, was transferred to the nationally owned Trans-Australia Airlines , leaving Qantas with
8460-481: Was gradually privatised between 1993 and 1997. Under legislation passed to allow the privatisation, Qantas must be at least 51% owned by Australian shareholders. In 1998, Qantas co-founded the Oneworld alliance with American Airlines , British Airways , Canadian Airlines , and Cathay Pacific , with other airlines joining subsequently. With the entry of new discount airline Virgin Blue, now Virgin Australia , into
8554-526: Was purchased in partnership with Mayne Nickless. In December 1980, TAA commenced operating a service from Hobart to Wellington in New Zealand under a Qantas flight number. The Two Airlines Policy was marginally relaxed in the early 1980s when TAA was able to introduce the Airbus A300B4 , whilst Ansett chose to purchase the Boeing 767 . The A300 was a revolutionary aircraft at the time for
8648-423: Was regarded as the man behind Qantas' reputation for technical excellence. He applied for the advertised position of TAA Operations Manager, but to his surprise and delight, was instead offered an appointment as General Manager — though at £3,000 pa, not the £10,000 that had been offered to Holyman. TAA acquired its first two aircraft in mid-June 1946, both Douglas DC-3s . A dozen more DC-3s would be added over
8742-470: Was removed during the merger and replaced with Qantas branding; for instance, Australian's Flight Deck Lounge became The Qantas Club. The sole remaining Australian Airlines brand identity – The Australian Way (inflight) magazine – was rebranded as The Qantas Magazine in 2016. In October 2002, Qantas revived the Australian Airlines brand as a full-service carrier, targeting the low-cost leisure market and flying primarily out of Cairns and Bali . This airline
8836-460: Was typical of Coles, who knew nothing about aircraft, to reason that quality equipment would be vital, and then select the best man for the job of finding it and be prepared to back his judgement. At this point, political considerations came to the fore again. TAA planned to start regular services on 7 October, but there was a federal election set for 28 September. Britain's wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill had been enormously popular during
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