travel to australia qantas

Australia Recommends 2024

Come and Say G'day

G'day, the short film

Discover your Australia

Travel videos

Deals and offers

Australian Capital Territory

New South Wales

Northern Territory

South Australia

Western Australia

External Territories

The Whitsundays

Mornington Peninsula

Port Douglas

Ningaloo Reef

Airlie Beach

Kangaroo Island

Rottnest Island

Hamilton Island

Lord Howe Island

Tiwi Islands

Phillip Island

Bruny Island

Margaret River

Barossa Valley

The Grampians

Hunter Valley

Yarra Valley

McLaren Vale

Glass House Mountains

Alice Springs

Uluru and Kata Tjuta

The Kimberley

Flinders Ranges

Kakadu National Park

Eyre Peninsula

Karijini National Park

Great Barrier Reef

Blue Mountains

Daintree Rainforest

Great Ocean Road

Purnululu National Park

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park

Litchfield National Park

Aboriginal experiences

Arts and culture

Festivals and events

Food and drink

Adventure and sports

Walks and hikes

Road trips and drives

Beaches and islands

Nature and national parks

Eco-friendly travel

Health and wellness

Family travel

Family destinations

Family road trips

Backpacking

Work and holiday

Beginner's guide

Accessible travel

Planning tips

Trip planner

Australian budget guide

Itinerary planner

Find a travel agent

Find accommodation

Find transport

Visitor information centres

Deals and travel packages

Visa and entry requirements FAQ

Customs and biosecurity

Working Holiday Maker visas

Facts about Australia

Experiences that will make you feel like an Aussie

People and culture

Health and safety FAQ

Cities, states & territories

Iconic places and attractions

When is the best time to visit Australia?

Seasonal travel

Events and festivals

School holidays

Public holidays

How to get to Australia's most iconic cities

How long do I need for my trip to Australia?

How to travel around Australia

Guide to driving in Australia

How to hire a car or campervan

How to plan a family road trip

How to plan an outback road trip

Azamara, Sydney Harbour, New South Wales © Tim Faircloth

Getting here: find USA to Australia flights

Adventure awaits. Get ready to pack your bags and hit the sea or sky. Here’s our guide on getting to Australia.

Link Copied!

From the sun-soaked outback to the crystalline waters of the Great Barrier Reef, there are thousands of ways to see Australia. But first, you have to get here. You can reach our beautiful country in a number of different ways – enough to suit every budget, timeline and itinerary.

Learn more facts  about Australia  to help you plan your trip, including visa information, what to pack and more.

Reaching Australia by air

Qantas, Melbourne, Victoria © Qantas

Sydney airport, New South Wales © Destination NSW 

With a number of direct flights from the US and Canada to Australia, the land of koalas and kangaroos is closer than it's ever been before – a lineup of new and existing flight paths make getting here as easy as putting a shrimp on the barbie. Travellers can choose from a wide range of airlines, including Qantas ,  Delta , United , American Airlines , Air Canada ,  Hawaiian Airlines , and  Air New Zealand . Each airline travels to Australia using their largest aircrafts to ensure your flight will be as comfortable as possible.

Direct services typically depart from the west coast of the US and Texas, and easy connections can be made from the Mid- West and North America to most of Australia's capital cities, including Sydney , Melbourne , Perth , Brisbane , Adelaide and Darwin . If you're travelling from other cities across America, there are easy and convenient layover options to get you Down Under in no time.

The good news is, most flights leave just after 10pm. Just in time for a good night's sleep before rising Down Under for a typical Aussie breakfast and a flat white.

Direct flights to Sydney

Direct flights to melbourne, direct flights to brisbane.

We value all our airline partners providing flights to Australia. Flights schedules continue to change and be updated, so be sure to visit our airline partners for the most up-to-date schedules on departures to Australia.

Reaching Australia by sea

Circular Quay, Sydney, New South Wales © Hamilton Lund, Destination NSW

If cruising the open seas is your preferred way to travel, there are plenty of options for you to sail your way Down Under. There are a number of spectacular cruises, from 18 nights, that offer luxurious and comfortable ways to travel to Australia.

You can embark on a cruise to Australia from North American ports with operators including Celebrity Cruises ,  Cunard , Holland America , Royal Caribbean , Seabourn and Silversea . These cruises often offer packages that include many of Australia’s major cities and tourist destinations, so you can tick off a lot of your bucket list without even having to unpack!

More articles like this

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience.  Find out more . By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies.

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners of the land, sea and waters of the Australian continent, and recognise their custodianship of culture and Country for over 60,000 years.

• International (English)
• New Zealand (English)
• Canada (English)
• United Kingdom (English)
• India (English)
• Malaysia (English)
• Singapore (English)
• Indonesia (Bahasa Indonesia)
• Deutschland (Deutsch)
• France (Français)
• Italia (Italiano)
• 中国大陆 (简体中文)

*Product Disclaimer:  Tourism Australia is not the owner, operator, advertiser or promoter of the listed products and services. Information on listed products and services, including Covid-safe accreditations, are provided by the third-party operator on their website or as published on Australian Tourism Data Warehouse where applicable. Rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available prices of products and services. Please visit the operator’s website for further information. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars (AUD). Tourism Australia makes no representations whatsoever about any other websites which you may access through its websites such as australia.com. Some websites which are linked to the Tourism Australia website are independent from Tourism Australia and are not under the control of Tourism Australia. Tourism Australia does not endorse or accept any responsibility for the use of websites which are owned or operated by third parties and makes no representation or warranty in relation to the standard, class or fitness for purpose of any services, nor does it endorse or in any respect warrant any products or services by virtue of any information, material or content linked from or to this site.

American Airlines Vs. Qantas: Which Airline to Fly to Australia?

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here: Citi Prestige , Citi Premier® Card

Last week, American Airlines announced a transpacific partnership with Qantas that will include a new daily nonstop flight aboard AA's flagship 777-300ER from Los Angeles LAX to Sydney starting in December 2015. TPG Special Contributor (and frequent Qantas passenger) Eric Rosen takes a look at both airlines and the factors that should help you decide which to choose on your next trip down under.

The news that American Airlines would be launching an LAX-Sydney flight and Qantas would add service to San Francisco were both exciting tidings for frequent flyers, especially those of us based on the West Coast — it means more options for getting down to Oz. However, it also means more choices for redeeming your miles (since both airlines are in Oneworld, you can use American, British Airways and Qantas miles among others on either). That means it's more important than ever to know what you can expect onboard.

Here's a quick rundown and comparison of both airlines' classes of service, food and other amenities, upgrade options and more.

TRAVEL CLASSES

First things first — the seats: Where you're sitting will make a big difference (if not the biggest) to your overall flying experience. Here are the classes of service each airline offers along with the seat specs and layouts. (Note: For expediency, I've just included dimensions and configurations for Qantas' A380, but I'll note a few differences with the refurbished 747-400, as well.)

American: The economy seats in American's cabins are 17 inches wide and have 31 inches in pitch – pretty standard, though a bit on the narrow side. There are 220 of them in a 3 x 4 x 3 configuration, with the exception of a few exit rows, where there are just two seats on each side of the cabin. If you can, try to score seats in rows 20 or 31 for extra legroom. Each seat has its own VOD entertainment screen.

Qantas: Qantas' economy cabin takes up most of the lower deck (the first-class cabin is at the very front) of the A380 and includes 371 seats in a 3 x 4 x 3 configuration. Each has just 31 inches in pitch and is 17.5 inches wide and has its own VOD entertainment system. There are 275 of these seats on the refitted 747.

Winner: Tie. The seats are pretty much the same size, though you might prefer American's smaller planes.

Premium Economy

American: Not necessarily premium economy, per se, American's 777-300ER features its slightly more spacious Main Cabin Extra seats, though you won't get any extra amenities or better food than in regular old economy. Instead of a 3 x 4 x 3 configuration, these 30 seats are in a 3 x 3 x 3 arrangement at the very front of the economy cabin. Each has 36 inches in pitch standard, and is 18 inches wide. Main Cabin Extra passengers get priority boarding, which is a nice little perk — though you might not want to be on the plane any longer than necessary since the flight is so long!

Qantas: Depending on your aircraft, there are 32-40 premium economy seats on Qantas' international long-haul fleet. The supposedly ergonomic seats were designed by Marc Newson and built by Recaro. On the A380, there are 35 of these seats in the very back of the plane's upper deck in a 2 x 3 x 2 configuration. Each has between 38-42 inches of pitch and is 19.5 inches wide. On the 747, there are 40 of these seats with 38 inches of pitch and 19 inches of width ... so not as good.

They feature footrests and some extra room with wider center and side consoles as well as 10.6-inch personal touchscreen IFE systems. Passengers who book these seats also get to choose from a special premium economy menu from Neil Perry's Rockpool restaurant group, and have access to self-serve refreshment bars on the A380 and refurbished 747s. Passengers get a mini amenity kit with eyes shades, toothbrush and toothpaste as well as socks on request and larger-than-economy cotton pillows and blankets. Passengers also get priority check-in and boarding.

Winner: Qantas , since American doesn't really offer a distinctive premium economy product. That said, getting a Main Cabin Extra seat is usually a matter of around $200 each way even on international long-haul routes, while the price difference between economy and premium economy tickets on Qantas can be nearly $1,000 in some cases.

American: This aircraft features American's newest business class, and one of the most popular seat styles in the skies these days: a reverse herringbone layout, which offers aisle access for all seats and a fair amount of privacy for folks on the side of the cabin. In a 1 x 2 x1 configuration, each of these seats is a roomy 26 inches wide and has 43 inches of pitch while in the chair position, but reclines to a fully flat 78 inches. Their IFE monitors are 15.4 inches. There are 52 total in the cabin.

Qantas: Qantas' A380 features an almost all-business-class upper deck (premium economy is at the very back) in a 2 x 2 x 2 configuration, and not every seat has aisle access. The 64 seats are forward-facing pods designed by Marc Newson, with 78 inches in pitch and 21.5 inches wide. They recline to fully horizontal flat beds. Qantas' refitted 747s have the same business-class seats, only in a 2 x 3 x 2 configuration in the main cabin, and 2 x 2 in the very front of the plane and on the top deck (the two side seats in row 5 don't have anyone next to them, though). There are 56 business-class seats on this plane. The IFE monitors are a mere 12.1 inches.

Winner: American. Its business class is newer and a better hard product than Qantas', even though some of the softer amenities (see below) might be lacking.

American: When American unveiled its new 777-300ER, most folks were disappointed by the first-class cabin, which is barely an update on the old flagship first seats. Still, they're fairly comfortable, throne-like installations in a 1 x 2 x 1 configuration. Each is 30 inches wide and has 64 inches of pitch while seated and 78 when reclined to a lie-flat bed. The IFE monitor is 17 inches.

Qantas: Qantas' first class was rather swank when it debuted a few years ago, but the Middle East carriers as well as suite-style products on many of the Asian airlines (notably Singapore ) have made it look a little obsolete. Still, they're pretty nice, and, with just 14 aboard the A380, fairly exclusive.

Each is a semi-private pod and has 79 inches of pitch with 22 inches of width, with a large VOD touchscreen for entertainment and enough room to see another person fairly comfortably for dining.

Winner: Qantas , thanks to seats that are a bit more private and distinctive than American's lackluster product.

American: I don't think it's any surprise that the food American serves is ... less than compelling. In Main Cabin (economy), here's how American puts it: "We serve complimentary meals in the Main Cabin on flights to and from Europe, Asia, select flights to Latin America that depart within traditional breakfast, lunch and dinner meal windows." Presumably that will also be the case on flights to Oceania. There should also be some complimentary beer and wine choices. Passengers in business and first class can pre-order meals on certain flights to Europe, Asia and South America, so the Sydney flight will probably offer this choice, as well.

American's wines are chosen by consultant Ken Chase, though good luck knowing what's going to be on your plane, since the airline usually fields about 60 labels and 15 different lists depending on where you're flying.

Qantas: On the other hand, Qantas partnered with Aussie celebrity chef Neil Perry of the Rockpool restaurant group back in 1997 — pioneering the airline/chef partnership — and he now designs all the menus for first, business and premium economy classes. Business and first-class passengers can pre-order their meal within their reservation between seven days and 12 hours in advance of flying. First-class passengers have a choice of 12 main courses, or the option of an eight-course tasting menu, while business-class meals include three courses: a starter, main and dessert. Qantas also takes its wine program seriously and views itself as a sort of flying advertisement for the Australian wine industry and even produces a detailed wine guide for passengers.

Winner: Qantas.

Amenity Kits

American: American recently introduced limited-edition "heritage" amenity kits , each with the livery colors and logos of one of the nine airlines that have merged with American over its history, including TWA, Piedmont, Allegheny, America West and RenoAir, among others. The skincare products are by Akhassa in first class and Red Flower in business class. First-class passengers get (in my opinion, hideous) pajamas as well.

Qantas: The Aussie carrier's amenity kits in first class include SK-II products, while those in business class are stocked with ASPAR by Aurora Spa. Both business and first-class passengers are treated to "sleeping suits" emblazoned with the airline's kangaroo.

Winner: Qantas gets the slight edge here by treating premium-cabin passengers to pajamas.

There's nothing like stepping onto a plane and feeling like you're already at your destination … or getting one final experience of your trip, and this is where Qantas pulls ahead of American in the service category. While American's 777-300ER crews tend to be flight attendants with the most seniority, those aboard Qantas' A380s are younger and seem more dynamic, not to mention more energetic and welcoming.

I've actually had some great long-haul experiences on American with crews that could not have been nicer or more professional, so perhaps it's just a matter of personal opinion, but it's still just more fun to fly Qantas.

However, one major factor in American's favor is that its 777-300ERs are equipped with Wi-Fi, so if you need to stay in touch while in the air, that could be a big plus for you.

AWARD AVAILABILITY AND UPGRADES

This is bound to be a big one for all the flyers out there looking to redeem miles: Which airline is going to be better for booking awards?

The sad truth is, despite the addition of a daily flight from LAX-SYD on American adding several hundred more seats to those Qantas has on its two daily flights on the same route, it's probably not going to get much easier to book awards on either airline. In overall terms, much probably won't change since most of us were likely to use American miles to book an award to Australia on Qantas anyway — but at least now there's a choice of Oneworld carrier for us.

American hasn't added its flights into the reservations system yet – probably because they're pending government approval and won't start flying until December anyway – so that's making it rather difficult to gauge availability.

However, based on my experience booking Qantas awards, economy availability actually tends to be pretty decent; usually there's more availability flying from LA to Brisbane or Melbourne and then on to Sydney from there.

Business-class awards open up once in a blue moon, and by that, I mean just a handful of dates each year as far as I've seen over the past several years. The same is true of first class. That said, it's not impossible to find award seats; you just need to keep looking and be very flexible with your dates, as well as setting ExpertFlyer alerts so when seats open up, you can be the first to book them.

American: I'm just going to say one word: systemwides. That's right, if you or a buddy of yours is an Executive Platinum with some systemwide upgrades to spare, you can use them to bump yourself up from economy to business or business to first class, and that alone puts American ahead of Qantas both for ease of use and upgrade availability. Barring SWUs, you can use miles to upgrade according to this chart:

You'll notice that Australia is not yet included, but I think it should probably ring up at 25,000 miles + $350 each way from discount economy to business, 15,000 miles from full-fare economy to business, 25,000 miles + $550 from discount business to first, and 25,000 miles from business to first. Just keep in mind that you can book flat-out awards for 62,500 miles each way in business and 72,500 each way in first.

Check out this post on improving your chances for an upgrade on American.

Qantas: Qantas has its own mileage upgrade scheme, which you can learn more about here . To summarize it, though, you can request a Classic Upgrade Award on paid tickets on Qantas-operated flights from the time of booking up until 24 hours before your flight. You can upgrade from economy (excluding E, N, O, Q and X class) to premium economy or business, or from premium economy to business. Upgrades are considered up to 7 days prior to your flight depending on your elite level (those with no elite status will get up to 24 hours' notice, with upgrades clearing until time of departure), and are prioritized by elite status. As with Qantas' regular awards, the miles you need depends on how far your flight is. LA to Sydney is just under 7,500 miles, so here's how many miles you would need each way:

• Economy to premium economy: 45,000 miles (18,000 from full-fare economy)
• Economy to business: 72,000 miles
• Full-fare economy and premium economy to business: 45,000 miles

That might not seem like a great option, but remember that Qantas is now a 1:1 transfer partner of Citi ThankYou Rewards — so if you have the Citi Premier® Card or Citi Prestige , it's still one to consider.

Winner: American , thanks to the ease of using systemwides and having a mileage upgrade option as well.

Qantas arguably has a friendlier brand and absolutely better food and wine, but American's hard product in business class is the better option . Hopefully we'll see a bit better award availability as more seats are put into service on this route (though I'm skeptical). At the very least, American's entry into the market is another great option to have.

For more information, check out these posts:

How to Use Airline Miles for Award Travel to Sydney Destination of the Week: Sydney American Launching Service from LAX to Sydney, Australia Hotel Review: Park Hyatt Sydney City Sydney Restaurant Recommendations United GlobalFirst Review: Los Angeles – Sydney – Melbourne Flight Review: Virgin Atlantic International Business Class LAX-MEL [card card-name='Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® MasterCard®' card-id='22144516' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']

Introduction: A 24-Hour Trip To Australia On Qantas

I recently flew 15 hours from Los Angeles to Sydney only to turn around a day later and fly home. Blame complications at home plus an elusive first class award on Qantas for such a short trip Down Under. But I hope it makes for an interesting trip report…

1-Day Trip To Australia On Qantas

When Qantas released a glut of award space earlier this year, I was able to grab first class seats for my wife and me from Sydney to Los Angeles (115K AA miles each).  

I had flown first class on Qantas before from Sydney to Dubai and Dubai to London , but it had been many years and it had also been many years since I had visited Australia, one of my favorite countries on this beautiful earth (though perhaps not so much during the pandemic…).

So my wife and I decided to make a holiday out of it. She had never been to Australia, has German friends who live in Perth, wanted to visit Papua New Guinea, and wanted to scale the Harbour Bridge in Sydney.

Unfortunately, we had a little accident at home which messed things up and Heidi and I decided we would postpone our trip to next year (hopefully…).  

Rather than lose the Qantas first space (realistically, who knows if we will ever be able to book it again from a partner account…it was a risk I was not going to take), I decided to condense the trip from two weeks to one day…

I still had to get to Australia and booked a one-way ticket on United Airlines in economy class, applying PlusPoints to upgrade to Premium Plus (premium economy) or Polaris (business class).

Unfortunately, my upgrade did not clear…not even to premium  economy class.

So I canceled the United ticket and booked a last-minute Qantas ticket in premium economy for 55K American Airlines miles.

That flight turned out to be the most pleasant surprise of the trip.

I opted to spend the night at the Park Hyatt in Sydney , which remains a lovely hotel virtually unchanged from my last visit over seven years ago.

The following morning I rose early to fly back to LA, this time in Qantas First Class.

Here are the segments for this brief trip report:

• Qantas A380 Premium Economy Los Angeles – Sydney
• 24 Hours In Sydney
• Great Coffee In Sydney
• Park Hyatt Sydney
• Qantas First Class Lounge Sydney (SYD)
• Qantas A380 First Class Sydney – Los Angeles

Thanks for reading!

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

Introduction: A Priceless Anniversary Trip To French Polynesia

Springtime And Sustenance In Green Lake, Wisconsin

Introduction: Sleeping In Seattle

21 comments.

SYD-LAX in premium economy? Brave man, haha. Looking forward to this trip report!

Brave??? I know what you mean, but there were probably 350+ braver souls sitting in plain economy on his flight.

Bravo! Great trip to read about. I don’t like the idea of the NZ trip that is just flights,

“Unfortunately, my upgrade did not clear…not even to premium economy class.” This may be a YMMV thing but only once have I had an upgrade to PE clear. 99% of the time It’s an upgrade directly to Polaris or nothing at all. UA oversells PE and on some flights buy a significant number if there are a lot of Polaris seats open. I assume this is because they can generate greater revenue overselling PE and then upgrading some of those to Polaris. And as a result leaving the lowly 1K with their hard earned Plus Points high and dry.

sounds like a dumb trip. Just to experience Qantas First? That’s not something to “brag about.” If you’re gonna fly that far…

…just passed the 1 month mark on a bi-coastal Aus trip — heavy driving – just tallied my gas receipts for the past month – about $850 USD! Lots of parks, natural scenery, and camping – some hotels. Keeping big city time to a minimum. Stayed at the Park Hyatt Canberra recently and Hyatt Perth earlier. Also some nights @ holiday park cabins….something quite unique to Australia….at least in the options offered.

Only staying at US chain 5* hotels is very limiting/myopic. 20 years ago…I did the hostel thing….so know that angle as well.

….Tasmania next.

And environmentally inconsiderate. Not a badge of honor for sure.

L9l. Right. You know this is a TRAVEL blog right?

Buy I’m sure you’re right about the environment. No way they’d have flown those flights without him on there. Robert

Tasmania is awesome. When I’m retired, Ill do exactly what you are doing. In the meantime, if I have 4 days off and can squeeze 36 hours in HBA, I’m gonna do it. Don’t judge us for these quick trips. It’s all I can do for the next few years. The Tasman hotel was unbelievable. Have the lamb at Peppina. Its an excellent AMEX FHR value if you got the card.

Yes, I did the 1 night Tasman FHR thing. The very next 5 nights I was I camping at $0-$8 campgrounds.

Plenty of credit leftover after a dinner at Peppina! Used most of that the next day at the small lounge for lunch. The buffet bfast was very nice. Great atmosphere at Peppina. Eating lamb makes you a SHEEPle….just like eating CHICKEN….about being COWardly….

better to be a COWard then a CHICKEN or a SHEEPle. Haven’t eaten lamb or chicken in 10+ years.

One thing I didn’t like about the Water View King Room I had (Great view!) was that the windows don’t open at all. Forced ventilation from the overhead vent…

Complete disregard to the environmental impact. Another pointless, self-serving trip.

Boy you would hate my travel history. I go on turns after work just for fun. Plane is going with or without me. Don’t see how my 200lbs of extra fuel burn and pretzel consumption really is melting the icecaps much faster.

Gotta love these environment/climate change scolds. Just like 17th Century Puritans. Our way or the gallows.

Much like Christian Nationalism in the US, no?

Just stop. Not the place.

I’m very excited for this trip report!

Where is the rest of it?

So glad you seized the opportunity even though it was a very short stay. Look forward to reading you report!

I just did Tasmania for a day and a half from DFW. It didn’t go totally as planned.

Nov 29 DFW LAS AA 1880 LAS LAX AA 739 LAX SYD AA73 (Biz)

Dec 1 SYD HBA JQ 721

Dec 2 HBA CBR JQ724 (Diverted due to thunderstorms at SYD – Spent the night on the floor. AA 72 plan scuttled)

Dec 3 CBR-MEL QF 1511 MEL-DFW QF 21 – Skycouch – 3 seats to myself in Y – Made a nest and slept like a baby.

I LOVED Tasmania and definitely headed back.

Sounds a bit conspiracy theory-esque. Australia was unbelievably safe during the pandemic and our response was efficient and extremely popular and saved many souls. There was so much crap info coming out of US gutter journalism which this guy obviously digested.

I don’t believe in lockdowns, period. But I certainly concede that your response was successful and popular and I am happy to be able to return to your country.

can’t compare apples to pears. re: C19

Australia has a much higher UV-B year round…the virus killer.

Less very dark skinned folks? Dark skinned folks need more equivalent UV.

Check ODYSEE/RUMBLE — Covid Vaccines: Saviour or Death

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Privacy Policy

London Air Travel

London's airlines, airports and routes.

From Twelve Days To Non-Stop In 20 Hours

How flying between the UK and Australia has evolved from the first flights in 1935 which took more than 12 days.

London Air Travel » Aviation History And Nostalgia » From Twelve Days To Non-Stop In 20 Hours

Qantas will fly non-stop from London Heathrow to Sydney from 2026.

For Qantas this represents one of the final frontiers of civil aviation: non-stop flights to anywhere in Australia from the world’s major cities.

It will also mark 90 years of radical evolution of civil aviation between the UK and Australia.

From one flight a week taking 12 and a half days to up to four daily non-stop flights Australia in 20 hours, here’s how flying from the UK to Australia has evolved from 1935 onwards.

Quick Links

The First Passenger Flights

Together with British Airways’ predecessor airlines Imperial Airways and BOAC, Qantas pioneered the first passenger flights between the UK and Australia from the 1930s.

On 8 December 1934, the first UK to Australia mail service began. This was operated by Imperial Airways (from Croydon to Karachi), Indian Trans-Continental (Karachi to Singapore) and Qantas Empire Airways, formed by Qantas and Imperial Airways (Singapore to Brisbane).

The next year, on 13 April 1935, the first passenger service operated from London to Brisbane by Imperial Airways and Qantas Empire Airways. It initially operated weekly and the trip took 12 and a half days. It would become known as the Kangaroo Route.

Services initially operated weekly, and were progressively increased to thrice weekly throughout the 1930s. The journey time was improved so that flights to Australia took “only” 10 days.

The Flying Boats

By 1939, Imperial Airways services to Australia were operated with flying boats.

Passengers would depart from the  Imperial Airways Terminal  in Victoria to catch a train to Southampton.

Imperial Airways’ had a fleet of 28 flying boats. Weighing 18 tonnes, these could accommodate up to 24 passengers and 5 crew. These were dubbed “veritable flying hotels” promising restaurant meals in spacious saloons with a promenade deck and separate smoking cabin.

Passengers would sit in “the most luxurious chair in the world” which could move from an upright to reclined position at the touch of a lever.

Qantas Comes To London

When commercial aviation resumed after the Second World War, it was the delivery of the Lockheed Constellation aircraft that allowed Qantas to fly direct to London.

The first service operated from Sydney to London in December 1947. The flight required 7 stops en route via Darwin, Singapore, Calcutta, Karachi, Cairo, Castel Bento and Rome with a flight time of 58 hours over more than four days. The aircraft carried 29 passengers, 3 pilots, 1 navigator, 2 flight engineers and 3 cabin crew.

“Australia’s Round-the-World Airline”

In 1954, Qantas took delivery of the Super G Constellation aircraft operating the Southern Cross route across the Pacific Ocean from Sydney to Fiji, Honolulu, San Francisco and Vancouver.

On 17 January 1958, Qantas operated its first scheduled round-the-world flight from London to London after a goodwill flight for journalists.

The aircraft operated from London to New York, San Francisco, Honolulu, Fiji, Sydney, Darwin, Jakarta, Singapore, Bangkok, Calcutta, Karachi, Bahrain, Athens and Rome.

The Jet Age

Over the course of the 1960s, Qantas entered the jet age, operating the Boeing 707 on routes from London.

This delivered radical improvements to journey times and increased the scope of Qantas’ global network.

The first Qantas Boeing 707 routes from London operated to Sydney via the Pacific. The first flight departed London on 31 July 1959, two days after its inaugural flight from Sydney to San Francisco.

Passengers could fly from London to Sydney via San Francisco in just over 30 hours, saving over 25 hours’ journey time. It would shortly fly the “Kangaroo Route” to Australia via Singapore.

“Fastest Jets To Australia”

Two years later in 1961 introduced a special version of the Boeing 707 known as the “V Jet”.

This had more powerful engines, delivering more journey time improvements from London to Sydney.

Qantas went on to add more routes to Australia with a third Boeing 707 route to Hong Kong operating twice weekly via Athens / Istanbul, Tehran and New Delhi in 1964.

A fourth route from London to Sydney via Bermuda, Nassau, Mexico City, Acapulco, Tahiti and Fiji in 1965, known as the “Fiesta” route, proved to be short-lived.

In 1967, BOAC introduced its own Boeing 707 Pacific route to Australia via New York, San Francisco, Honolulu, and Fiji.

The Jumbo Jet Era

In 1971, BOAC and Qantas introduced Boeing 747 services between the UK and Australia.

Qantas’ first Boeing 747 aircraft was the 747B. This had the same dimensions as the first version of the 747, but with a longer range and higher maximum take-off weight.

Qantas’ first Boeing 747 flight departed London Heathrow for Sydney via Bahrain and Singapore on Friday 26 November 1971. Flights initially operated twice weekly on Fridays and Sundays.

In March 1974, Qantas added a second one-stop service from London Heathrow to Perth via Mumbai with a journey time of around 20 hours.

By the summer of 1976, BA was operating all flights to Australia with Boeing 747 aircraft.

In June 1977, Qantas added two-stop Boeing 747 services from London Heathrow to Darwin and a three-stop service to Brisbane and a promise of two stop services to Melbourne or Sydney every day of the week.

With many airlines such as British Airways and Singapore Airlines offering Boeing 747 services to Australia, they competed to offer the fastest services to Australia. Qantas claimed to offer the fastest service from London to Sydney of any airline.

British Airways began Concorde flights to Singapore, in conjunction with Singapore Airlines in 1977. Whilst it was hoped this would extend to Australia, it never came to fruition. Though BA did operate occasional Concorde charter flights to Australia.

Advances in the 747 resulted in continued improvements to journey times to Australia in the 1980s. It also meant that Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines could operate non-stop flights between London and Asia, offering competitive one-stop connections to Australia.

Non-Stop To Australia 

The concept of non-stop flights from the UK to Australia has long been mooted by Qantas.

On 16 August 1989, Qantas’ first Boeing 747-400 aircraft, VH-OJA City Of Canberra, flew non-stop from London to Sydney.

News reports at the time mooted non-stop flights by 1999. It did take a little longer. When Qantas launched a daily non-stop Boeing 787 service to Perth in 2018, it has always maintained that the route had the highest passenger satisfaction on its network.

In 2026 a new era will begin. After withdrawing from many European cites and losing market share to rivals in Asia and the Middle East, Qantas is betting that passengers will take to its long trailed ultra long haul flights and it can reassert itself on the international stage.

Copyright London Air Travel 2022.

Share this story:

• Share on Tumblr

2 thoughts on “From Twelve Days To Non-Stop In 20 Hours”

• Pingback: Qantas To Fly London - Sydney Non-Stop – London Air Travel
• Pingback: Qantas Places Major Aircraft Order With Airbus

We welcome any thoughts and comments below: Cancel reply

Discover more from london air travel.

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

How to Book Qantas Flights Using American Airlines Miles

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Travelers often end up partial to one airline or another for a variety of reasons: loyalty program perks, specific routes or destinations, or the amenities offered to travelers. If you’re an American Airlines’ AAdvantage member or are thinking about joining the program, you might be wondering about its membership benefits.

Among others, one of American Airlines’ sweet spots is that you can use your miles to book flights to Australia on Qantas. Here’s how to nab your ticket for a trip Down Under on the cheap.

Booking Qantas flights to Australia

There are multiple options for travelers wanting to fly to Australia, notably on the country’s largest airline Qantas . Qantas is a member of Oneworld alliance , which means that its flights can be booked using miles from a variety of partner airlines — including American.

Booking American Airlines flights to Australia with your AAdvantage miles can offer a superior value compared to booking directly with Qantas, though this can depend on your dates of travel.

When searching Qantas’ website for a one-way nonstop flight from Los Angeles to Sydney in mid-August 2022, an economy award ticket costs 41,900 points. Using that many points for such a long flight isn’t bad, but American charges only 40,000 miles for the same flight.

» Learn more: Redeem your points for your dream trip — Here's how

However, the value proposition gets even better when booking business class flights. American charges 80,000 miles for a business class seat on Qantas’ 15-hour flight from the U.S. to Australia. Considering American charges the same amount of miles for an eight hour flight to Tahiti in business class, you’re spending nearly double the time on a plane for the same amount of miles.

If you’re a member of Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan, you’ll only need 55,000 miles for Qantas’ flights to Australia in business class.

Booking Qantas flights within Australia

Australia is a huge country and notorious for its expensive domestic flights. Depending on your final destination, you may end up paying hundreds of dollars for an intra-Australia flight.

This is where American’s AAdvantage miles become even more valuable. Why? Because American only charges 10,000 miles for an economy class flight within Australia — no matter where you’re going. This is true whether you’re flying the short distance from Sydney to Melbourne or across the continent to Darwin.

Here’s an example of a Qantas flight from Sydney to Alice Springs: the gateway to the Outback. The three hour, economy class ticket costs $255.

However, the same flight on American requires only 10,000 miles.

This is even a better deal when you compare it to Qantas, which will charge you 18,000 miles for your flight — nearly double what American charges.

At this rate, you’ll be redeeming your AAdvantage miles for 2.55 cents each: significantly more than NerdWallet’s AA mile valuation of 1.7 cents per point.

If that weren’t a good enough deal already, the value proposition jumps drastically when you peek at the business class pricing for this same flight.

American charges a flat 20,000 miles for business class flights within Australia, which means you’ll be redeeming your miles for this flight at an astronomical 6.21 cents per point. When it comes to award seat redemptions, that’s a pretty good value.

» Learn more: The complete guide to American Airlines partners

How to earn American Airlines miles

American Airlines miles aren’t as easy to earn as other airline miles because American doesn’t partner with any of the major flexible point currencies . Instead, you’ll have to earn miles another way. Let’s take a look at a few options.

Co-branded credit cards

American has a handful of co-branded credit cards from which to choose, including options from both Citibank and Barclays. These cards will usually come with a lump-sum welcome offer of bonus miles in addition to the ability to earn miles with every purchase.

American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® .

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® .

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® .

CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® .

AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® .

The fees and benefits associated with these credit cards vary, but one option in particular that you might want to consider is the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® . Its current sign-up bonus is: Earn 50,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles after making your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days.

» Learn more: Which American Airlines credit card should you choose?

Bask Bank offers a unique option for those who want to keep some of their money in a savings account. Rather than earning interest on your balance, you can earn one American Airlines mile per dollar saved annually.

Bilt is a fairly new program designed primarily for renters, though others can benefit from it as well. In addition to allowing you to earn Bilt Rewards on rent, the program has a fee-free credit card that allows you to earn rewards. Bilt Rewards transfer over to American Airlines at a 1:1 ratio.

» Learn more: How paying rent with Bilt can get you a free Disney trip

SimplyMiles

SimplyMiles is a shopping program that allows you to earn American Airlines miles on your purchases when using a Mastercard. Unlike a shopping portal, you won’t need to buy through the SimplyMiles website in order to get your miles.

Instead, you’ll add promotions to your linked credit card, which you’ll then use to pay for your purchase. Once the transaction has been verified on your card, the AAdvantage miles will be deposited to your account.

Earning rates vary pretty drastically on SimplyMiles, so you’ll want to check the specific offers to see how many miles you’ll receive. Some provide a lump-sum bonus after spending a specific amount, while others offer a certain number of miles per dollar spent.

» Learn more: Guide to using the American Airlines shopping portal

If you’re looking for cheap award flights to and within Australia

Although American Airlines AAdvantage miles aren’t the easiest to earn, they can provide some really great value when traveling. This is especially true when you’re looking at flights to Australia, where just 40,000 miles can get you an economy class ticket. Additionally, navigating the vast landscape of Australia can be made significantly easier (and cheaper) thanks to American’s flat-rate price of just 10,000 miles for any in-country economy class flight.

The information related to CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

on Citibank's application

1x Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases.

70,000 Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

I Was on One of the First Flights to Australia From the U.S. in Nearly 2 Years — Here's What It Was Like

A warm welcome, indeed.

A lively atmosphere filled with Vegemite, kangaroos, and Tim Tam's welcomed travelers on Monday as the first international Qantas flight arrived in Sydney, Australia — and I was lucky enough to be one of them.

Stepping off a 15-hour flight from Los Angeles — skipping over a whole day — and landing in Sydney just after 6 a.m. local time on Monday, the once-typical route for Qantas flight QF12 made history as it carried the first group of American tourists entering Australia in nearly two years.

Stepping outside of baggage claim, I was welcomed to the land down under with flowers and greeted by a giant kangaroo mascot, a stuffed koala bear, and a basket full of Australia's favorite snack foods. It was a festive welcome to cap off the long flight.

Like much of the world, Australia shut down in March 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic began to sweep across the globe. For the next 23 months, the country maintained some of the strictest border restrictions in the world, closing off to nearly everyone and implementing hotel quarantines for those who did come.

Late last year, Australia started welcoming some people back, including Australian citizens who were abroad, before opening it up to travelers from select countries like South Korea and Japan.

However earlier this month, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Australia would reopen to vaccinated travelers from other nations on Feb. 21, including from the United States. And within days, I was booked on the first Qantas flight back to Oz.

With a negative test and paperwork in hand, I checked in for the flight at New York's John F. Kennedy Airport and caught a connection to the West Coast. Once en route to Australia, I immediately tried to get some sleep in hopes of beating the inevitable jet lag, stretching my legs in Qantas' premium economy cabin between trips to the galley to raid the snack basket for Kit Kat bars.

The closer we got, the more excited I became. And after a final coffee with oat milk and a few minutes of rest, I caught my first glimpse of Sydney.

Currently, Qantas offers direct flights to Australia from two U.S. cities: Los Angeles and Dallas. In addition to the LA flight, Qantas operated several other international flights on Monday, including from Vancouver, Singapore, and London.

"It's fair to say we've all been waiting a long time to welcome visitors back to Australia. The thousands of international tourists arriving this week and many more over the coming months will help kickstart the tourism industry which has done it tough for the past couple of years," Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said in a statement provided to Travel + Leisure . "We can clearly see from the Australian Government's announcement that people are very keen to come back to Australia, and we continue to see strong bookings out of the U.S. and UK, as well as South Africa and Canada."

A Qantas spokeswoman also told T+L that the airline also has plans to start operating Project Sunrise flights in 2024 or 2025, a pre-pandemic experiment in which Qantas was testing ultra-long haul non-stop flights between New York and London and Sydney. The project will resume once international travel recovers.

Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram .

Related Articles

Sun Island Resort & SPA is trending right now! Compare rates >>>

100 people have viewed Sun Island Resort & SPA in the last 24 hours!

200 new users have joined Ratepunk community today.

Browser Extension

Qantas vs Virgin Australia: Comparing the Best Aussie Airlines

Whether you're a seasoned traveller or planning your first journey down under, choosing the right airline can significantly impact your travel experience. In this article, we dive into the key aspects of both airlines, comparing destinations, routes, hubs, baggage allowances, loyalty programs, service quality, and customer opinions.

Published: Jan 03, 2024 • 5 min read

Hubs & Destinations

Both airlines have the same primary hubs: Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. The difference comes then you compare destinations.  Qantas  stands as Australia's premier domestic airline, connecting passengers to 67 destinations across all states and mainland territories. On the international front, reaching 75 destinations in 32 countries.  

On the other hand,  Virgin Australia  effectively caters to the adventurous spirit with its network, covering over 35 destinations across Australia, Asia, and the Pacific regions. 

Baggage Allowance

Qantas maintains specific regulations for carry-on baggage. On every Qantas domestic flight , passengers are allowed to bring a total of 14 kilograms of carry-on luggage. This can include one carry-on bag with a maximum weight of 10 kilograms . 

Moreover, the checked baggage allowance on your flight is determined by several factors including your route, ticket class, Qantas Frequent Flyer status, and Qantas Club membership . Generally, on domestic flights within Australia, Economy class travelers are permitted one piece of baggage with a maximum weight of 23kg (50lbs), while Business class travelers can bring two pieces, each up to 32kg (70lbs). On international flights heading to the Americas, Economy class passengers are usually allowed two pieces of luggage, with each piece weighing no more than 23kg (50lbs).

Meanwhile, Virgin Australia permits the following carry-on options: passengers may bring one bag weighing up to 7kg , with maximum dimensions of 56 x 36 x 23 cm, or opt for two smaller bags with a combined weight of up to 7kg and dimensions not exceeding 48 x 34 x 23 cm each. For checked baggage, both Premium and Economy classes allow a maximum of 23kg per bag. Exceeding this weight will incur an overweight baggage fee at the airport. In Upper Class, each bag can weigh up to 32kg.

Therefore, if you're traveling with multiple pieces of luggage and need a higher carry-on allowance, opting for Qantas might suit your needs better.

Loyalty Programs: Qantas Frequent Flyer vs Velocity Frequent Flyer

Choosing between Qantas and Virgin Australia's frequent flyer programs can be tricky, as both offer great benefits. Here's a simplified breakdown to help you decide:

• Joining: Qantas usually charges $99.50 to join their Qantas Frequent Flyer program, but keep an eye out for free sign-up promotions. Virgin Australia's Velocity program is free to join, no catches.
• Earning Points: With Virgin Australia, you'll get five points for every dollar spent on most flights, with the number of points varying for longer international flights based on how far you're flying and what you paid for your ticket. Silver, Gold, and Platinum members get bonus points on top of the regular points. Qantas gives you points based on the distance flown and the type of fare you purchase, with more points for more expensive tickets. They also offer bonus points for higher-tier members on flights.
• Bonus Points: If you're a frequent flyer, both programs offer extra points the more you fly – the higher your membership level, the more bonus points you earn.
• Points Expiry: Your Qantas points will stay safe as long as you earn or redeem points every 18 months. For Velocity, you have a bit longer at 36 months.
• Redeem Points: With Qantas points, you can book flights or upgrade your seats on Qantas and its partner airlines. You can also use points to buy items from the Qantas online store, book hotels, rent cars, or get Qantas Club lounge access. If needed, you can even use points for travel insurance. Meanwhile, Virgin Australia's Velocity points can be used to book or upgrade flights with Virgin and its partner airlines. You can also shop with your points in the Velocity Rewards Store, book hotels, rent cars, or use points for fuel at certain service stations. Both programs offer a range of options to use your points for travel and more.

Both programs have their perks, so the best choice depends on your travel style and preferences. Do you fly often? Are you looking for free membership? Consider these points to make the best choice for your travels.

Customers Voice 

Qantas is widely known for delivering high service standards both in the air and on the ground. Customers often speak highly of their travel experiences with Qantas, citing comfort, entertainment, and overall service quality as significant positives. However, while it's frequently praised for its reliable network and premium services, some find it pricier. On the other hand, Virgin Australia is also recognized for its strong service quality, particularly noted for its friendly staff and comfortable seating, making it a favored choice for many.

Regarding customer opinions, Qantas generally enjoys positive reviews, but V irgin Australia has recently seen a surge in customer trust , overtaking Qantas as Australia's most trusted travel brand. This shift highlights Virgin Australia's commitment to value for money and quality customer service despite some feedback about its limited international flight options. Both airlines continue to compete closely, adapting and improving to meet the needs and preferences of travelers.

The Biggest Music Festivals In Australia 2024

Air India vs IndiGo Airlines: Finding The Best Option

Turkish Airlines vs. Emirates: Comparing Airlines

Jan 03, 2024

Recent blog posts

Mar 13, 2024

How I became a Travel Agent and Quit my 9 to 5

Here, I will write the secrets of the travel industry and teach you how to use them to your advantage to travel way cheaper and sell your travel agent services!

Feb 28, 2024

Dune 2 Filming Locations: Where You Should Travel

The eagerly anticipated sequel to Denis Villeneuve's "Dune" promises to be a visual masterpiece, just like its predecessor. "Dune: Part Two" not only continues the epic saga of Paul Atreides and the battle for control of the desert planet Arrakis but also showcases a variety of stunning locations across the globe

Feb 27, 2024

Ever tracked hotel price AFTER booking? In 57% of the cases, you would have saved, data shows

RatePunk data shows why travelers should always book free-cancellation hotels and track hotel prices after booking in 2024.

Feb 22, 2024

Reseña: ¿Es RatePunk Legítimo o una Estafa?

Ratepunk es una extensión gratuita para navegadores que te ayuda a ahorrar dinero automáticamente buscando precios de hoteles en Internet mientras navegas por tu web de reservas favorita. De esta forma, cuando encuentras un hotel ideal Ratepunk te muestra si hay un precio mejor para él o si ya has conseguido el mejor.

Reseña de Travel Arrow: Características y Alternativas

Las extensiones de navegador son cada vez más populares y muy útiles. Si estás buscando extensiones de viaje y quieres saber más sobre Travel Arrow y sus alternativas, tienes que leer este blog.

Feb 20, 2024

Will hotels get cheaper in 2024? 2023 data + predictions.

After analyzing 150K+ hotel searches, we can see a clear trend of OTAs lowering their overall rates to stay competitive in their market with their prices. This 2023 data shows how fast OTAs are lowering their rates, and RatePunk's official prediction is that this trend will follow well into 2024.

Leave a comment

Your Message

Never miss out on a better rate!

Sign up to receive a desktop reminder.

Available in the

Chrome Web Store

Firefox add-ons.

Trusted by 100k+ users

Help and Support

Refunding, changing, or cancelling a flight booking, 20/06/2023 • knowledge, information.

What are my options when refunding, changing or cancelling a booking?

Changing your flight booking:

• Check your fare type and the fare conditions that apply to your booking including any fees that may apply for changing your flights, click here to find out more about the fare conditions.
• To change to your booking online, retrieve your booking via Manage booking or log in to your Frequent Flyer account .
• Once you have retrieved your booking the 'change' button will be available for eligible bookings. 

Cancelling or changing a flight after checking-in:  If you need to cancel your flight once you have checked in online, you can now undo check-in online or in the Qantas App, follow the easy steps on  how to undo check-in  

• The value as a refund, after cancellation fees (if any) have been deducted (check  Fare Type  for fare conditions), or
• A  Flight credit  to use for a new flight booking with us. 

Was this article helpful?

Other useful articles.

• Changing or Cancelling a Hotel booking
• Cancelling or changing a Reward flight booking
• Changing or cancelling my Classic Hotel Reward booking
• Cancelling a Qantas Frequent Flyer membership
• Changing or cancelling Status Hold

Privacy Preference Center

Your privacy, strictly necessary cookies, performance cookies, functional cookies, targeting cookies.

When you visit any website, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This information might be about you, your preferences or your device and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to. The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalized web experience. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings. However, blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms.    You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.

These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site.    All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.

These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages.    If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.

These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites.    They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.

Cookie List

• Travel Insurance

Qantas Travel Insurance Review

The journalists on the editorial team at Forbes Advisor Australia base their research and opinions on objective, independent information-gathering.

When covering investment and personal finance stories, we aim to inform our readers rather than recommend specific financial product or asset classes. While we may highlight certain positives of a financial product or asset class, there is no guarantee that readers will benefit from the product or investment approach and may, in fact, make a loss if they acquire the product or adopt the approach.

To the extent any recommendations or statements of opinion or fact made in a story may constitute financial advice, they constitute general information and not personal financial advice in any form. As such, any recommendations or statements do not take into account the financial circumstances, investment objectives, tax implications, or any specific requirements of readers.

Readers of our stories should not act on any recommendation without first taking appropriate steps to verify the information in the stories consulting their independent financial adviser in order to ascertain whether the recommendation (if any) is appropriate, having regard to their investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs. Providing access to our stories should not be construed as investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any security or product, or to engage in or refrain from engaging in any transaction by Forbes Advisor Australia. In comparing various financial products and services, we are unable to compare every provider in the market so our rankings do not constitute a comprehensive review of a particular sector. While we do go to great lengths to ensure our ranking criteria matches the concerns of consumers, we cannot guarantee that every relevant feature of a financial product will be reviewed. We make every effort to provide accurate and up-to-date information. However, Forbes Advisor Australia cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of this website. Forbes Advisor Australia accepts no responsibility to update any person regarding any inaccuracy, omission or change in information in our stories or any other information made available to a person, nor any obligation to furnish the person with any further information.

Updated: Oct 11, 2023, 10:36am

Qantas Travel Insurance is an above-average choice of insurance for travelling Australians, offering unlimited medical coverage and good Covid-19 cover for both medical diagnoses and trip cancellations. However, due to certain limitations on age and below-average customer reviews, it may be best suited to Qantas Frequent Flyer members who can earn points with every dollar spent on their policy.

• Unlimited medical includes dental
• Good Covid-19 cover
• Over 69 year olds need to purchase a separate policy
• Fraudulent credit card activity is not covered

Table of Contents

About qantas travel insurance, what is covered, who should take out this insurance.

About Star Rankings: You will note that we have included a star rating next to the product or provider reviewed. This rating was determined by the editorial team once all of the data points were considered, and the pros and cons of each product attribute was reviewed. The star rating is solely the view of Forbes Advisor editorial staff. Commercial partners or advertisers have no bearing on the star rating or their inclusion on this list. Star ratings are only one factor to be considered, and Forbes Advisor encourages you to seek independent advice from an authorised financial adviser in relation to your own financial circumstances and investments before you decide to choose a particular financial product or service.

Featured Partners

Fast Cover Travel Insurance

On Fast Cover’s Secure Website

Medical cover

Unlimited, 24/7 Emergency Assistance

Cancellations

Unlimited, (Trip Disruption $50,000)

Key Features

25-Day Cooling Off Period, Australian Based Call Centre, 4.6 Star Product Review Rating

Cover-More Travel Insurance

On Cover-more’s secure website

Unlimited, with a $2000 limit to dental

Yes, amount chosen by customer

Southern Cross Travel Insurance

Medical Cover

Including medical treatment, doctors’ visits, prescribed medication, specialist treatment & medical transport costs

$2,500 with option to increase to unlimited

Whether or not you choose to fly with Qantas for your travels, you can still purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy from the airline. In addition to travel insurance, Qantas also offers cover for your health, car and home–all of which Qantas Frequent Flyer members can earn Qantas points with.

Despite Qantas being Australia’s most popular airline–dominating the market share with 60.8% of Australian travel according to an ACCC report–its travel insurance policy isn’t highly regarded by some of its customers. On Product Review, Qantas Comprehensive Travel Insurance received only 1.1 stars from 25 customer reviews. This is admittedly a small number of reviews so that needs to be taken into account.

The standard Qantas Comprehensive Travel Insurance policy is available to Australians aged up to 69 years old, with a separate policy available to those over 70.

For those travelling with family, the policy also covers accompanying children–as long as the child is under 18 at the time the insurance is issued. The child must also be travelling with you for the entire duration of the trip and be listed on the insurance certificate in order to qualify for any claims.

Unfortunately, fraudulent credit card activity is not covered with Qantas Travel Insurance. Qantas will, however, cover the cost of a replacement credit card, stolen or lost passports or travel documents to a maximum of $2,000. It also covers personal liability up to $3 million.

When it comes to missed connections, Qantas will only provide cover if it is for a special event–such as missing a wedding or a funeral–and up to $2,500. Travel delays are also only covered if it is more than six hours, with a maximum of $250 per 24 hours of delay up to a maximum of $1,500.

Unlimited cancellation cover is included, and is valid for cancellations due to Covid-19 as explained below.

Lost Luggage

Lost luggage is covered by Qantas in its travel insurance policy up to $15,000. Sub limits apply within this amount, and customers can increase item limits for high value items if desired.

Medical Coverage

Qantas Travel Insurance includes unlimited overseas medical expenses.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you will need to meet certain criteria in order to be covered. There are 43 conditions that are automatically covered (as long as they meet said criteria), while other conditions will require an assessment to determine if cover will be provided.

Is Dental Cover Included in Medical?

Yes, overseas emergency dental expenses are covered with unlimited medical cover. However, dental expenses due to sudden and acute pain are only covered up to $2000.

Does it Cover Me for Covid?

Yes, being diagnosed with Covid-19 is covered under the unlimited overseas medical expenses within Qantas’ travel insurance.

Cancellations are also covered due to a positive diagnosis, along with ‘reasonable’ additional expenses, such as if you are required to quarantine, up to $2,500.

What about pregnancy?

Qantas’ travel insurance policy covers pregnancy up to week 26. If there are pregnancy-related conditions that require treatment, they are classified as pre-existing conditions and therefore require an assessment at the time of taking out the policy to determine if cover will be provided.

What about Sports and Activities?

Qantas claims that “most amateur sporting activities are covered” under its comprehensive travel insurance policy. It does not provide a list of what these included activities are, however, there is a list of seven activities that will not be covered.

• Activities on snow and ice (unless the additional snow package has been purchased);
• Base jumping;
• Racing (except on foot);
• Any professional sporting activity;
• Running with the bulls;
• Mountaineering and rock climbing using support ropes; and

Customer Service

Qantas provides 24/7 emergency assistance to its comprehensive travel insurance policyholders. There is also a phone number for general enquiries, as well as a call back service.

Claims can also be lodged 24/7, from overseas or when you return home to Australia. There is an online claims form available to download which can then be sent to Qantas via post or email.

While Qantas Comprehensive Travel Insurance can suit a wide variety of Australians–particularly travelling parties under 69 years old–it is best suited to Qantas Frequent Flyer members keen to take advantage of earning one frequent flyer point per $1 spent on the policy premium.

The policy also offers good Covid cover, substantial cancellation cover for a range of reasons, and unlimited medical cover.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does qantas have travel insurance for over 70s.

Yes, Qantas does offer comprehensive travel insurance for those aged over 70. For travellers under 69 years old, the standard comprehensive travel insurance policy is offered, which has been reviewed above. You can read the PDS here .

For those over 69 years old, a separate policy is offered.

Who underwrites Qantas travel insurance?

Qantas travel insurance is underwritten by Pacific International Insurance, an Australian owned insurance company.

Where is the Qantas travel insurance PDS?

The Qantas Comprehensive Travel Insurance policy disclosure statement for those aged 0-69 years old can be found via the Qantas Insurance website here . For those aged over 69 years old, the policy disclosure statement is here due to differing coverage allowances.

Sophie Venz is an experienced editor and features reporter, and has previously worked in the small business and start-up reporting space. Previously the Associate Editor of SmartCompany, Sophie has worked closely with finance experts and columnists around Australia and internationally.

• Best Comprehensive Travel Insurance
• Best Seniors Travel Insurance
• Best Cruise Travel Insurance
• Best Domestic Travel Insurance
• Travel Insurance Cost
• Pregnancy Travel Insurance Guide
• Travel Insurance For Bali
• Travel Insurance For Fiji
• Travel Insurance For The USA
• Travel Insurance For Thailand
• Travel Insurance For New Zealand
• Travel Insurance For Japan
• Travel Insurance For Europe

More from  

Best student travel insurance, travel insurance and covid: are you covered, top travel insurance tips for australians, our pick of the best comprehensive travel insurance providers in australia, do frequent flyer points expire, travel insurance for canada: what you need to know before you go.

Perth Airport terminals to be consolidated into one complex, in new Qantas deal

Perth Airport's split terminals will be consolidated into one complex, ending years of confusion for travellers, following a new deal struck with Qantas.

The airport is currently split into Terminal 1 and 2 on the east side of the runways, with 3 and 4 located on the west side — an eight kilometre drive between the two.

Qantas currently operates both its domestic and international services from Terminals 3 and 4, but have announced today it will shift its operations to the main terminals after 2031.

The project to consolidate the airport to a central location has been discussed for decades but has hit many obstacles over the years.

In 2023, Premier Roger Cook accused Qantas of "dawdling", saying the airline was holding the state back from becoming the "western gateway to Australia" and described the T3 and T4 as a "boutique" arrival hall.

The airline says the $5 billion infrastructure package will also include a newly constructed runway, and open up new destinations for its international network.

The new terminal is expected to be complete by 2031, with Qantas to upgrade its current operations at Terminals 3 and 4 in the meantime.

Subsidiary Jetstar will relocate its services to Terminal 2 from September.

The new runway, to run parallel to the airport's north-south tarmac, is due to open in 2028.

COVID stalls plans

In 2019, the privatised Perth Airport released plans for a $2.5 billion upgrade to the international terminal that would allow space for Qantas to move in.

At the time, Perth Airport predicted the consolidation would nearly double annual passenger numbers.

But the plans were stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic and amid financial and commercial pressures Qantas refused to pursue the deal.

The completion of the $1.86 billion Forrestfield-Airport Link has added another layer to the dispute, with the train station built a kilometre from Qantas' terminals.

'Future proofing'

Aviation journalist Geoffrey Thomas has described the long-awaited agreement as crucial.

"It is the most important piece of infrastructure development ever announced in Western Australia," he told ABC Radio Perth.

"We've got $100 billion worth of development in the resource pipeline. Without this additional capacity, whether its terminals or runways, we can't realise that.

"There's an old saying, 'an airport runway is the most important road in town'. That's very much the case with Perth Airport."

"Having two parallel runways basically future proofs Perth Airport."

He said the cost of the development was not a surprise given the age of the current terminals, which were built for the 1962 Empire Games.

A record 16 million passengers are expected to pass through the airport this financial year, on an unprecedented 155,000 flights.

• X (formerly Twitter)

Related Stories

Ever been confused flying out of perth airport why qantas stands accused of holding wa back.

• Air Transport Industry
• State and Territory Government
• Transport Industry