Qantas has announced a return to international flying with flights to New Zealand set to resume from 1 July 2021 and flights to 22 of the airlines 25 pre-COVID destinations set to resume from 31 October 2021. The date change lines up with the expected timeframe for Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout to be effectively completed.
The destinations include Los Angeles, London, Singapore and Johannesburg. The airline will also offer flights to other international destinations via their codeshare partners while the international network ramps up. Qantas is also planning for a significant increase in flights to New Zealand from the first of July 2021 in response to the travel bubbles that may open.
Capacity will be lower than pre-COVID levels, with frequencies and aircraft type on each route in line with the projected recovery of international flying.
Qantas has also announced additional flexibility for international bookings to enable customers to book flights with confidence. Qantas’ updated Fly Flexible policy (previously only available for domestic and Trans Tasman flights) now applies to international flights booked from today until at least the end of April 2021. The flight date can be changed to any available for sale at the time (up to 355 days in advance). Qantas will waive the change fee however a fare difference may apply.
Qantas has also extended credit vouchers to enable travel until 31 December 2023 on domestic or international flights, with Jetstar doing the same for vouchers issued due to COVID-19 disruptions.
The Group remains in close consultation with the Federal Government around the reopening of international borders and will keep customers updated if further adjustments are required.