Qantas’ inaugural Airbus A380 flight to Johannesburg took to the skies on Monday (September 30, 2024). The route will now operate up to six times weekly, nearly doubling capacity, with an extra 130,000 seats between Australia and Africa annually.
On Monday (September 30, 2024), Qantas announced the launch of their inaugural Airbus A380 superjumbo flight to Johannesburg, South Africa. The route will now operate up to six times weekly with a 485-seat A380 featuring four cabins, including the return of First Class for the first time since 2018, as well as Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy Class cabins. First Class features 14 individual suites in a 1-1-1 configuration which convert into a 212 centimeter bed. The aircraft also features an upper deck lounge for First and Business Class guests, with booth-style seating for up to 10 people, a self-service bar, and an option to order signature drinks and snacks. Qantas also plans on relaunching direct flights between Perth and Johannesburg from mid-2025. The national carrier also intends to relaunch direct flights from Perth to Johannesburg from mid-2025, subject to meeting border agency requirements.
In Monday’s announcement, Qantas International’s CEO, Cam Wallace, said,
“We are seeing strong demand for our Johannesburg services and, by upgrading to the Superjumbo, we will nearly double capacity during peak periods, adding over 130,000 seats per year between the continents.
“Qantas has a rich history of flying to South Africa over the past 72 years, having operated Constellations and Super Constellations, Electras, 707s, 747s, Dreamliners and now the A380.
“The A380 is a favourite among our frequent flyers and it will be great to see the Flying Kangaroo in the land of the springbok.
“This extra capacity, combined with our new codeshare with Airlink, will significantly expand the options for Qantas customers heading to Africa, strengthening the connections between family and friends, business and trade as well as supporting the tourism industry on both sides of the Indian Ocean.”
Qantas first launched service to South Africa in 1938 with a Lancastrian survey flight to Johannesburg from Sydney via Perth, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Mauritius. The carrier’s first passenger flight on the same route took place in 1952 with a Lockheed Constellation L-749A. The route, affectionately known as the ‘Wallaby Route’, took 66 hours.
Additionally, Qantas has launched a new codeshare partnership with Johannesburg-based carrier Airlink. Qantas will add their QF code on Airlink’s domestic network, enabling seamless connectivity via Johannesburg to nine destinations in South Africa, including Cape Town, Durban and Hoedspruit. As part of the codeshare with Airlink, Qantas Frequent Flyers can earn Qantas Points and Status Credits, and can also pay for flights using Points Plus Pay.
Founded in 1992, Airlink is a full-service Johannesburg-based regional airline serving a comprehensive network across Southern Africa. The carrier operates an all-jet fleet of Embraer aircraft from their hubs in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. Airlink has a fleet of over 65 aircraft and serves more than 45 destinations across Africa. The new Qantas codeshare destinations in South Africa include Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, East London, George, Hoedspruit, Nelspruit, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and Skukuza.
Source: Qantas
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