Qantas is boosting its international network with new aircraft and a new destination, as well as schedule changes which will better utilise its fleet and support growing customer demand in key Asia Pacific and US markets.

From February 2025, the national carrier will add around 220,000 seats to its international network over 12 months compared to its current schedule. This is made possible by the launch of its new Brisbane – Palau route, the return of two Airbus A380s following maintenance and cabin modifications, as well as the arrival of more next-generation A220 aircraft for QantasLink.

More seats to the United States  

The changes will see Qantas boost capacity to the United States by 13 per cent, offering 30 per cent more premium seats for customers on long-haul flights with the return of more A380s to the network from next August. Customers will benefit from the return of the airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft to Brisbane, with the option of Premium Economy and more seats when travelling to Los Angeles and Auckland.

Brisbane

New route from Brisbane to Palau 

The national carrier has also today announced it will add Palau to its map for the first time, operating weekly flights from Brisbane to the Pacific Island with its 737 aircraft*.

The service, known as the ‘Palau Paradise Express’ will operate as part of a contract awarded to Qantas by the Federal Government and will help maintain strong trade and tourism links between Australia and Palau. Qantas customers will also have access to a new leisure destination on the airline’s network, with Palau renowned for its pristine waters, unique marine life and a haven for divers and hikers.

The route is expected to commence in the coming months and flights will go on sale in the next few weeks.

Boost to new Darwin to Singapore route 

QantasLink’s new A220 aircraft will make its debut on the international network when the airline commences flying between Darwin and Singapore in March*.

Originally due to launch with the Embraer E190, the larger 137-seat A220 will operate five times per week, offering over 70,000 seats on the route every year.

QantasLink has taken delivery of the first four of 29 A220 jet aircraft, which are steadily replacing its long-serving fleet of Boeing 717s as part of the Qantas Group’s fleet renewal program.

With almost double the range of the 717s, the A220 can fly between any two points in Australia and opens opportunities for new short-haul international routes, like Darwin-Singapore. The aircraft is currently operating on a number of domestic and regional routes.

Changes to Seoul flights 

From mid-June 2025, Qantas will cease flying between Sydney and Seoul, while Jetstar will increase flights from four per week to daily. This swap will result in an overall increase in seats between the cities and better serve the strong leisure demand for the route.

Summary of network changes 

Route Change Timing
United States
Melbourne-Dallas Flights to increase from three to four per week. 6 February 2025
Sydney-New York (via Auckland) Flights to reduce from six to five per week. 6 February 2025
Brisbane-Los Angeles Boeing 787 Dreamliner to return to the route, more than doubling premium seat capacity and offering customers the additional choice of Premium Economy. Daily flights to be operated by a mix of A330 and 787 aircraft. 11 August 2025
Sydney-Dallas A380 to resume on the route for the first time since pre-COVID. Daily flights to be operated by a mix of A380 and 787 aircraft. 11 August 2025
Asia
Sydney-Seoul Qantas to cease flights. Jetstar to increase flights from four per week to daily from June, a 4 per cent increase in seats on the route. 14 June 2025
Darwin-Singapore Route to launch with new QantasLink A220 aircraft, operating five days per week. Previously scheduled to be operated by the E190, the aircraft change offers more than 50 additional seats on the route each week. 30 March 2025
Tasman and the Pacific
Brisbane-Auckland 787 to be introduced on the route for the first time, operating alongside 737 and A330 flights,  a 40 per cent increase in premium seats on the route each year. 11 August 2025
Brisbane-Noumea Flights to resume after they were temporarily suspended in April, increasing from one to up to two per week, with the Embraer E190 aircraft operating on the route for the first time. 14 December 2024
Brisbane – Palau Weekly flights to be operated by Qantas’ B737 aircraft. Expected to launch in the coming months

*Subject to government and regulatory approval.

QantasLink’s next generation Airbus A220 aircraft has landed in Launceston today, becoming the first city outside Australian capitals to welcome the new aircraft.

The inaugural flight landed at 10.40am and was operated by the QantasLink aircraft named, Koala, the second A220 to join the QantasLink fleet earlier this year. There are four A220 aircraft currently operating across the Qantas network, with the fifth expected to arrive in November.

The aircraft is more fuel efficient than previous generation aircraft. Its modern light and bright cabin design with large windows and around 20 per cent more overhead lockers, specially designed seats and greater sense of space offers a more comfortable flight for customers.

The A220s are steadily replacing QantasLink’s long-serving fleet of Boeing 717s as part of the Qantas Group’s domestic fleet renewal program. This aircraft is already operating on flights between Melbourne and Hobart and will begin operating flights between Sydney and Launceston from late October as the airline draws closer to the retirement of the final Boeing 717 later this month.

Key features of the A220 include:

  • 137 passengers across two cabins, with 10 Business seats in a 2-2 configuration and 127 seats in Economy in a 2-3 configuration.
  • The largest windows of any single aisle aircraft and a cabin with a greater sense of space.
  • Fast, free Wi-Fi, allowing customers to stay connected, as well as the improved Qantas Entertainment App for streaming content to their own device.
  • An integrated personal device holder and USB A and C charging in both Economy and Business; additional wireless charging pad in Business.
  • More comfortable Economy seat with extra padding compared with the 717.
  • Around 20 per cent more overhead locker space for all customers.
  • Reduction in noise footprint of up to 50 per cent and reduction in carbon emissions of 25 per cent per seat compared with the aircraft its replacing.

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