SYDNEY- Qantas (QF) makes aviation history today (September 30, 2024) with its inaugural Airbus A380 flight to Johannesburg (JNB), marking the Australian flag carrier’s first Superjumbo service to Africa.
This groundbreaking route will operate up to six times weekly, significantly boosting capacity between Australia and Africa by adding 130,000 seats annually.
Qantas Deploys A380 to Africa
The A380, accommodating 485 passengers across four cabins, reintroduces First Class to the route after a six-year hiatus.
The exclusive First Class cabin features 14 individual suites in a 1-1-1 configuration, each convertible into a 212-centimeter bed. Premium Economy seating capacity more than doubles with this aircraft upgrade.
Passengers in First and Business classes gain access to an upper deck lounge, offering booth-style seating for 10, a self-service bar, and signature drinks and snacks. This amenity enhances the luxury travel experience on the long-haul flight.
Passengers on southerly routes during clear weather may glimpse Antarctica, adding a unique element to their journey. Flight durations span 14 hours and 40 minutes from Sydney to Johannesburg, with the return leg taking 11 hours and 55 minutes.
Qantas currently operates eight A380s out of its ten-aircraft fleet, with plans to reactivate the remaining two over the next 18 months. The A380s also serve Los Angeles, Singapore, and London routes.
Qantas’ connection to South Africa dates back to 1948 when it conducted a survey flight from Sydney (SYD) to Johannesburg via Perth (PER), the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and Mauritius using a Lancastrian aircraft.
Regular passenger services began in September 1952 with a Lockheed Constellation L-749A, taking 66 hours and earning the nickname “Wallaby Route” in reference to the famous Kangaroo Route to London.
Today’s nonstop A380 flight operating as QF63 represents a significant leap in aviation technology and efficiency. It also marks the first time any airline has operated an A380 across the southern Indian Ocean, underlining Qantas’ commitment to innovation and expanding its international network.
Looking ahead, Qantas plans to reintroduce direct flights from Perth to Johannesburg in mid-2025, subject to regulatory approvals.
Qantas Codeshare with Airlink
Qantas significantly boosts its capacity to South Africa as it introduces the A380 service to Johannesburg and announces a new codeshare partnership with Airlink (4Z).
The Australian carrier will add its QF code to Airlink’s domestic network, facilitating seamless connections between Qantas’ Johannesburg flights and nine South African destinations, including Cape Town, Durban, and Hoedspruit.
Qantas plans to extend this partnership to additional Airlink destinations in neighboring southern African countries in the coming months, pending regulatory approval.
This codeshare agreement offers Qantas Frequent Flyers the opportunity to earn Qantas Points and Status Credits on Airlink flights. Members can also use Points Plus Pay for these flights, enhancing the value of their loyalty program participation.
Airlink, established in 1992, operates as a full-service regional airline based in Johannesburg. With over 65 aircraft serving more than 45 destinations across Africa, Airlink utilizes an all-jet Embraer fleet from hubs in Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town.
Executive Remarks
Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace highlighted the strong demand for Johannesburg services, noting that the A380 upgrade will nearly double capacity during peak periods. This increase translates to over 130,000 additional seats annually between Australia and Africa.
Wallace emphasized Qantas’ long-standing connection with South Africa, spanning 72 years. The airline’s fleet serving this route has evolved from Constellations and Super Constellations to Electras, 707s, 747s, Dreamliners, and now the A380.
He remarked on the A380’s popularity among frequent flyers and the symbolic significance of the Flying Kangaroo operating in “the land of the springbok.”
The combination of increased capacity and the new Airlink codeshare significantly expands options for Qantas customers traveling to Africa.
Wallace stressed that this expansion strengthens connections between families, friends, and businesses, while also supporting tourism on both sides of the Indian Ocean.
Competition in Market
Qantas revised its A380 service launch to Johannesburg, postponing the introduction from July 7 to September 30, 2024. This adjustment stems from delays in heavy maintenance and cabin refits.
The initial plan for a six-times-weekly service, transitioning to four-times-weekly in August, and back to six-times-weekly in October, has been modified. The new schedule begins with a five-times-weekly service, increasing to six-times-weekly from late October.
This delay impacts Qantas’s capacity significantly, resulting in seat losses of 4,744 in July, 2,358 in August, and 1,860 in September. However, South African Airways (SAA) reintroduction of Perth services partially offsets this reduction in market capacity.
SAA’s return, while at a lower frequency than its pre-pandemic operations, contributes to the market’s recovery. Between May 2024 and March 2025, SAA will provide 46% of its pre-pandemic seat capacity, while Qantas will offer 108%. Collectively, the two airlines will reach 81% of pre-pandemic capacity levels during this period.
From October 2024, coinciding with the A380’s introduction, Qantas will surpass its pre-pandemic capacity, offering 132% of its baseline. In contrast, SAA will operate at 48% of its previous levels. Combined, the two carriers will achieve 96% of pre-pandemic capacity.
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