Qantas and Jetstar have today announced plans to grow their international network out of Sydney, with new direct routes to India and Korea taking off later this year. The debut of a new partnership with India’s largest domestic airline, IndiGo, is set to coincide with the launch. Here, Qantas Frequent Flyer members will be able to earn and spend Qantas Points on flights to over 50 cities in India.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the introduction of new direct flights is positive news for the recovering New South Wales tourism sector.
“It’s clear that Australia is back on the map for international travellers,” he said.
“Sydney is one of the world’s truly global cities and these new direct flights to India and Korea will make it easier for millions of people to come here,” added Mr Joyce.
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Fly Qantas And Jetstar Direct To Seoul
Both Qantas and Jetstar will launch direct flights to Seoul’s Incheon International Airport in the South Korean capital later this year.
Jetstar will become the only low-cost carrier to fly direct from Sydney to South Korea, with Boeing 787 Dreamliner flights operating from 2 November 2022. Below, flights will operate Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
- JQ47 Sydney to Seoul, 12:00pm to 8:15pm, 10hrs 15min
- JQ48 Seoul to Sydney, 10:00pm to 10:05am, 10hrs 5min
Qantas plans to join Jetstar from 10 December 2022, with direct Airbus A330 flights from Sydney to Seoul. Flights will see Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday departures, as below.
- QF87 Sydney to Seoul, 9:35am to 6:20pm, 10hrs 45min
- QF88 Seoul to Sydney, 7:50pm to 8:15am, 10hrs 25min
Fly Qantas Direct To Bengaluru
Australia’s national carrier plans to be the first airline to operate non-stop flights between Australia and southern India, cutting almost three hours off the current fastest travel time from Sydney to Bengaluru (formerly known as Bangalore). Qantas will operate four weekly return flights from Sydney to Bengaluru from 14 September 2022, using its Airbus A330 aircraft. Flights will depart on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, as below.
- QF67 Sydney to Bengaluru, 9:30am to 15:55pm, 11hrs 55min
- QF68 Bengaluru to Sydney, 5:45pm to 10:40am, 11hrs 25min
In addition, Qantas will continue operations between Melbourne and Delhi, as below.
- QF69 Melbourne to Delhi, 9:15am to 4:15pm, 12hrs 30min
- QF70 Delhi to Melbourne, 5:45pm to 11:25am, 12hrs 10min
Qantas’ Latest Airline Partner: IndiGo
IndiGo is amongst the fastest-growing budget airlines in the world. The airline operates a fleet of over 275 aircraft including ATR72 turboprops, narrowbody Airbus A320ceos and A320neos as well as the larger A321neo. With over 1,500 daily flights that connect 73 Indian domestic destinations plus 24 international routes, this is no small airline.
To coincide with the launch of its new direct flights, Qantas intends to enter a codeshare agreement with IndiGo. The partnership is set to allow Qantas customers access to one-stop trips to more than 50 Indian cities. Travellers will soon have the ability to book seamless transfers from Qantas flights in Bengaluru, Delhi, or Singapore onto IndiGo services to a plethora of Indian cities.
Under the agreement, Qantas Frequent Flyer members will be able to earn and redeem points on connecting IndiGo flights with a QF flight number, and IndiGo will recognise Qantas tier benefits including priority check-in, additional baggage allowance and priority baggage on arrival. Passengers will also enjoy the same baggage allowance for their entire journey, as well as complimentary food and drinks.
In addition, the partnership will extend to Jetstar customers who will be able to book connecting flights on IndiGo services from late April.
Sale Fares To Seoul And Bengaluru
To celebrate its new Seoul new route, Jetstar is offering sale fares from $398 return starting today until 4pm on 14 April.
Qantas flights from Sydney to Seoul are on sale from $1224 return, while Sydney to Bengaluru flights start at $1349 return.
Qantas Points Planes Are Back!
To reward its members, Qantas is offering the first three return services between Sydney and Bengaluru, and Sydney and Seoul, as Points Planes! Every single seat on these flights will be available for booking as a Classic Flight Reward until the end of April 2022. Of course, seats on these flights can also be purchased with cash.
Here’s many Qantas Points you’ll need to get to Seoul or Bangaluru from Sydney:
- Seoul in Jetstar Economy: 26,000 pts
- Seoul in Jetstar Business: 61,500 pts
- Seoul in Qantas Economy: 31,500 pts
- Seoul in Qantas Business: 82,000 pts
- Bangaluru in Qantas Economy: 37,600 pts
- Bangaluru in Qantas Business: 94,900 pts
