Written on 7^th November 2017

Qantas and Emirates extend partnership

Qantas and Emirates will apply to extend their cornerstone partnership for another five years [1], making changes to reflect customer demand, new aircraft technology and each airline’s respective network strengths.

These changes will deliver additional benefits to the eight million passengers who have travelled more than 65 billion kilometres on the combined network since 2013, increasing customer choice as well as frequent flyer earn and redeem opportunities.

The key change will see the airlines better leveraging each other’s networks, by providing three options to Australia from Europe – via Dubai and Singapore [2], and direct to Perth.

Qantas will re-route its daily London – Sydney A380 service via Singapore rather than Dubai and upgrade its existing daily Singapore - Melbourne flight from an A330 to an A380.  As previously announced, Qantas’ existing London – Dubai - Melbourne service will be replaced with its direct Dreamliner service flying London – Perth –Melbourne. This change will also see Qantas boost its network across Asia, providing UK customers more options to travel to destinations in Southeast Asia serviced by the broader Qantas Group network.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the changes represented an evolution of the partnership to deliver additional benefits for customers, including the millions of frequent flyer members of both airlines.

Key changes in effect from March 2018:

• The choice of three hub options between UK/Europe and Australia – Dubai, Perth and Singapore.
• From 25th March 2018, QF 2/1 A380 service will operate London - Sydney via Singapore, replacing one of the existing Singapore - Sydney A330 services. The second Singapore -Sydney daily service will continue to be operated by an A330 aircraft.
• From 25th March 2018, one daily Qantas Singapore – Melbourne service will be upgraded from an A330 to an A380 (QF35/36), with the second three per week service increased to a daily A330 service (QF37/38).

[1] Subject to government and regulatory approval.

[2] Due to traffic right restrictions, Emirates cannot code on Qantas’ Perth-London or Singapore London service but its customers can redeem frequent flyer points on the route as part of the partnership.