Qantas Airways - In the News
Qantas Introduces 'Anyseat' Frequent Flyer Points Redemption
Qantas News - July 2008
Coming this November, Qantas frequent flyers will be able to redeem their Qantas frequent flyer points for any seat on Qantas or Jetstar flights. This increased frequent flyer flexibility (which mimicks Virgin Blue's 'any seat on any flight' capability) will require more points to secure a flight redemption.
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More Qantas Frequent Flyer Redemption Partners
As part of this overhaul of the frequent flyer program, Qantas is expected to announce and increase in frequent flyer partners - giving customers a greater range of redemption options.
Qantas to spin off its Frequent Flyer Program?
Another change in the works appears to be the eventual spinoff of Qantas' frequent flyer program along the lines of Air Canada's Aeroplan loyalty plan. Qantas would retain a majority holding in the trust while cashing in on the trust's intial public offering and on-going efficiencies.
More details as this story unfolds...
Qantas Airbus A380 to start flights to LA in October
Qantas News - June 2008
Qantas is preparing to take delivery of the first of its new Airbus A380 jets. The first of the 20 super jumbos on order is scheduled to arrive in Australia in August - nearly a full year behind its scheduled delivery date!
Qantas expects to operate the A380 between Melbourne and Los Angeles by October with newer jets coming on line later on with connections from Sydney to London.
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Qantas Premium Economy - now on flights to LA!
Qantas News - May 2008
Following the successful introduction of the Premium Economy cabin on services to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Singapore, Johannesburg and London, Qantas' Premium Economy service is now available on flights from Australia to Los Angeles. Offering superior reclining and leg room, an extra wide seat with ergonomic cushioning and adjustable headrest, touch screen video monitors, inspired menus with premium wines - not to mention the champagne on offer as part of the pre-take off refreshments, it comes as no surprise that forward bookings show high levels of demand. The service also includes priority check-in, a dedicated cabin crew, additional hand baggage allowance, and priority boarding and disembarkation. The fares reflect their position between Economy and Business Class, and have so far been successful in providing a distinctively up-market economy product. Qantas is planning to add the Premium Economy cabin class to their services to Buenos Aires, New York and San Francisco during 2009.
Qantas to remain profitable despite rising fuel costs
Qantas News - April 2008
Rising fuel costs are putting pressure on airlines around the world. Qantas is no exception, and is actively addressing the impacts at multiple levels. Fare increases on domestic and international airfares sold from 9 May 2008 are the most obvious to the flying public, but the Qantas Group's successful fuel hedging program and efficiency gains through the Sustainable Future Program has enabled it to manage the higher fuel costs to date. Despite a hiring freeze and cutbacks on expenditure, Qantas remains confident that, even in the face of continued fuel rises, the airline is sufficiently well positioned, flexible and financially robust to protect its profitability.
New Qantas Flights & Upgraded Services to WA, SA and NT
Qantas News - March 2008
In response to strong domestic tourism growth, Qantas announced that it was increasing capacity in Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory. New and upgraded services will see Qantas servicing Western Australia's regional destinations of Broome, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Newman and Port Hedland with an additional 141 flights. In South Australia, twelve new services will be added to the weekday CityFlyer service between Sydney-Adelaide and Adelaide-Melbourne. Â The Northern Territory will see an additional four Sydney-Darwin daylight services, three additional Sydney-Alice Springs, and two additional Perth-Darwin services.
Mobile Phones & Portable Devices safe to use on Qantas Domestic Flights?
Qantas News - March 2008
Qantas continues to lead the industry in the introduction of new technology. A successful partnering with AeroMobile has resulted in the development of technology to allow mobile phones and portable devices to be used safely inflight, without interference to aircraft systems or the ground communication network. Customers wanting to send or receive an SMS will require a GSM phone and global roaming account, while customers wanting to send or receive emails will need a GPRS enabled device like a Blackberry or appropriately equipped laptop. The new technology will initially be installed on a number of the domestic B767-300 and A330-200 aircraft, and will continue to be evaluated.
More Qantas Flights to More Destinations
Qantas News - March 2008
Qantas' latest increases in capacity reflect the airlines confidence in the growth potential of its important international routes and will dramatically strengthen tourism and trade links between Australia and the Americas. In addition to commencing new services from Brisbane and Sydney to the United States, Qantas will be introducing its first ever non-stop services to South America, in November 2008.
Together with codeshare partners American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air and Mexicana, Qantas customers can now connect to 12 destinations in the US, nine in Canada and four in Mexico.
Qantas currently codeshares on LAN services between Sydney and Santiago, Chile and, through continued network developments, expects to enable connections to other South American destinations, including Brazil, by the end of 2008.
Qantas New Award for 'Excellence in Sustainable Tourism'
Qantas News - February 2008
Qantas' commitment to the development of a sustainable Australian tourism industry was again demonstrated with the establishment of a major award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism. The Award will recognise and encourage Australian tourism operators who have demonstrably minimised their impact on the environment, respected local culture and provided benefits to local communities. The award will be complemented by seminars and workshops around Australia to support and encourage operators to adopt environmentally sound business practices.
The winner of the inaugural Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism will be announced in early 2009, drawn from winners across 25 categories. Qantas is well placed to lead this initiative having implemented it own comprehensive environmental strategy that aims to save two million tonnes of CO2 by 2011, with targets set for energy, waste and water usage reduction.