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Qantas international flights from Melbourne take off again today for the first time in 20 months after the pandemic blocked international travel.
The national airline will resume scheduled international flights from Melbourne today, with flight QF35 to Singapore departing at 11:50 am.
Qantas also announced the launch of an all-new international route from Melbourne to Delhi from December 22, 2021, connecting Victoria to the Indian capital on a flight operated by Qantas for the first time in the airline’s history.
The new Melbourne-Delhi flight will operate four times a week, year round. Same day connections will also be available from Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra. Flights from Melbourne to Delhi will initially operate via Adelaide, while flights from Delhi to Melbourne will operate non-stop.
This follows the recent announcement of flights from Sydney to Delhi, which will begin next month. When that route went on sale, Qantas saw the biggest increase in bookings for flights departing from Australia since the airline announced its international restart plans in August.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said relaunching international flights from Victoria would pave the way for a long-awaited reunion with loved ones, and help the state maintain its position as one of the top destinations Australian for global travelers.
“The Victorians have done more difficult than most over the past two years and we believe many will see the restart of Qantas international flights as another important step towards getting back to normal,” Joyce said.
“We are starting to see more and more Victorians booking a well-deserved international getaway, and as the borders open up to international visitors we expect to see them visiting Melbourne in large numbers, which will give a boost. local tourism and hospitality businesses.
“The restart of our international flights is only possible because of the way the Victorians and Australians more broadly rolled up their sleeves to get the jab.
“While the past 20 months have undoubtedly been the toughest in Qantas history, as we emerge from the crisis, we are seizing new opportunities to expand our network in response to unprecedented pent-up travel demand. It helps us bring more Qantas employees back to work.
Qantas will also relaunch Melbourne-London flights on November 27, 2021 and Melbourne-Los Angeles from December 19, 2021.
While the international travel experience is largely the same as it was before COVID, some things will look and feel a bit different, especially in the short term.
Qantas has rolled out a range of new initiatives including a personalized digital travel guide designed to help passengers navigate travel requirements before leaving their homes.
The launch of international flights coincides with the opening of Qantas First Lounge at Melbourne International Airport.
Although normally reserved for Platinum Frequent Flyers members, Qantas will invite business customers, Gold Frequent Flyers and Qantas Club members to visit the First Lounge until the neighboring Business Lounge reopens.
Guests will be treated to a hybrid dining experience designed by Neil Perry that includes some of the most popular menu items from First and Business Lounges, such as Salt and Pepper Squid with Green Chilli Dip, Pork and Pork Lasagna. Neil’s veal and signature pavlova, as well as fine wines and barista coffee.
For a limited time, the menu will also feature chicken satays and vegetable samosas to celebrate the restart of Singapore flights and new Melbourne-Delhi flights.
Qantas has reopened nearly all of its 35 national Qantas Club and Business lounges across Australia.
It will open the rest of its international lounges in Australia and abroad in line with the wider reopening of international borders and the restart of the rest of Qantas’ international network.
Singapore’s International Business Lounge is scheduled to open in early December. In the meantime, eligible guests can use the SATS lounge in Singapore.
All passengers on Qantas international flights must be fully immunized, unless they are under 12 years old, 12 to 17 years old traveling to Australia with their family or guardian, or have an exemption. For all the details, visit qantas.com.
Initial international flights are limited to Australian citizens, permanent residents, and their immediate families and relatives, in accordance with federal government requirements. This is expected to be rolled out to other travelers in the coming months.
International flights are subject to government and regulatory approval
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