Qantas, Australia’s flagship airline, has made history by launching Airbus A380 flights to South Africa. This marks the first time the superjumbo has been operated on the continent, with flights scheduled to Johannesburg up to six times a week. The introduction of the A380 not only increases capacity but also reintroduces First Class service to this route for the first time since 2018, providing travelers with a luxurious new option.
Doubling Capacity: A Milestone for Qantas
With the arrival of the A380, Qantas has nearly doubled its annual seat capacity between Australia and Africa. The airline projects an additional 130,000 seats annually as a result of the superjumbo’s deployment. The A380 features 485 seats spread across four distinct cabin classes, including 14 First Class suites arranged in an exclusive 1-1-1 configuration. These First Class suites convert into a 212-centimeter fully flat bed, offering unparalleled comfort for long-haul travelers. Additionally, Premium Economy capacity has more than doubled, further enhancing the in-flight experience for passengers seeking extra space and comfort.
A Journey Through Qantas’ South African History
Qantas’ ties to South Africa date back to 1948, when the airline first touched down in Johannesburg with a Lancastrian survey flight that originated in Sydney and made stops in Perth, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and Mauritius before reaching Johannesburg. Full passenger services began four years later, in 1952, using a Lockheed Constellation L-749A. The journey, which took a grueling 66 hours, became known as the “Wallaby Route,” paying homage to the airline’s iconic “Kangaroo Route” to London.
Fast forward to today, and the modern Qantas A380 offers nonstop service, cutting down travel time and bringing a new era of comfort and convenience to the Australia-Africa route. This development also marks the first-ever A380 flight operated across the southern Indian Ocean by any airline, further solidifying Qantas’ place as a trailblazer in international aviation.
Plans for Future Growth: Direct Flights from Perth to Johannesburg
Qantas has also set its sights on expanding its African network even further. The national carrier is planning to relaunch direct flights from Perth to Johannesburg by mid-2025, pending the necessary regulatory approvals. This would create another direct link between Australia and South Africa, making it easier for passengers to travel between the two countries.
Expanding Reach: New Codeshare Agreement with Airlink
In addition to the increased capacity provided by the A380, Qantas has announced a new codeshare partnership with South African carrier Airlink. This partnership significantly expands Qantas’ network across South Africa, enabling seamless connections from Johannesburg to nine other destinations within the country, including Cape Town, Durban, and Hoedspruit. Qantas plans to further extend its reach by adding additional Airlink destinations in neighboring southern African countries, pending regulatory approval.
Strengthening Connections Between Continents
Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace highlighted the importance of the increased capacity and new codeshare partnership, stating, “We are seeing strong demand for our Johannesburg services, and by upgrading to the Superjumbo, we will nearly double capacity during peak periods, adding over 130,000 seats per year between the continents. This extra capacity, combined with our new codeshare with Airlink, will significantly expand the options for Qantas customers heading to Africa, strengthening the connections between family and friends, business and trade, as well as supporting the tourism industry on both sides of the Indian Ocean.”
With a rich history of operating various aircraft models from Constellations to Dreamliners, Qantas’ new A380 service represents yet another milestone in the airline’s 72-year-long relationship with South Africa.
