Ruqayyah Snyder
Qantas is widely considered the most popular airline in Australia. It is the country's national flag carrier, the largest airline in terms of fleet size, and the only airline in the world that flies to all seven continents. Qantas is also the oldest airline in the southern hemisphere, founded in 1920, and is based in the Sydney suburb of Mascot. Qantas has consistently ranked as Australia's best airline, and in 2024, it was placed 24th in the world's best airlines awards. Other popular Australian airlines include Virgin Australia, Jetstar, and Rex Airlines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Qantas Airways Limited |
| Acronym | Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services |
| Year founded | 1920 |
| Headquarters | Sydney suburb of Mascot |
| Hubs | Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane |
| Destinations | 60+ domestic destinations and flies to all 7 continents |
| Awards | Australia's best airline, World's cleanest airline (13th), best cabin crew (16th), best airport service (18th), best first class (13th), best business class (18th) |
| On-time arrivals | 74.5% |
| Cancellations | 2.6% |
| Subsidiaries | QantasLink, Jetstar Airways, Jetconnect, Network Aviation |
| Sponsorships | Australia national rugby union team, Socceroos, Australian Grand Prix, Australian cricket team, Sydney Mardi Gras |
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What You'll Learn
Qantas: Australia's best airline
Qantas, or Qantas Airways Limited, is Australia's flag carrier and the largest airline in the country by fleet size, international flights, and international destinations. It is also one of the oldest airlines in the world, founded in November 1920, and is the only airline that flies to all seven continents. With hubs in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, and Brisbane, Qantas flies to over 60 domestic destinations across Australia.
Qantas has been recognised as Australia's best airline in the Skytrax World's Best Airlines Awards. While it ranked 24th in the global rankings in 2024, it was recognised in the top 20 rankings for the cleanest airline, best cabin crew, best airport service, best first class, and best business class. Qantas has also been ranked the top choice for Australian consumers making flight bookings, according to a survey by Statista.
Qantas has a strong presence in the Australian market, with a 60.8% share of the domestic market as of March 2023. The airline has several subsidiary airlines, including QantasLink, which operate on regional routes and some international flights. Qantas also owns Jetstar, a low-cost airline that provides both international and domestic services within Australia and New Zealand.
Qantas has a rich history, with its original name being Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services, serving Queensland and the Northern Territory. The airline has undergone various changes, including nationalisation and privatisation, and is affectionately nicknamed "The Flying Kangaroo". Qantas has also been a prominent supporter of Marriage Equality and LGBTIQ issues, with CEO Alan Joyce being a strong advocate.
Qantas's success and longevity in the Australian aviation industry have solidified its position as the country's best airline. Its extensive network, reliable services, and recognition in various awards demonstrate its dominance in the market and its ability to consistently deliver a high standard of service.
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Virgin Australia: Qantas' main competitor
Qantas Airways Limited, the flag carrier of Australia, is the largest airline in the country by fleet size, international flights, and international destinations. Qantas is also one of the oldest airlines in the world, founded in 1920, and is nicknamed "The Flying Kangaroo". The airline is based in the Sydney suburb of Mascot and has a 60.8% share of the Australian domestic market. Qantas also owns Jetstar, a low-cost airline that operates both international and domestic services within Australia and New Zealand.
Virgin Australia, formerly known as Virgin Blue, is a popular competitor of Qantas. The immense success of Virgin Australia in the early 2000s caused Qantas to launch its own budget carrier, Jetstar, in 2003. Despite this, Virgin Australia has continued to thrive, ranking second in the top 10 airlines in the Australia/Pacific region. Virgin Australia also ranked among the top 10 carriers for premium economy class, transpacific flights, and in-flight entertainment, and was named the 15th best airline in the world overall.
When comparing the two airlines, Qantas is generally more expensive, while Virgin Australia offers more affordable prices and a solid buy-on-board menu. Qantas offers complimentary beverages and allows passengers to pick their seats for free 24 hours before the flight. QantasLink seats are made of vinyl/leather, while Virgin Australia's A320 seats are fabric and have been described as scratchy. For passengers with infants, Virgin Australia offers an extra 23kg checked baggage allowance, while Qantas does not include a checked bag in its allowance. Qantas provides a kids' meal and gift pack, making it a more attractive option for families with older children.
Both airlines offer a safe and reliable flying experience, and the choice between the two ultimately depends on the specific needs and preferences of the passenger. Qantas and Virgin Australia are both strong competitors in the Australian aviation market, each with their own unique strengths and features.
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Jetstar: Qantas' low-cost airline
Qantas Airways Limited, founded in 1920, is Australia's national flag carrier and the largest airline by fleet size, international flights, and international destinations in Australia and Oceania. Qantas is based in the Sydney suburb of Mascot, adjacent to its main hub at Sydney Airport. Qantas is the only airline in the world that flies to all seven continents.
Qantas owns Jetstar, a low-cost airline that operates both international services from Australia and domestic services within Australia and New Zealand. Qantas launched Jetstar in 2003 in response to the success of Virgin Blue (now Virgin Australia). Jetstar has proven to be a successful venture, ranking fourth among the best airlines in the Australia/Pacific region and being voted the region's best low-cost carrier.
Based in Melbourne, Jetstar offers direct flights from Sydney to Honolulu, with meals, snacks, in-flight entertainment, and baggage included in the ticket price. Qantas also operates direct flights on this route, but at a higher price point that includes additional amenities such as unlimited drinks. Qantas Frequent Flyer members can earn and redeem Qantas Points and Status Credits on eligible Jetstar flights, providing further benefits for loyal Qantas customers.
In summary, Jetstar is Qantas' low-cost airline subsidiary, providing a successful alternative to its parent company's full-service offering. With its competitive pricing, Jetstar has gained recognition in the Australia/Pacific region and contributed to the Qantas Group's significant share of the Australian domestic market.
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Fiji Airways: Qantas affiliate
Qantas Airways Limited, the flag carrier of Australia, is the largest airline in the country by fleet size, international flights, and international destinations. Qantas is based in the Sydney suburb of Mascot and operates flights to all seven continents. Qantas is also one of the world's oldest airlines, founded in November 1920, and is nicknamed "The Flying Kangaroo".
Fiji Airways, a partner airline of Qantas, is the pride of the Pacific and a gateway to Fiji and the South Pacific. The airline is renowned for its warm hospitality, offering a taste of Fijian culture from the moment passengers step onboard. Fiji Airways joined the oneworld Alliance as a full member on April 1, 2025, and is 46% owned by Qantas.
Qantas Frequent Flyers can earn points and status credits by booking eligible flights with a Qantas (QF) flight number (also known as codeshare) on Fiji Airways. These points can be used to book Classic Flight Rewards and Points Plus Pay flights on Fiji Airways. Qantas codeshare flights operated by Fiji Airways also offer benefits such as lounge access.
Fiji Airways operates a fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft and covers ten countries across the Pacific. The airline offers seamless connections between Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Fiji's main island through its partnership with Qantas.
Overall, the partnership between Fiji Airways and Qantas provides benefits such as lounge access, earning Qantas Points, and seamless travel across the Pacific region.
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Rex Airlines: Best regional airline
Qantas is the flag carrier of Australia and the largest airline by fleet size, international flights, and international destinations in Australia and Oceania. Qantas is also the world's oldest airline still in operation, founded in 1920. It is based in the Sydney suburb of Mascot and, as of March 2023, held a 60.8% share of the Australian domestic market.
However, Qantas has faced competition from other airlines in the region, including Virgin Australia (formerly Virgin Blue), Jetstar, and Rex Airlines.
Rex Airlines, also known as Regional Express Airlines, is a notable regional airline in Australia. The airline was established in 2002 through the merger of Hazelton Airlines and Kendell Airlines, which were acquired by the Australiawide Airlines consortium. Regional Express Holdings, the parent company of Rex Airlines, is based in Mascot, New South Wales, and is publicly listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.
Rex Airlines has expanded its operations over the years, acquiring other regional airlines and extending its services to various destinations within Australia, including Brisbane, Maryborough, Adelaide, Gold Coast, and Sydney. The airline also leased aircraft previously leased by Virgin Australia to expand into the domestic airline market between major cities.
While Rex Airlines has faced challenges, such as scaling back services during the COVID-19 pandemic and dealing with financial difficulties, it continues to operate regional services with funding support from the Queensland government and PAG Asia.
Despite some negative reviews on TripAdvisor regarding delays and cancellations, Rex Airlines remains a significant player in the Australian aviation industry, providing essential connections to regional and remote communities.
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Frequently asked questions
Qantas is the flag carrier of Australia and the largest airline by fleet size, international flights, and international destinations in Australia and Oceania. Qantas is also the only airline in the world that flies to all seven continents. It was ranked as Australia's best airline in the 2024 World's Best Airlines Awards by Skytrax.
Other popular airlines in Australia include Virgin Australia, Jetstar, and Rex Airlines. Virgin Australia, formerly known as Virgin Blue, is known for its premium economy class, transpacific flights, and in-flight entertainment. Jetstar, founded in 2003, is a low-cost carrier owned by Qantas. Rex Airlines, a regional operator, was ranked as the fourth-best regional airline worldwide and the top performer in the Asia Pacific region in 2024.
An airline's popularity in Australia can be influenced by various factors, including on-time performance, cancellation rates, overall service quality, and customer satisfaction. Factors such as pricing, route availability, and brand reputation can also play a role in an airline's popularity. Additionally, awards and rankings, such as the World Airline Awards and Skytrax World's Best Airlines Awards, can impact an airline's perception among the public.
