Qantas plans to launch non-stop service on the Sydney-Dallas Fort Worth route, drop non-stop service on the Sydney-San Francisco route, and enhance its codeshare arrangement with American Airlines.
Effective 16 May Qantas will operate a four-times-weekly non-stop service on the Sydney-Dallas Fort Worth route using Boeing 747-400 aircraft, says Qantas. The return flight will be via Brisbane.
Qantas's five-times-weekly direct service on the Sydney-San Francisco route will be discontinued on 14 May. From this time, Qantas will service San Francisco by placing its codes on American Airlines flights on the Los Angeles-San Francisco route. According to Innovata, Qantas operates eight-times weekly on the Sydney-Los Angeles route using a mix of Airbus A-380-800s, 747-400s, and 777s.
"(This new service) will connect Qantas customers to one of the USA's major hub airports, benefiting both business and leisure travelers," says Qantas CEO Alan Joyce. "Flying to DFW is an important step for Qantas as we expand and improve our international services."
From DFW, American Airlines and regional partner American Eagle operate nearly 750 flights to 186 destinations, says Qantas.
"Alongside our entry into DFW, Qantas and American Airlines intend to deepen their existing relationship and will be seeking regulatory approval from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and other relevant authorities for this expanded commercial relationship," says Joyce.
Qantas adds that an "enhanced commercial agreement" between it and American will "involve coordination of operations between Australia/New Zealand and the United States."
By placing its code on American flights operating from DFW, thirteen US and three Mexican destinations will join the Qantas network. These include Albuquerque, Boise, Cleveland, Washington DC (Regan National), El Paso, New York (La Guardia), Kansas City, Oklahoma, Phoenix, San Antonio, Salt Lake City, Sacramento, Tucson, Cancun, Guadalajara, and Mexico City.
Qantas and American Airlines are partners under the Oneworld alliance.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
