Qantas, Australia’s national carrier, has announced plans to increase its flights from Bengaluru to Sydney, responding to strong demand during the peak holiday season. From mid-December 2024 to late March 2025, the airline will upgrade its schedule from five weekly flights to daily services, adding over 12,000 seats between the two cities during this four-month period.
This increase complements Qantas’ existing route from Delhi to Melbourne, which operates three times per week. The flights will be serviced by the Airbus A330 aircraft, featuring 27 Business Class suites in a 1-2-1 configuration, providing direct aisle access and lie-flat beds. Qantas’ international fares include checked baggage, meals, beverages, and in-flight entertainment as standard.
In a bid to enhance passenger experience, Qantas has also announced an accelerated rollout of ‘fast and free’ Wi-Fi across its international fleet, including the A330s. This service, offering robust and consistent internet connectivity, will be progressively introduced on flights between India and Australia starting next year.
Akasa Air will launch daily non-stop flights connecting Jeddah with Mumbai, further ramping up this service to 12 direct flights per week from July 21, 2024. The launch of direct flights between Jeddah and key Indian cities aligns with the surge in travel demand witnessed between India and Saudi Arabia, particularly in 2023, reflecting the growing ties and opportunities between the two nations.
Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace commented, “Demand for travel between India and Australia continues to be incredibly strong, so we’re pleased to be responding with extra flights to Sydney. These additional flights are timed to carry more travelers to Australia in summer, while also helping more families and friends reconnect over the holiday period.”Bangalore International Airport Chief Operating Officer Satyaki Raghunath added, “We are delighted by the impressive success that Qantas has experienced at BLR Airport. This expansion, commencing in the first half of December 2024, will deliver added convenience and flexibility to travelers from South and Central India, offering them a wider range of options for both business and leisure travel.”
This move by Qantas underscores the robust travel demand between India and Australia and aims to provide greater convenience and enhanced travel experiences for passengers during the busy holiday season.
