Qantas have been a bit busy pushing out the PR’s last night. Lets look at the ones that will hit you the poor passenger first.
The Joint Service Agreement Between London and Sydney (Qantas and British Airways)
Currently, the main JSA routes are LHR-SIN-SYD and LHR-BKK-SYD.
The LHR-SIN-SYD run will be operated with Boeing 747’s instead of 777-200’s
Meanwhile the LHR-BKK-SYD service is changed in two ways
LHR-BKK will be operated by BA terminates at BKK.
SYD-BKK will be operated by Qantas and terminates at BKK.
British Airways is to increase it’s LHR-HKG frequency going 17 times weekly from 14 times.
Also announced is the creation of Jetstar Japan in cooperation with JAL and the Mitsubishi Corporation. Operating a fleet on A320’s in 180 seater configurations, this will target the low cost segment in Japan (brining it into conflict with ANA’s “Peach”), operating initally between Tokyo Narita and Osaka, with routes to Sapporo, Fukuoka, and Okinawa on the cards. The aim is once established in Japan, to operate short haul international services.
On top of this, Qantas are readying their “New Premium Asian Airline”, which they’re preparing to launch.
The unnamed airline will not carry the Qantas name, and will take the form of a joint venture, with “a new brand, new aircraft and an exciting new look and feel”.
Expect shenanigans from the unions when this hits.
