In anticipation of the Christmas holiday season, Qantas and Jetstar are preparing for one of their busiest periods in recent years, according to a press release from the airlines. The companies expect over 8.5 million passengers to travel on nearly 70,000 flights throughout December and January. This marks a significant increase from the same period last year and is the highest since 2019-20.
The busiest day for travel across both airlines is projected to be Friday, December 15, with over 150,000 customers flying.
Efforts to Improve Customer Experience
Qantas and Jetstar have implemented several measures to ensure a smooth travel experience during this busy period. Qantas has maintained its status as the most on-time major domestic airline for the past 14 months and has recorded the lowest cancellations over the past six months. Jetstar has also improved its performance as supply chain issues have subsided and new aircraft have been added to its fleet.
Key initiatives for the summer peak include:
- Keeping up to 13 jet aircraft on standby, including an Airbus A380, to manage potential disruptions.
- Increasing the number of reserve staff to cover unexpected sick leaves.
- Recruiting almost 3,300 additional operational employees, including cabin crew, pilots, engineers, and customer service staff.
- Advancing maintenance on Qantas and Jetstar aircraft, including a targeted fleet health program for Qantas’ Boeing 737s at its Brisbane engineering facility.
- Collaborating with industry partners to have extra staff during peak periods, such as additional ground handlers and airport security screeners.
Qantas is investing $230 million this financial year in various initiatives to enhance customer experience. These improvements include more Frequent Flyer reward seats, an upgraded Qantas app with baggage tracking, improved inflight catering, and better customer recovery for major flight delays.
Increased International Capacity
Reflecting the strong demand for international travel, the Qantas Group is operating significantly more international flights this summer compared to last year. Notable developments include:
- Qantas more than doubling its Australia-Japan flights, resuming Sydney-New York flights (via Auckland), and restarting Shanghai-Sydney flights, the last destination to return to its pre-COVID network.
- Jetstar commencing flights between Melbourne and Fiji.
The Group’s international capacity is expected to return to pre-COVID levels by mid-next year, currently operating at around 90 percent capacity.
Popular Destinations and Affordable Travel Options
Popular international destinations for the holidays according to Qantas and Jetstar include Bali, Auckland, Singapore, Tokyo, and London. Domestically, the Gold Coast, Cairns, Melbourne, and Perth are among the favored spots.
Over one million people will fly for under $100 on Jetstar during December and January, and numerous frequent flyers will utilize Classic Reward Seats across Qantas, Jetstar, and partner airlines.
Mid-week fares are recommended for those who have not yet booked, with Jetstar offering competitive one-way fares and Qantas providing affordable options for various routes.
COVID Credit and Rewards Program
Customers holding a Qantas COVID credit have until December 31, 2023, to use their credit, with eligibility for double Qantas Points on bookings made by that date. Refunds for COVID credits are also available on request.
