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Qantas has launched its first A380 flights from Sydney to Johannesburg, upgauging the service from its 787-9 Dreamliners.
Flight QF63 departed Sydney for Johannesburg on board VH-OQH at 10:20am on Monday, with Qantas saying the inaugural flights were fully booked in both directions. This is the first time any carrier has flown A380 services between Australia and South Africa.
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The A380s are expected to nearly double Qantas’ capacity on the route, adding an extra 130,000 seats per year for a total of more than 280,000. According to the Flying Kangaroo, there is “strong demand” among passengers for South Africa services.
“Qantas has a rich history of flying to South Africa over the past 72 years, having operated Constellations and Super Constellations, Electras, 707s, 747s, Dreamliners and now the A380,” said Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace.
The beginning of A380 services comes as Qantas announces a new codeshare partnership with Johannesburg-based carrier Airlink, which will see Qantas codes added to Airlink flights to nine South African destinations, including Cape Town, Durban and Hoedspruit.
“The A380 is a favourite among our frequent flyers and it will be great to see the Flying Kangaroo in the land of the springbok,” said Wallace.
“This extra capacity, combined with our new codeshare with Airlink, will significantly expand the options for Qantas customers heading to Africa, strengthening the connections between family and friends, business and trade as well as supporting the tourism industry on both sides of the Indian Ocean.”
Qantas says it also intends to relaunch Perth-Johannesburg services in mid-2025, subject to regulatory approvals; it has run seasonal services in the past, with the last one suspended indefinitely in early 2023.
Non-stop services between Perth and Johannesburg restarted earlier this year with the return of South African Airways, initially operating three times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays using 253-seater A340-300 aircraft, with Perth Airport hoping for an eventual daily service.
The route was the 19th direct international link secured by Western Australia since COVID-19, and came after a four-year absence by SAA from Perth’s skies.
“Perth Airport has had a remarkable partnership with SAA, which has spanned 67 years, and we are incredibly pleased to have them flying to and from our port again,” said Perth Airport CEO Jason Waters.
SAA is a member of Star Alliance and also codeshares with Virgin Australia. No other regular scheduled non-stop services currently operate between Perth and Johannesburg.
