Book Cheap Flights with Qantas

The world’s second-oldest continuously operating airline, Qantas has earned a phenomenal safety record during their decades of experience. Proudly claiming 65% of the Australian market as their own, Qantas covers 81 destinations on five continents, with new routes planned to South America and the Middle East to complete their global network.

Qantas stuttered into life as Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Ltd., flying one of the first post-World War I aircraft, an Avro 504K. The plane carried two passengers in addition to the pilot and the mail sacks, at a top speed of 105 kilometres (65 miles) per hour, getting the post through where the railroads didn’t go.

In 1934, still flying French biplanes, the fledgling air carrier initiated regular service between Brisbane and Darwin. In May 1935, Qantas upgraded their fleet and extended their run to Singapore, where Britain’s Imperial Airways took charge and completed the flight to London. The trek required nine days to circle half the globe, with the intrepid passengers sleeping nights in hotels along the route. Qantas maintained this route until Singapore fell to the Japanese Army in February 1942.

Temporarily stymied but not defeated, Qantas switched destinations from Singapore to Sri Lanka, flying 5,652 kilometres nonstop in 28 hours to maintain the route to London even during hostilities. Passengers were treated to two sunrises during the flight, and upon arrival in Sri Lanka (then called Ceylon) they were awarded membership in “The Order of the Double Sunrise” before they re-embarked with BOAC to complete the trek to London.

Today, Qantas’ heroics are limited to maintaining their tradition of award-winning customer service. Qantas was voted the fifth best airline in the world in 2007 by an obviously satisfied clientele, according to research firm Skytrax.

The Qantas frequent flyer programme is operated as part of the Oneworld Alliance with American Airlines, British Airways, Canadian Airlines, and Cathay Pacific. Points can also be earned through car hire firms, hotel accommodations, and certain Qantas-affiliated credit cards. These points can be redeemed for flights or upgrades on flights on any of the associated Oneworld airlines.

Qantas Club is the name of their business and first-class airport lounges located in terminals around the world, available by paid subscription or frequent flyer status. Qantas Club offers deluxe amenities for business travelers, including wireless Internet access, complimentary bar, showers, telephones, televisions, quiet areas, and business workstations with fax and photocopying facilities.

The Qantas in-flight magazine is entitled The Australian Way. Other in-flight entertainment includes movies, news, music, and television programmes. Online Check In (OLCI) is now available for domestic flights, allowing passengers to select their seat and print a boarding pass while skipping the queue at the terminal.

An anticipated Qantas innovation is in-flight Internet access, planned for August 2008. Qantas also plans to experiment with allowing passengers use of their personal mobile phones during flights for email and text messages, although voice calls will remain prohibited during flights.