In 2018, Air France-KLM and Qantas launched a partnership, initially consisting of a codeshare agreement. In 2019, that was expanded to also include reciprocal loyalty perks. There’s now a positive update, as the parties will cooperate even more closely, especially when it comes to loyalty.
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Air France-KLM & Qantas partner for more connectivity
Air France-KLM and Qantas have just expanded their existing partnership, aimed at improving connectivity and enhancing the travel experience between Europe and Australia.
For the first time, Air France-KLM will be codesharing on Qantas’ flight between Paris (CDG) and Perth (PER), cutting around three hours off the previous fastest travel time between the two cities. This also means Air France is the only airline offering a codeshare on a direct Europe to Australia service.
Beyond that, Air France has established Tokyo Haneda (HND) as a new connecting point for Air France and Qantas flights, complementing existing connections at Singapore Changi (SIN) and Hong Kong (HKG). Passengers transiting these three connecting points can transfer to Sydney (SYD), Brisbane (BNE), Melbourne (MEL), Darwin (DRW), and Perth (PER).
The companies have already been offering frequent flyer reciprocity in terms of the ability to earn and redeem points across the airlines. However, that’s being expanded:
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue members now have the opportunity to redeem miles for travel in Qantas first class; not that there’s much award availability, but…
- Flying Blue Ultimate members now get access to Qantas First Lounges, which is a nice new perk, in line with what oneworld Emerald members would receive
Further “enhanced loyalty cooperation” is expected to be announced soon. Flying Blue only offers XP (the metric by which status is earned) for travel on SkyTeam flights, though I can’t help but wonder if Qantas may be eligible for XP accrual, as part of this development.
For Qantas travelers, this partnership is said to introduce greater connectivity to a wide range of destinations across France and beyond.
This is a logical, mutually beneficial partnership
Historically, we’ve typically thought of airline partnerships as being within alliances, or part of joint ventures. So this is a funny partnership, since Air France-KLM is in SkyTeam, while Qantas is in oneworld, and there’s no joint venture at play.
In the case of Qantas, I don’t think there’s an airline on earth that cares less about its alliance membership. Qantas’ closest partnership is with Emirates, while the airline has actively done what it can to block oneworld partner Qatar Airways. This has caused Qatar Airways to invest in Qantas competitor Virgin Australia, to grow its South Pacific presence.
Qantas of course also has a joint venture with American, though that’s a longstanding partnership that doesn’t seem to be directly about the alliance. With Qantas having Paris as one of its European destinations, it’s logical that the airline would want to create as much connectivity there as possible.
In the case of Air France-KLM, Qantas is obviously better than nothing, but that’s about it. It seems like the direct upside for Air France-KLM is pretty limited, if passengers are being booked on the Qantas long haul sector, and only flying Air France-KLM on the intra-Europe flight.
Then again, what else is Air France-KLM supposed to do for South Pacific connectivity? I suppose the airline could funnel more people through Seoul Incheon with connections on Korean Air, but it’s not exactly a huge station for Air France-KLM. While Garuda Indonesia and Vietnam Airlines are also part of SkyTeam, the partnership there isn’t otherwise that close.
Bottom line
Air France-KLM and Qantas have expanded their partnership. Air France is now codesharing on Qantas’ Paris to Perth flight, while Flying Blue members can now redeem miles for Qantas first class, and Flying Blue Ultimate members get Qantas First Lounge access.
There’s talk of more loyalty perks coming soon, so I’m curious to see what that entails. Despite the carriers otherwise not being terribly aligned, this is a logical collaboration, as there’s only upside for both airlines.
What do you make of Air France-KLM & Qantas expanding their partnership?
While I think it's a positive I would say this seems mostly rule clarification and a slight modification.
Prior, the rules were officially QF lounges are available only when booked on an AFKLM code share. Unofficially, domestic flights in Australia has lounge access and I've even entered the Qantas F lounge in Sydney at a platinum. No one knew what the rules really were. Now it'll probably be clear and spelled out exactly when and...
While I think it's a positive I would say this seems mostly rule clarification and a slight modification.
Prior, the rules were officially QF lounges are available only when booked on an AFKLM code share. Unofficially, domestic flights in Australia has lounge access and I've even entered the Qantas F lounge in Sydney at a platinum. No one knew what the rules really were. Now it'll probably be clear and spelled out exactly when and when members get access.
I doubt we'll see XP earnings. I don't think AFKL has any incentive too open that can of worms.
AF is not the only European airline code-sharing on a direct service from Europe to Australia. AY and IB codeshare on the BA15/16, direct services from London to Sydney.
I honestly would love to see Qantas joining Skyteam. Their relationship with Oneworld is currently at a mess, especially with the whole beef surrounding them and Qatar Airways.
Additionally, they seem to be closer with Air France-KLM than British Airways these days because of how much they're expanding their partnership over the years.
Of course, this can lead to several consequences, especially when it comes to their Oneworld frequent flyers, but a breath of...
I honestly would love to see Qantas joining Skyteam. Their relationship with Oneworld is currently at a mess, especially with the whole beef surrounding them and Qatar Airways.
Additionally, they seem to be closer with Air France-KLM than British Airways these days because of how much they're expanding their partnership over the years.
Of course, this can lead to several consequences, especially when it comes to their Oneworld frequent flyers, but a breath of fresh air would still be very nice.
Too bad that both AF & KL terminated Australia service over the years. Guess it would not be financially feasible or competitive at present to allocate at least one of them resume service.
I don't think they currently have an aircraft of flying it non-stop and would have to again route it through a tech stop in SE Asia. Guess there's far too much competition there to even take advantage of fifth freedom rights.
AF/KLM is actually quite interestingly aligned with many OW members. You can even book JAL, MH, or Oman with Flying Blue
All this makes perfect sense, but it would still be hilarious if AF/KLM and Delta invested in QF and brought it into SkyTeam with joint ventures. What an indictment of how badly run AA is that would be (not that we need any more proof).
While I don't see it realistically joining SkyTeam, QF would be a lot more prosperous in SkyTeam vs. how it currently is in oneworld.
How do you figure?
I don’t see the mutual benefit.
AF KL getting access to QF F redemptions.
AF KL getting access to QF F class lounges.
And QF is getting……..?
AF KL customers booking codeshares on QF metal?
@Duck Ling, QF is getting a vast array of European destinations without even needing to subject its passengers to the chronic mess that's LHR.
QF already has a lot of European destinations available with one stop in Dubai. Codesharing with AFKLM will open up smaller airports, but you could already book those connections by using a competent agent to book your tickets.
You assume Delta hasn't already tried... but failed ;) It would be rather foolish to assume they haven't tried after losing Virgin to United. You may dislike AA but AA belongs to the largest alliance on the West Coast and AA is the largest domestic airline in the US, Delta is not close.
Delta has a lot of things going for it, but the weakest alliance on the west coast isn't a huge sales point...
You assume Delta hasn't already tried... but failed ;) It would be rather foolish to assume they haven't tried after losing Virgin to United. You may dislike AA but AA belongs to the largest alliance on the West Coast and AA is the largest domestic airline in the US, Delta is not close.
Delta has a lot of things going for it, but the weakest alliance on the west coast isn't a huge sales point for QF. Nor is being Nouveau riche at LAX with the lowest loyalty penetration of the US3 in the LA area. Being the biggest Delta-only metal at LAX for about two years is pretty meaningless when AA/AS are still bigger easily.
Project Sunrise could make ATL but does QF really want to give up DFW's access for ATL? Perhaps, but I doubt it. DFW does everything ATL does and more without backtrack for Qantas.