Qantas has just launched a new Airbus A380 route, which is noteworthy on a couple of levels.
In this post:
Qantas flying A380 from Sydney to Johannesburg
Qantas flies between Sydney (SYD) and Johannesburg (JNB) six times per week. Historically, the route has been operated by a Boeing 787-9. However, as of September 30, 2024, the route has been upgraded to an Airbus A380, representing a major capacity increase. Specifically, the A380 operates the route with the following schedule:
QF63 Sydney to Johannesburg departing 9:30AM arriving 4:10PM
QF64 Johannesburg to Sydney departing 6:40PM arriving 2:35PM (+1 day)
The 6,862-mile route is blocked at 14hr40min to South Africa, and 11hr55min to Australia. Qantas’ A380s are configured with 485 seats, comprised of 14 first class seats, 70 business class seats, 60 premium economy seats, and 341 economy seats.
This represents a major capacity upgrade in the market, as Qantas is adding 130,000 extra seats per year over the 787-9. This also represents the introduction of first class on the route, plus a massive increase in the number of seats across business class, premium economy, and economy.
Qantas credits the capacity boost as being thanks to a new codeshare agreement with South Africa’s Airlink, providing more connectivity for Airlink passengers beyond Johannesburg. In addition to this route being upgraded, Qantas also plans to launch a new route between Perth (PER) and Johannesburg (JNB) as of the middle of 2025.
Here’s how Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace describes this development:
“We are seeing strong demand for our Johannesburg services and, by upgrading to the Superjumbo, we will nearly double capacity during peak periods, adding over 130,000 seats per year between the continents. 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.”
“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. 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.
What makes this route noteworthy
This upgraded Johannesburg service marks the first time that Qantas has flown the Airbus A380 to Africa, so that’s pretty cool. What’s also awesome is that this is the world’s only A380 flight that crosses the southern Indian Ocean, and when flying a southerly route on a clear day, it’s often possible to see Antarctica.
Qantas has a small fleet of Airbus A380s. The airline currently has eight of these active, with another two expected to be brought back into service over the next 18 months. Qantas otherwise flies its A380s to London (LHR), Los Angeles (LAX), and Singapore (SIN).
Qantas plans to keep its A380s around until 2032 or so, at which point the planes should be replaced by Airbus A350-1000s and Boeing 787-9s, as Qantas has quite a few of those on order.
Bottom line
For the first time ever, Qantas has started flying the Airbus A380 between Sydney and Johannesburg, representing the most southerly A380 route in the world. Given Qantas’ small A380 fleet, it’s interesting to see the airline mixing up its fleet planning, and flying the A380 to Johannesburg year-round.
What do you make of Qantas flying the A380 to Johannesburg?
Historically it was operated with a 747 until the 747 was retired. I took one of the final SYD-JNB flights on the Queen of the Skies and it was fantastic.
Let's call a "spade a spade" here. It is no secret that South African Airways has had an absolute lack of widebody aircraft over the entire period of COVID and has additionally been financially challenged.
Qantas is clearly
a) finding a long-haul route for the A380-800
b) maximising available seat capacity
c) "partnering" with SAA to "provide availability to both countries"
d) maximising revenue on a highly profitable (for QF) route...
Let's call a "spade a spade" here. It is no secret that South African Airways has had an absolute lack of widebody aircraft over the entire period of COVID and has additionally been financially challenged.
Qantas is clearly
a) finding a long-haul route for the A380-800
b) maximising available seat capacity
c) "partnering" with SAA to "provide availability to both countries"
d) maximising revenue on a highly profitable (for QF) route pairing
e) seeking to increase market share
f) add in a proposed QF resumption of PER-JNB-PER sector
g) everyone forgets that SYD-CPT-SYD is on the Project Sunrise A350 list
h) over-capacity anyone?
i) all of the above
Summer will be fine, but look to reduced daily QF service during the off-season winter period. I bet the strategy of 'sale' pricing during the off-season will be highly interesting. Let's see where this leads to in 2 years because this can only be a short-term strategy. After all, SAA's resumption of JNB-PER-JNB isn't even factored in to the above points.
It was original scheduled for a July 1 launch but a bit delayed. The Antartic sea ice is at it fullest in September so most likely to see it then. 787- 9 does the route 6 days a week but 4 engines can go further south than 2 you save about 40 minutes all up.
In 2016 I booked an award ticket in J from LAX-SYD-JNB on QF. A great but long way to get there!
Shows the value of local feed!
Would it really be possible to see Antarctica? Even the perfect great circle route shown in the post (actual routing often deviates from GC), the flight path would never be closer than about 800-1000 miles north of Antarctica.
Yep. I used to fly it often on the 747 and I have taken a few snaps! It was really beautiful!
It could go farther south than the GC route depending on winds
Yes - I've also flown that route on a 747 - fabulous views....
what does joburg even have that they now had at least 5 airlines through history flying there with a380s, it's not like its new york or Singapore with businesses or even a popular tourist spot like bangkok
JNB is the business hub of southern Africa, and much of Africa as a whole.
Mining? Johannesburg.
Trading? Johannesburg.
Banking? Johannesburg.
Hub for touring the southern African diaspora? Johannesburg.
And it's also a great city unto itself as well, for those who bother to give it a chance.
There’s major Saffa diasporas in Australia and the UK, not to mention the Boers who have Dutch ancestry.
Add to it the fact that SA has a large white population who go on trips and emigrate, and you can see why there’s so much demand, especially to Europe and Australia. We have a similar dynamic here in Australia, in terms of how much demand there is for travel to Europe, despite the distance.
On top of previous replies - you have to fly via Joburg to get to Cape Town from Australia. Africa has always been a big destination from UK, no reason why it isn't from Australia, plus so many migrants have moved to Aus from Africa. Joburg is the hub to get to other parts of Africa as well.
For anyone wondering, it's not an ETOPS issue. The 787 (330 mins) can easily make it.
http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=syd-jnb&DU=mi&EV=402&EU=kts&E=330,370
Immediately checks award space for next week with all the new opened seats....no standard awards available
I’ve been trying to get award seats for June/July 2025 and there is zilch in any class. So frustrating. And I’m QF Platinum so can call to get seats released - and just no award availability.
So Qantas passengers can now fly first class to that destination.
Why nearly a 3 hour time difference in flying time.Is that correct.
@ julian zentner -- Yep, it's accurate. The winds are strong down there, and greatly impact the flying time based on whether you're going east or west.
this is fun! JNB-SYD is a unique route and the A380 is another reason to throw it on my bucket list. will try to tick it off soon