Qantas is introducing new service to Singapore, though it’ll look a bit different than the carrier’s other service to Asia…
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Qantas’ Darwin to Singapore route launches March 2025
As of March 30, 2025, Qantas will add a new nonstop flight between Darwin (DRW) and Singapore (SIN). This service will be operated 5x weekly with the following schedule:
QF281 Darwin to Singapore departing 3:55PM arriving 7:15PM
QF282 Singapore to Darwin departing 10:25PM arriving 4:45AM (+1 day)
The 2,075-mile flight is blocked at 4hr50min in each direction (Darwin is in one of those weird 30 minute timezones). The route will operate in each direction every day except Tuesdays and Thursdays.
This service between the Northern Territory and Singapore represents a route resumption, as the airline last flew this route in 2006. Qantas will be going head-to-head against Singapore Airlines in this market, which operates the route using a Boeing 737 MAX 8.
This will be Qantas’ sixth route to Singapore, as the airline also flies there from Brisbane (BNE), London (LHR), Melbourne (MEL), Perth (PER), and Sydney (SYD). For customers traveling to and from Darwin, this will save them about five hours off the journey time to London, as they’ll no longer have to connect via another airport.
Here’s how Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace describes this new service:
“We’re thrilled to be offering our customers another new international route out of Darwin and strengthening the important trade, business and tourism links between Australia and Singapore.”
“The direct service is not just great news for Territorians wanting to visit Singapore, but also for those travelling to London, Europe and across Southeast Asia, with connections to popular destinations like Phuket and Kuala Lumpur with our partner airlines, saving hours of travel time.”
“This new route also allows us to restore the link to the UK which was established when international borders first reopened after the pandemic and we temporarily re-routed our London flight via Darwin with the support of the Northern Territory Government and Darwin Airport.”
“As the national carrier, we’re committed to showcasing the best of Australia to visitors from around the globe. This new service makes it much easier for Qantas customers from the UK, Europe and across Asia to incorporate Darwin into their Australian itinerary and experience everything the Territory has to offer.”
This service will be operated by a QantasLink A220
Perhaps what’s most interesting about this new service is which plane will be operating the route. Qantas will operate its new Darwin to Singapore route using an Airbus A220-300, belonging to subsidiary QantasLink.
The route was initially supposed to launch as of December 2024, but Qantas postponed the launch of this service. Furthermore, initially the route was supposed to be operated by a QantasLink Embraer E190, so the “upgrade” to the A220 translates to significant additional capacity (not to mention a much better passenger experience).
Qantas A220-300s feature 137 seats, including 10 business class seats and 127 economy seats:
- Business class is in a 2-2 configuration, with 37″ of seat pitch, three charging options, a built-in tablet holder, and Wi-Fi
- Economy class is in a 2-3 configuration, with 30″ of seat pitch, two charging options, a drop down tablet holder, and Wi-Fi
Unfortunately from a passenger experience standpoint, Qantas product will pale in comparison to what Singapore Airlines offers, especially in business class.
Qantas has long claimed that the economics of a route like this wouldn’t work with a larger mainline jet. This is Qantas’ second international route out of Darwin, after its service to Dili, Timor-Leste.
Suffice it to say that this Qantas jet will look a bit different than the A330s, 787s, and A380s, that Qantas otherwise flies to the airport.
Bottom line
As of March 2025, Qantas will be launching a new route between Darwin and Singapore, adding yet another destination for the oneworld carrier at Changi, and facilitating easier connections to London and beyond. What makes this route most noteworthy is that it’s operated by a QantasLink Airbus A220, so the plane will look mighty different than Qantas’ other aircraft at the airport.
What do you make of Qantas’ new Darwin to Singapore route?
The 30 minute TZ was Australia’s worst compromise between businessmen who wanted to match Sydney/Melbourne & everyone else who wanted the actual correct TZ based on longitude LOL
That 30' space would make the economy seat very uncomfortable. It does not matter how advanced the technology is or 2-3 seat map.
SIA 737s also have 30 inches seat pitch for economy class, and given that 2-3 seating on an A220 is better than 3-3 on a 737, the only part where Qantas A223 Y is inferior to SIA B38M Y, is just lack of personal IFE screens. Of course SIA have significant advantages when it comes to business class and overall service, though.