Qantas marks 90 years of international flying today. The first international passenger flight took place on 17 April 1935, connecting Brisbane and Singapore.
The inaugural flight carried only two customers on a DH86 aircraft, lasting three and a half days with 16 stops.
Since then, over 273m customers have traveled on Qantas’s international network.
The current network includes 56 routes to 34 destinations across 25 countries.
The story so far
Qantas, Australia’s largest airline, was founded in 1920 as Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited by Paul McGinness, Hudson Fysh, and Fergus McMaster. Its history reflects Australia’s aviation growth and global influence. Below is a concise timeline of key milestones:
- 1920: Founded in Winton, Queensland, initially for air mail and passenger services in outback Australia. First aircraft was an Avro 504K.
- 1922: Moved base to Longreach, Queensland, and began regular mail and passenger flights.
- 1935: First international flight as Qantas Empire Airways, connecting Darwin to Singapore.
- 1930s: Expanded internationally with flights to Singapore, partnering with Britain’s Imperial Airways (predecessor to BOAC). Introduced flying boats for trans-Pacific routes.
- 1947: Nationalized by the Australian government, becoming a fully government-owned entity.
- 1950s-60s: Entered the jet age with Boeing 707s, expanding routes to Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Iconic “Kangaroo Route” to London became a flagship service.
- 1967: Rebranded as Qantas Airways Limited, dropping “Empire.” Introduced the Boeing 747, revolutionizing long-haul travel.
- 1980s: Privatisation began, with full privatization completed in 1995, listing on the Australian Stock Exchange.
- 1992: Merged with domestic carrier Australian Airlines, strengthening its domestic network.
- 2000s: Launched low-cost subsidiary Jetstar (2003) to compete with budget airlines. Expanded global partnerships, notably with the Oneworld alliance.
- 2011: Faced significant industrial disputes, grounding its fleet briefly to resolve labor issues.
- 2014-15: Financial struggles led to restructuring, cost-cutting, and a return to profitability under Tallaght-born CEO Alan Joyce.
- 2020s: Navigated COVID-19 challenges with grounded fleets and border closures. Launched Project Sunrise for ultra-long-haul flights (e.g., Sydney to London non-stop) using Airbus A350s, with first flights planned for 2026.
- 2023: Celebrated its centenary, highlighting its role as Australia’s “Spirit of Australia” with a modernized fleet and sustainability initiatives.
Qantas has grown from a regional mail carrier to a global airline, known for its safety record, iconic branding, and resilience through economic and geopolitical challenges. Its kangaroo logo, introduced in 1944, remains a symbol of Australian identity.
