The holiday season is upon us, and Qantas and Jetstar are gearing up for what promises to be one of their busiest Christmas travel periods in years.
With more than 8.5 million people expected to take to the skies on nearly 70,000 flights throughout December and January, this surge marks a significant increase from the previous year and the highest numbers since 2019-20.
Flying High: The Numbers Game
Friday, December 15, is slated to be the single busiest day of travel for the Qantas Group, with an estimated 150,000 customers crisscrossing the skies throughout the day.
As the numbers soar, Qantas and Jetstar are leaving no stone unturned to enhance the customer experience during this hectic period.
On-Time Performance
Qantas proudly claims the title of the most on-time major domestic airline for the past 14 months. Demonstrating a commitment to punctuality, the airline has also boasted the lowest cancellations over the past six months.
Jetstar, witnessing a surge in performance as supply chain issues wane and new aircraft join its fleet, is aligning itself for a smoother journey into the summer.
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Operational Preparedness
To mitigate disruptions, up to 13 jet aircraft, including the impressive Airbus A380, will be on standby as operational spares. This move aims to provide an additional buffer in case of unforeseen challenges.
The workforce has also seen a significant boost, with the recruitment of almost 3,300 operational employees in the past year, encompassing cabin crew, pilots, engineers, and airport customer service staff.
Having faced a year of drama and criticism, Qantas has invested heavily in the development of the customer experience.
With a whopping $230 million allocated this financial year, the airline is implementing various initiatives to alleviate pain points.
These include more Frequent Flyer reward seats, a major Qantas app upgrade incorporating baggage tracking, enhanced inflight catering, and improved customer recovery for major flight delays.
International Expansion
In response to the surging demand for international travel, the Qantas Group is significantly expanding its international capacity this summer.
Some notable developments include Qantas doubling its Australia-Japan flights, the resumption of flights to New York via Auckland, the reinstatement of Shanghai-Sydney flights, and Jetstar’s commencement of flights between Melbourne and Fiji.
Popular Destinations: Where to Next?
Bali, Auckland, Singapore, Tokyo, and London top the charts as the most sought-after international destinations this holiday season.
Domestically, the Gold Coast, Cairns, Melbourne, and Perth emerge as hotspots for those seeking a summer escape.
Deals and Discounts
Throughout December and January, Jetstar is offering one-way fares from $66 (Sydney to Gold Coast) and $199 (Melbourne to Singapore).
Qantas, not to be outdone, provides one-way fares from $155 (Sydney to Melbourne) and $169 (Adelaide to Hobart). For savvy travelers, mid-week fares offer the best value, making holiday dreams more accessible.
For those yet to book their holiday travel, consider mid-week fares for optimal value. Customers holding a Qantas COVID credit can use it until December 31, 2023, with the added bonus of double Qantas Points.
To seize this opportunity, you can register here and book an eligible flight with a QF flight number by December 31, 2023.
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