Qantas relaunch Brisbane-Tokyo flights
Qantas will connect Brisbane to Tokyo Haneda three times a week from tomorrow. The airline plans to operate the service three times a week, with assistance from the Government of Queensland, as part of an AU$200 million (FJ$297 million) tourism package through the Attracting Aviation Investment Fund to attract international visitors to the sunshine state.
Thrice a week
Travelers heading for Japan will depart on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
With a flight time of nine hours and 30 minutes, travelers can stretch out in the 28-lie flat business class seats, or enjoy Qantas’s economy class offering in the 269 seats at the rear of the aircraft.
Qantas will not offer premium economy on the route.
Australians flock to the land of the rising sun (Japan) to enjoy the abundance of skiing opportunities, with Qantas noting that forward booking is tracking well. The direct service from Brisbane to Tokyo will further complement the airline’s wide range of services between other major Australian centers, along with Jetstar’s lowcost routes from the Gold Coast (OOL) and Cairns (CNS) flying direct to Japan.
Competition
Competition between Australia and Japan is starting to heat up, with 38 per cent of Aussies wanting to travel to Japan in the next six months.
Qantas has an extensive reach to Japan with both QF and JQ, further complemented by Japan Airlines and All Nippon.
Virgin had high hopes to solidify its presence in Brisbane, announcing direct flights to Japan before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the airline entered administration and relinquished many international routes.