Qantas Chicago flights start 2020, is non-stop to Seattle next?
By Chris Chamberlin, June 18 2019
Qantas plans to begin non-stop flights from Brisbane to both Chicago and San Francisco by the end of April 2020, but that doesn't mean Seattle has been crossed off the list.
Speaking with Executive Traveller at the announcement of the direct Chicago flights, Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce says there are potentially more US destinations to come.
“When we’ll start off, Brisbane-Chicago is four flights a week, and Brisbane-San Francisco is three flights a week. We’ll want to get to daily flights as fast as we can, and that will be our first priority,” says Joyce.
“We’re also very keen on other destinations in the US, and as we have more Boeing 787s coming, as we show that these (existing) routes make sense, we’ll be looking to further growth."
Seattle was widely considered as a Plan B should the US Department of Transport not agree to Qantas' proposed joint venture with American Airlines – a partnership now tentatively approved and awaiting the formality of a rubber stamp – and would see Qantas deepen its relationship with Alaska Airlines.
As home to technology giants such as Microsoft and Amazon plus 'satellite' offices of Silicon Valley-based companies like Google and Facebook, along with a wide range of start-ups, Seattle's tech cred is an obvious drawcard and comes second only to San Francisco as the USA's top tech market.
However, Seattle is also a refreshingly different US city with plenty of appeal in its own right; serves as a gateway to Canada via Vancouver; and anchors a sizeable cruise market into Alaska and tours through the Canadian Rockies, with several cruising and travel companies already booking blocks of seats on Air Canada flights between Australia and Vancouver.
As to why Chicago and San Francisco won over the likes of Seattle or Dallas/Fort Worth, Joyce explains: “We did a real review of all of the potential routes we could do (out of Brisbane) with American Airlines, and our partner Alaska Airlines.”
“We did the maths, we did the numbers on it, and we felt that Chicago and San Francisco are the two best routes for us.”
Chris Chamberlin is the Associate Editor of Executive Traveller, and lives by the motto that a journey of a thousand miles begins not just with a single step, but also a strong latte, a theatre ticket, and later in the day, a good gin and tonic.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Oct 2014
Total posts 633
It is great to see QF diversifying it's old "Air Sydney" international model to finally share the love around its vast Australian network. SYD, MEL and BNE are their three largest network markets. The real challenge will be to extend this philosophy to Australian international gateways including PER, ADL and DRW where SE Asian carriers such as SQ, CX, CZ and MH are eating QF's lunch daily.
With the eventual development of Project Sunrise running in parallel with the B787 strategy, one has to wonder if QF will at some time consider a non-stop MIA service from the East Coast? Or perhaps, greater emphasis on South Africa non-stops to JNB and CPT (Capetown)?
Specialist routes such as these are some 5-8 years off at the earliest, but are those that could lead the way back to QF dominating the Australian international travel market. The new era of efficient smaller, long haul frames will upend the market in ways yet unimagined.
27 Apr 2017
Total posts 39
But Joyce has already stated the reason why BNE was chosen over SYD/MEL: distance.
Once Project Sunrise comes online and Qantas has the aircraft to do all these destinations from SYD/MEL, not BNE, it is unlikely that Qantas will continue to diversify beyond SYD/MEL. If anything, it is likely that there will be a shift back to SYD/MEL.
04 Feb 2013
Total posts 7
I'm not so sure about that. The Project Sunrise aircraft will seat about 300pax in a 4-class configuration, according to Joyce. That's nowhere as large as an A380 or even the B744ERs, so it won't require Qantas to funnel the same level of connecting traffic from BNE/ADL etc through SYD to fill the plane. And, the First Class configuration means it won't be suitable for a lot of destinations. As such, I suspect there will continue to be plenty of room for flights from BNE and other capitals.
American Airlines - AAdvantage
02 Jun 2019
Total posts 16
When will Alan Joyce buy more 787-9 ? Qantas has options for dozens and the 747 retires in 2020, Santiago and Johannesburg will require 787-9 too. With all the demands on the 787 fleet, it looks as the Red Roo will get more, perhaps when they order 777-8/9 Qantas will surprise us all.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Nov 2016
Total posts 134
Welcomed news from Qantas but they will need a fleet of more than 14 787s to continue this expansion strategy.
01 Nov 2018
Total posts 77
Dear Allan Joyce, why only the USA, how about countries in Europe or even Asia, what are your new 787s only geared to fly to the USA and no where else.
05 May 2016
Total posts 620
The dispute with Perth airport is claimed to be the reason for no more flights from there to Europe at this stage.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1390
Simply put from Brisbane the 787 is too much of a plane (in size and range) for Asia - the 332/333 or possibly even the newly launched 321XLR is a better fit.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Nov 2017
Total posts 291
I suspect double daily (possibly triple on some days) on the BNE-SIN route on 321XLRs may be better suited as opposed to 1 widebody, with one of those flights ideally connecting to/from QF1/QF2.
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1262
The 787-10 is also good for Bris Asia to replace the A333s, with much the same seating. The A321XLR would be perfect for Canberra/Adelaide to Singapore et al.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Sep 2012
Total posts 347
As a fairly frequent Sydney base then via Brissy to Asia on QF, I wouldn’t mind booking via Brissy to USA either. But what would be great in future is single QF terminal to make transfers seamless. The bus transfer is ok at BNE but it’s still a bus transfer.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1390
Can't see that changing - way too expensive to move the terminals.. long term BNE airport plan is for a monorail between the terminals, although id think the Heathrow style automated vehicles would be better
23 Aug 2011
Total posts 61
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Nov 2016
Total posts 134
Absolutely agree about Melbourne being the best for transfers. Am Sydney based and did the Syd-Per onnecting onto QF9 to London which was also quite easy.
Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer
24 Aug 2018
Total posts 86
Well, Chris. A very interesting discussion with most of us on the same page. Can we expect an analysis from you as soon as the announcement is made? Cheers and thanks for providing the forum.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Apr 2014
Total posts 45
Is there a possibility that Brisbane could end up scoring US pre-clearance like Shannon and Dubai have? That would be an advantage for future US flights also.
12 Feb 2014
Total posts 231
Would JFK be beyond the reach of the 787 from Brisbane? If not, then I'd rather do transfer at Brisbane than LAX and have all the domestic traffic funnelled through Queensland. I'm guessing though the logistics don't work and QF will wait for the Sunrise project to deliver an aircraft that can.
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1262
Chicago is at the very limit of its range. Much the same as Perth London but with less favorable winds
Etihad - Etihad Guest
10 Apr 2019
Total posts 4
I think they should fly direct to Mexico, This would be so good for easy access into Central America,
09 Mar 2015
Total posts 35
I'm really crossing my fingers for Seattle! No more LAX stopover, trudging between terminals and putting up with some fairly average lounges, and trying to get the timing right between the inbound Qantas flight and the onwards Alaska Airlines flight to Seattle. I'd much prefer to fly top Brisbane, pop over to the international terminal, enjoy the very good Qantas BNE lounge, step onto the Dreamliner and then, next stop Seattle!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
13 Jan 2017
Total posts 74
Non-stops are my preference, however in the meantime, ANY new route introduced that removes LAX as an intermediary step is a move forward.
17 May 2017
Total posts 11
03 Nov 2015
Total posts 10
Now that Air Canada is flying Melbourne-Vancouver this is actually my preferred way to Seattle, I don't mind a little bit of back-tracking and I'd rather transit at Vancouver than LAX any day.
Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer
24 Aug 2018
Total posts 86
If QF 09 and QF 10 can manage Perth and back from LHR, I would love to see a direct flight to and from Paris’ CDG using the B787. Given the developing commercial nexus with AF/KLM, it would appear a logical step and favoured by many Aussie francofiles.
09 Aug 2015
Total posts 75
09 Aug 2015
Total posts 75
I just checked the distances and actually a Boeing 787 to Seattle wouldn't have to fly from Brisbane, it could manage it from Sydney, and as Sydney will be a Boeing 787 base once the new jets arrive from the end of this year this would work very well. MEL-LAX is 7,921 miles but SYD-SEA is only 7,800 miles. This would be even better because Sydney is by far the larger market and would mean fewer passengers having to transit at Brisbane.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
13 Jan 2017
Total posts 74
Ah yes, but a true Sydney response.
14 Jun 2013
Total posts 360
Aren't they both about as painful? At least with a Qantas transfer in Sydney you can do it from T3, you don't have to leave the terminal to catch the bus.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
13 Jan 2017
Total posts 74
I don't fly as often as many on here YMMV, but I find the terminals less crowded, the lounges less crowded, more modern and cleaner and a less intense vibe.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2493
08 Oct 2014
Total posts 1
Once again from Perth better choices with Singapore. Given up on retaining Platinum- most of my flights are to US. Welcome back the direct Singapore NYC flights
14 Jun 2013
Total posts 360
23 Aug 2011
Total posts 61
I live in Victoria and would much prefer to transit via Sydney; ease of airside transfers and great lounges. With arrivals BNE, immigration is crowded in the AM, the bus can be crowded and, would not even know how to use the train!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Dec 2017
Total posts 1
Interesting the options that Qantas are looking at as I am really surprised that Qantas does not consider direct flights from Adelaide to the West Coast of the US. There is still a lot of traffic going via Melbourne & Sydney and I would have thought with the smaller B787 it would be on the cards. Unsure why Qantas continues to snub Adelaide for all international flights on its own metal!!!!
13 Sep 2016
Total posts 36
I doubt there's enough traffic from Adelaide to support flights to say LAX, if there was then Qantas would probably have started those flights already.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
28 Jun 2019
Total posts 1
QF will announce 4 additional 787’s in August.
United Airlines - Mileage Plus
13 Mar 2015
Total posts 79
With all these announcements I think QF should act immediately to have YVR in the list for all year around flights or at least a longer season than a month as it's today....I was trying to book something in January to fly 747 but the days I want most if it's business is full for YVR-SYD. Also AA should stop their pretentious actions and talk again with AK and WS for Codeshare /joint venture agreements to cover North America in better way for oneworld.
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