Qantas Perth-Johannesburg flights start November 1

The former South African Airways route will be taken over by the Flying Kangaroo.

By David Flynn, June 24 2022
Qantas Perth-Johannesburg flights start November 1

Qantas will begin flying between Perth and Johannesburg from November 1, fulfilling its long-harboured ambition to take on the 11 hour trek.

The flights will run three days a week on an Airbus A330 with 27 business suites and 224 economy seats, but no premium economy, to the following schedule:

  • QF65 would depart Perth at 3pm, to reach Johannesburg at 8.15pm the same day
  • QF66 would be wheels-up from Johannesburg at 10:00pm, arriving into Perth at 1.15pm the following day

Seats will be released for sale later today, Friday June 24.

The route was previously exclusive to South African Airways, although the beleaguered carrier stopped flying to Perth in early 2020 as the pandemic set in.

Qantas cites the large South African community in Perth as fuelling demand for people visiting family and friends as well as business and leisure travellers; and as with its flights from Perth to London and Rome, Qantas also expects travellers from many other Australian cities will head to Perth for their Jo'burg trip.

That said, the airline’s existing Sydney-Johannesburg Boeing 787 service will not only remain but see a boost from four flights per week to daily as of October 30.

It’s expected the Perth flights will depart from the same international wing of its Perth T3 terminal as used by non-stop services to London and Rome.

Qantas initially hoped to challenge SAA on the Perth-Johannesburg route in late 2018, with four direct Airbus A330 flights a week running on a seasonal basis from November-March.

However, in June 2018 the airline revealed it had scrapped those plans due to ongoing disputes with Perth Airport – particularly with regard to Qantas' desire to run its Perth flights from the international wing of its integrated T3/T4 hub, rather than Perth's dedicated T1 international terminal used by other airlines.

This would streamline connection for Qantas' domestic passengers flying to Perth to make the journey to Johannesburg, and remove the need for aircraft to be towed between the domestic and international terminals.

Ahead the return flight to Perth, lounge-worthy passengers would have access to British Airways’ Johannesburg lounge, which the Oneworld member describes as incorporating “the best of British and South African design.”

24 Aug 2011

Total posts 1205

What is happening with the construction of the new Qantas terminal within the main terminal complex at PER?  The existing QF domestic terminal is pretty average and really just a group of 60's and '70s buildings joined together.  The old AN/VA part did have a fair bit of asbestos in it; I have no idea whether this has been removed. This terminal is not part of the airport's master plan and has no connection to the new rail connection to the CBD.

QF and Perth Airport need to set a firm timeframe for the new terminal extension at T1.  

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

15 Aug 2017

Total posts 118

Nothing at the moment Reeves35. I would say Covid and it’s associated financial hit to Perth Airport has probably pushed it out a few years too. 

I feel that Qantas should look at the whole picture and start PER-CPT prior to Project Sunrise. This will give Qantas two ports and giving  Aussies an option to fly in it JNB and out of CPT. This will make travelling South Africa a lot easier than putting all their eggs in one basket and not tapping into the Cape Town market.

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1424

Reeves I think that is on the back burner while Perth airport gets its finances back together post Covid. My guess would be a start on that around 2025. There is also the matter of the new runway.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

18 Jan 2016

Total posts 9

Hi David, have they indicated yet which days they will be flying out of Perth?

01 Dec 2012

Total posts 53

Hi Papeto: schedule is now loaded on QF website. Flights depart Perth Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; and leave JNB same days for an overnight flight to PER.

06 Jan 2017

Total posts 15

Great news, let’s hope it increases to daily before to long.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

24 Jun 2022

Total posts 2

Qantas used to do MEL-JNB some 20 years ago. Wish they would bring that back, it's a pain going to Sydney and change airports.

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1424

Now you can go via Perth and be in the same terminal.

28 Jun 2019

Total posts 1

Particularly as the SYN-JNB flight then flies back over Melbourne anyway...

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

11 Jul 2017

Total posts 6

Great to see Qantas back on this route - have great memories of flying this route in December 1968,  similar timing, left a little earlier as the 707 had to stop in Mauritius..  A very comfortable flight as I recall, even in economy, though cost astronomical in today's dollars.

23 Aug 2011

Total posts 69

The timings on the new flights are pretty ordinary 1500 dep from Perth and arrival JNB 2015. Rules out connections to most SA and reginal cities.

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1424

Autline, the timing is very good for Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide connections though.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 Apr 2016

Total posts 58

Good to see in the same announcement from Qantas that they have also started Perth to Jakarta flights.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 Apr 2016

Total posts 58

Now we just need to see Qantas start a Perth to KL flight 


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