Qantas restarts Melbourne-Delhi flights

Qantas is once again flying between Melbourne and Delhi, although the route has been scaled back to a seasonal service running only through to late March 2026.

From today, 27 October 2025, there’ll be three flights each week though to 28 March 2026.

QF69 departs Melbourne at 9:20am every Monday, Thursday and Saturday, reaching Delhi at 4:45pm.

QF70 leaves Delhi at 6:45pm the same day, with the overnight flight landing in Melbourne at 12:40pm the following afternoon.

These 13-hour treks are made on an Airbus A330 with flatbed business class, although the A330 lacks a premium economy cabin, which is becoming increasingly popular among travellers across all airlines.

Qantas suspended Melbourne-Delhi flights in June 2025 due to what it described as “some current fleet and operational requirements.”

“We’re delighted to bring back our non-stop connection between Delhi and Melbourne, just in time for the busy travel season,” says Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace.

“Flying direct significantly reduces travel time to Australia, and these new flights are perfectly suited for Indian fans attending cricket events in Melbourne” such as the Ashes and Big Bash League, Wallace added.

Qantas also maintains its Sydney-Bengaluru flights five times a week, while its low-cost sibling Jetstar is considering launching flights to India following a range-boosting upgrade to its Boeing 787s, which will also sport new business and economy seats.

As previously reported, the Oneworld alliance is considering New Delhi as a potential location for its next wave of branded airport lounges.

Ten Oneworld airlines, including Qantas, now fly to the Indian capital, but none has its own lounge.

Opportunities for Air India and Indigo

There’s also an uptick in interest from Indian airlines flying to Australia.

IndiGo and Air India could begin flying to the new Western Sydney International (WSI) airport due to open at the end of 2026.

Both airlines are gearing up for international growth with factory-fresh jets on order from Airbus and Boeing.

Destination NSW’s Country Manager for India, Samar Chokshi, has confirmed “discussions are on with Air India and IndiGo to operate direct flights to this airport once they get new aircraft.”

Travel to Australia from India was “growing exponentially, in high double digits,” Chokshi noted – and in common with worldwide trends, there’s also been a “dramatic shift” into premium cabins.

As a result, airlines “are investing a lot more in the front of the aircraft in the products, and updating the products and experiences in the front and catering to Indian dietary needs.”

Air India is particularly keen on adding more flights to Australia as its international fleet expands, with its prospects buoyed by new first and business class suites and a rebooted frequent flyer program.

Australia holds “plenty of untapped potential” for Air India, CEO Campbell Wilson has previously noted.

“Clearly there’s a huge amount of opportunity to grow, not just in terms of frequency, but certainly in respect of city coverage” – which could land Brisbane on the Star Alliance member’s network map.

The Indian flag-carrier  currently flies “only to Sydney and Melbourne, and only 17 times a week,” Wilson said.

“We see a significant opportunity with the Indian diaspora, and Australia is ranked, I think, in the top three of the markets Indians want to travel to.”