#1 It's all about flying Qantas Frequent Flyer now
Qantas' restructure is mostly about two things: focusing its efforts on the rapidly expanding Asian travel market, and scaling back its other international operations a bit, replacing them with other airlines' flights.
The secret sauce to making all this work is allowing Qantas Frequent Flyer members to get where they want to go on an airline that still lets them earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points. That way, they still feel like they're "in the family" even if Qantas no longer operates the flights.
As a result, Qantas can grow its greatest asset even further -- the Frequent Flyer program -- while cutting back on the less profitable parts of its flight operations and spending that money instead on much more profitable markets like Asia. (It's no secret that Qantas Frequent Flyer makes a lot more money for Qantas than actually flying planes.)
#2 The only way to fly Qantas to London will be via Singapore
QF1 has long been Qantas' iconic flight -- from Sydney to London via Bangkok. No longer, it seems.
All Qantas-operated flights to London will go via Singapore, and while Qantas will continue flying to Hong Kong and Bangkok, you'll need to catch a British Airways flight onwards if you want to go to London.
That's not necessarily a bad thing -- Singapore Airport attracts continual praise for its great facilities, and Singapore's not a bad place for a stopover.
#3 More options for Europe
Qantas passengers have traditionally had to land in London or Frankfurt before they can go on elsewhere in Europe.
The options may no longer be so limited -- Qantas is considering using Malaysia Airlines to take people onwards from a drop-off point (presumably Kuala Lumpur) to Istanbul, Rome and Amsterdam.
This rather explains why Qantas is sponsoring Malaysia Airlines into oneworld. It's all about earning and burning Qantas Frequent Flyer points.
#4 Next-gen check-in is expanding internationally
A small tidbit out of today's announcement is that Qantas is expanding its one-touch next-gen check-in system to international flights, starting with New Zealand.
#5 Platinum One is coming, with "money-can't-buy" experiences.
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce joked that he was going to get his Chief Pilot to give out Platinum One cards to passengers, Up in the Air style, but he did let slip that one of the amazing rewards of being a Platinum One member will be the opportunity to take a real Qantas pilot training Flight Simulator for a spin. Now that is the kind of airline reward worth waiting for!
17 Jun 2011
Total posts 64
You forgot:
#6 Between JetConnect and the new Singapore offshore entity good luck trying to fly on a truly Australian international seat
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 May 2011
Total posts 232
I still think they need better route into the Middle East.
To get to anywhere in the Middle East you will still need to make 2 stops because you have to switch to Royal Jordanian somwhere in Asia, and then go to their hub in Amman.
Qantas
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 177
Yes, that's a good point... for all Qantas' bluster about Middle East airlines coming into Australia and stealing their business, they're not doing a very good job of getting passengers to the Middle East themselves...
03 Jan 2011
Total posts 665
Not to mention Africa. With no African oneworld airline, connecting through Jo'burg involves an alliance switch to South African Airways or Kenya Airways. Emirates is just eating up that otherwise underserved continent, even if the planes it uses from Dubai to Africa aren't entirely up to its international standard.
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Qantas changes: top 5 things you need to know