Filipinos now have more options to get to the land down under with Australian national carrier Qantas launching new nonstop flights to Brisbane, Queensland.
The Airbus A330 will fly four times per week, adding an extra 100,000 seats between the Philippines and Australia every year and is in addition to the national carrier’s existing daily services to Sydney.
Qantas first touched down in the Philippines in 1947 with Lancastrian aircraft supporting Australian Government military operations, before introducing passenger services in 1950. The Super Constellation was then introduced in 1955. The first jet flights from Manila commenced in 1961 with Boeing 707 services flying to Sydney and forgoing the need of a stopover for the first time.
Today, the Flying Kangaroo operates over 300,000 seats between the Philippines and Australia every year and will celebrate 75 years of passenger services between the two countries in 2025.
The new service also gives more options for Filipinos travelling to New Zealand, with connections to Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown via Brisbane.
Comments from Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace:
“The Philippines is a very strong market for Qantas and we are pleased to be responding to demand for our services with the addition of flights to Brisbane.
“We know a lot of our customers travel to Brisbane via Sydney, so this new direct flight will make it easier and faster for Filipinos to get to Queensland in a single hop aboard the Flying Kangaroo.
“Just a short overnight flight away, Brisbane is the perfect starting point to Australia. Once in Queensland, you can explore the seemingly endless pristine beaches, incredible rainforests and vast country plains – as well as our friendly Australian hospitality.”
Key information
- QF98 from Manila to Brisbane departs at 0245 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays
- Flight time is approximately 7 hours and 45 minutes
- Qantas services between the Philippines and Australia are operated by its fleet of Airbus A330-200 aircraft with 27 business class suites in 1-2-1 configuration, each featuring direct aisle access and converting into a lie-flat bed, and 269 economy seats
- All Qantas international fares include checked baggage allowance, food and beverages and inflight entertainment with every booking
- Qantas A330 imagery available here
Fares on the new Qantas flights are available at qantas.com/ph or via Travel Agents.