Qantas is set to deepen its commitment to the African market with the launch of a new direct service between Johannesburg and Perth, commencing 7 December 2025. This long-anticipated route marks a major milestone in the airline’s international strategy, strengthening air connectivity between South Africa and Australia, and providing travellers with greater convenience, flexibility, and network access.
The new route QF66 will operate three times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays using a state-of-the-art Airbus A330. The aircraft is configured with 27 fully lie-flat business class suites in a 1-2-1 layout and 224 economy seats, ensuring both comfort and efficiency on the near 10-hour transcontinental flight.
For South African travellers, the new service offers direct access to Perth and seamless onward connections to key Australian cities such as Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide via Qantas’ extensive domestic network. The airline is also opening up a convenient one-stop connection to New Zealand, following the launch of its direct Perth Auckland service also beginning in December offering South Africans a streamlined route to multiple destinations across Australasia.
Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace expressed enthusiasm about the expansion, stating:
“We’re so excited to be launching a brand-new route between Johannesburg and Perth, unlocking more travel options for South Africans looking to explore Australia, reconnect with family and friends, or discover somewhere new. With the introduction of these new flights, Qantas will now operate daily between Australia and South Africa, offering even more choice and flexibility for travellers.”
The announcement comes on the back of Qantas’ recent deployment of its Airbus A380 on the Sydney–Johannesburg route, which nearly doubled capacity and reintroduced First Class service, reflecting the airline’s growing confidence in the South Africa–Australia travel market. Having maintained operations between the two countries since 1952, Qantas is now poised to enter a new era of connectivity with more frequent flights, wider access to destinations, and enhanced onboard experiences.
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