Qantas and Jetstar are taking to the sky this week with over 50 flights operated entirely by women in the lead up to International Women’s Day 2025.
Taking off from today, the flights aim to inspire the next generation of girls and women to explore career opportunities within the aviation industry, particularly in roles which may be traditionally male dominated.
The flights will be planned, dispatched and operated by over 250 female pilots, cabin crew, engineers, airport and operations centre team members across Qantas, QantasLink and Jetstar, and span over 20 routes in Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
The first flight, a Jetstar service from Adelaide to Sydney, will take off this morning followed by a range of flights throughout the week including Sydney to Hobart, Brisbane to Geraldton, Cairns to Melbourne, Sydney to Perth, Auckland to Christchurch and Tokyo to Fukuoka.
Second Officer B787 Brigitte Howe said she was proud to stand amongst her female colleagues to recognise how far the aviation industry has come and the incredible career paths available to women.
“It’s exciting to see incredible talent across Qantas and Jetstar come together in force so more flights than ever before can soar in recognition of International Women’s Day,” said Ms Howe.
“These flights are a celebration of all the women who paved the path for the next generation and are ensuring today’s teams can thrive in a more diverse workplace. My hope is that young girls see these these flights and are inspired to take up a career in aviation working beside supportive, passionate, inclusive and seriously talented women.”
Jetstar’s Senior Manager of Flying Operations Captain Lizzie Archibald emphasised that the all-female crews highlight the exceptional talent and leadership women bring to the aviation industry.
“Jetstar is proud to have women in leadership positions across the airline, inspiring the next generation of female leaders,” said Captain Archibald.
“Today’s flights are such an important moment to showcase to young girls and women all the different career paths aviation can offer, including pilots and engineers.
“From the flight deck and cabin, to the operations centre, engineering, ground staff, and corporate teams, this week is an opportunity to celebrate the invaluable contributions of women to the world of aviation every day.”
Qantas Group gender equality initiatives
Aviation has historically been male dominated, with men still holding the majority of roles as pilots and engineers. The Qantas Group has been working to address this gender imbalance but recognises there is still a lot more work to do. Some of key initiatives include:
- The Qantas Group Pilot Academy has doubled the number of scholarships to 20 for female and First Nations students, helping to broaden the talent pipeline.
- This year, women made up 20 per cent of the apprentice intake at the Qantas Group Engineering Academy, marking an important step to grow the next generation of female engineers. In addition, a record 35 percent of Jetstar’s 2025 engineering graduates are women.
- The Qantas Group is committed to attracting more women into aviation careers through school outreach programs and work experience opportunities.
- The employee-led Altitude Network supports, educates and advocates for women across the Group to achieve gender equality.
Group Chief People Officer Catherine Walsh said: “While progress is being made, change isn’t going to happen overnight. It starts in our schools. We’re expanding our school outreach to promote aviation as a career to encourage girls to dream big when it comes to their career and follow their interests in STEM.
“Our hope is that young girls will see these incredible women thriving in a technical career to give them the confidence to explore a role that will see them in a hangar, in the flight deck or running this airline in the future.”
Images and b-roll available here featuring the women from across Qantas and Jetstar operating these flights.
Media enquiries:
- Qantas Media +61 418 210 005 qantasmedia@qantas.com.au
- Jetstar Media +61 408 134 852 jetstarmedia@jetstar.com
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International Women’s Day 2025 flights across Qantas, QantasLink and Jetstar*:
| Date | Flight number | Flight |
| Monday 3 March | JQ760 | Sydney to Adelaide |
| JQ762 | Sydney to Adelaide | |
| JQ761 | Adelaide to Sydney | |
| JQ763 | Adelaide to Sydney | |
| JQ747 | Sydney to Launceston | |
| JQ748 | Launceston to Sydney | |
| JQ986 | Sydney to Perth | |
| JQ987 | Perth to Sydney | |
| JQ433 | Gold Coast to Melbourne | |
| JQ436 | Melbourne to Gold Coast | |
| JQ941 | Cairns to Melbourne | |
| JQ229 (Jetstar New Zealand) | Auckland to Christchurch | |
| JQ230 | Christchurch to Auckland | |
| JQ759 | Brisbane to Hobart | |
| JQ758 | Hobart to Brisbane | |
| 3K765 (Jetstar Asia) | Singapore to Manilla (all female cabin crew and First Officer) | |
| GK515 (Jetstar Japan) | Tokyo to Fukuoka | |
| QF2340 | Canberra to Brisbane | |
| QF2320 | Brisbane to Bundaberg | |
| QF2321 | Bundaberg to Brisbane | |
| QF2876 | Brisbane to Moranbah | |
| QF2877 | Moranbah to Brisbane | |
| QF2480 | Cairns to Weipa | |
| QF2481 | Weipa to Cairns | |
| Tuesday 4 March | QF2341 | Brisbane to Canberra |
| QF2004 | Sydney to Tamworth | |
| QF2005 | Tamworth to Sydney | |
| QF2011 | Sydney to Orange | |
| QF2012 | Orange to Sydney | |
| QF2227 | Sydney to Wagga Wagga | |
| Wednesday 5 March | QF1445 | Sydney to Canberra |
| QF1450 | Canberra to Sydney | |
| QF1457 | Sydney to Canberra | |
| QF2220 | Wagga Wagga to Sydney | |
| Thursday 6 March | QF2347 | Cairns to Townsville |
| QF2348 | Townsville to Cairns | |
| QF2478 | Cairns to Weipa | |
| QF2479 | Weipa to Cairns | |
| QF2376 | Brisbane to Hervey Bay | |
| QF2377 | Hervey Bay to Brisbane | |
| QF2340 | Canberra to Brisbane | |
| Friday 7 March | QF2332 | Brisbane to Geraldton |
| QF2333 | Geraldton to Brisbane | |
| QF419 | Sydney to Melbourne | |
| QF2030 | Sydney to Armadale | |
| QF2031 | Armadale to Sydney | |
| QF1504 | Hobart to Sydney | |
| QF1501 | Sydney to Hobart | |
| QF2480 | Cairns to Weipa | |
| QF2481 | Weipa to Cairns | |
| QF1703 | Perth to Newman | |
| QF2209 | Sydney to Albury | |
| QF2177 | Sydney to Merimbula | |
| QF2178 | Merimbula to Sydney | |
| Saturday 8 March | QF2458Z | Brisbane to Moranbah |
| QF2457 | Moranbah to Brisbane | |
| QF2047 | Albury to Melbourne | |
| QF2078 | Melbourne to Mildura | |
| QF2079 | Mildura to Melbourne | |
| QF1501 | Sydney to Hobart |
*All flights are subject to changes due to operational requirements.