Qantas is preparing for a significant expansion of its presence in Japan with the launch of double daily services between Australia and Tokyo this weekend.
Qantas flight QF25 will depart from Sydney to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport tonight, followed by the departure of QF61 from Brisbane to Narita Airport tomorrow morning.
Qantas International CEO Gareth Evans said the almost doubling of capacity to Tokyo marked a new era for the national carrier’s presence in Japan in the wake of a growing Australia-Japan travel market.
“This significant capacity expansion has been extremely well-received by Qantas customers and especially by corporate travellers heading directly to downtown Tokyo, who can now save up to one and a half hours on their airport commute by flying into or out of Haneda,” said Mr Evans.
“Customers travelling on the new Brisbane-Narita route can explore Tokyo or beyond with popular holiday destinations across Jetstar Japan’s extensive domestic network, like Sapporo, Fukuoka and Osaka.
“We’ll be working closely with our tourism partners to showcase all that Australia has to offer for the Japanese audience, and with a free trade agreement in place we’re anticipating healthy demand for travel in both directions,” added Mr Evans.
Launch celebrations will commence at Brisbane International Airport Saturday 1st of August with Japanese-themed activity throughout the terminal and a water cannon salute to mark the departure of QF61.
Traditional Japanese ceremonies marking Qantas’ new Tokyo – Australia services will take place at both Narita and Haneda Airports later that evening.
Qantas’ Brisbane-Narita launch flights will be operated by the airline’s refurbished A330 aircraft, with lie-flat seats in Business, brand new Economy seats and new inflight entertainment. The refit of these aircraft, which takes one month each, is being done at Qantas’ heavy maintenance facility in Brisbane. These aircraft are being introduced progressively onto Asian routes.
To celebrate the launch of the new Japan services, customers onboard flights departing to Narita and Haneda and in Qantas International Lounges in Sydney and Brisbane will be treated to Japanese-inspired menus for the first week of August, including Tuna Tataki Nigiri in Business, and Green Tea flavoured Kit Kats in Premium Economy and Economy.
Qantas has today launched sale fares to Tokyo, with return Economy fares available to Narita from $799 and to Haneda from $899 until 10 August 2015, unless sold old out prior. Selected travel dates and days apply. For terms and conditions and to book, visit http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/flights-japan/au/en.
The launch of double daily Qantas flights to Tokyo follows Jetstar’s introduction of its Boeing 787 Dreamliner on the Melbourne-Narita route earlier this month, increasing the available seats between the two cities by 20 per cent over the next year. The upgrade from Airbus A330 aircraft to the higher capacity B787 will be complemented by an increase in flights from four to six per week December to March to meet growing demand for flights between Melbourne and Japan in the peak season.