Qantas will restart its Sydney-London route on 14 November after the Australian government announced the country’s borders will reopen next month.
The national carrier will operate a three-weekly return service on its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Flights for Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate families are now on sale and cost $1,869 (£1,002).
The airline will also restart a three-weekly return service from Sydney to Los Angeles.
It claimed the two locations have been the most searched destinations on its website in recent weeks and capacity will be increased if needed.
Flights will be brought forward earlier than 14 November or moved later depending on the exact date Australia opens its borders.
Customers booked on these flights will have the flexibility to make ’fee free’ date changes for travel until 31 December 2022. If flights are cancelled, consumers may also be eligible for a refund or credit voucher.
All passengers on Qantas’ international flights will be required to be fully vaccinated and will also have to return a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to departure.
Customers will also be required to home quarantine for seven days on arrival into Australia.
Qantas Group chief executive Alan Joyce said the early reopening of Australia’s borders will "mean so much to so many people".
"We know Australians can’t wait to travel overseas and be reunited with their loved ones, and literally thousands are waiting to come back home, so this faster restart is fantastic news. It also means we can get more of our people back to work, sooner," he added.
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