Sydney, Dec 12: Qantas and Jetstar are gearing up for one of their busiest Christmas holiday travel periods in recent memory, with more than 8.5 million passengers expected to fly on their services throughout December and January.
This marks an increase of over half a million passengers compared to the previous year and is the highest number since 2019-20.
To ensure a smooth and safe travel experience during this busy season, both airlines have been implementing various measures.
Qantas has maintained its status as the most on-time major domestic airline for 14 consecutive months, with a focus on getting customers to their destinations punctually.
Jetstar has also seen improvements in its performance as supply chain challenges ease and new aircraft join its fleet.
Additional measures in place for the summer peak include having up to 13 jet aircraft on standby as operational spares, an increased number of reserve staff for unexpected sick leave, and the recruitment of nearly 3,300 operational employees in the past year.
Furthermore, maintenance has been expedited on Qantas and Jetstar aircraft, and the airlines are collaborating with industry partners to have extra staff during peak periods.
Qantas has allocated $230 million this fiscal year to enhance the customer experience, with improvements such as more frequent flyer reward seats, baggage tracking via a major app upgrade, improved inflight catering, and more generous customer recovery for significant flight delays.
As the demand for international travel continues to rise, the Qantas Group is offering significantly more international capacity this summer compared to last year.
Notable routes include increased Australia-Japan flights, the resumption of flights to New York via Auckland, the resumption of Shanghai-Sydney flights, and Jetstar’s launch of Melbourne-Fiji services.
Popular international holiday destinations for this season include Bali, Auckland, Singapore, Tokyo, and London, while domestic hotspots include the Gold Coast, Cairns, Melbourne, and Perth.
Throughout December and January, over one million people will fly for under $100 on Jetstar, and frequent flyers will utilize hundreds of thousands of Classic Reward Seats across Qantas, Jetstar, and partner airlines.
Travelers are encouraged to explore mid-week fares for the best value.
Passengers holding a Qantas COVID credit can use it until Dec 31 and are eligible for double Qantas Points.
Online check-in is recommended, and passengers should arrive early at the airport.
Baggage limits should be adhered to, and patience and respect for airport staff, crew, and fellow travellers should be emphasized.
With an expected surge in travelers, some aspects of air travel may take longer than usual, such as security screening.
External factors like bad weather and air traffic control issues can also contribute to delays and cancellations.
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