Qantas

Qantas

Qantas Airways Limited, commonly referred to as Qantas, is the flag carrier of Australia and its largest airline by fleet size, international flights, and international destinations. The name "Qantas" is an acronym for "Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services," and it is colloquially known as "The Flying Kangaroo." Founded in November 1920, it is the third oldest airline in the world, after KLM and Avianca.

History

Qantas was founded in Winton, Queensland, on 16 November 1920 by Paul McGinness, Hudson Fysh, Fergus McMaster, and Arthur Baird. Initially, the airline operated air mail services subsidized by the Australian government, linking remote communities in the outback.

In 1934, Qantas and Britain's Imperial Airways formed a new company, Qantas Empire Airways Limited (QEA), to operate the Singapore to Brisbane leg of the "Kangaroo Route" to London. During World War II, Qantas operated flying boats on the Australia-England route in cooperation with BOAC.

After the war, Qantas began its first services outside the British Empire, to Tokyo and Hong Kong. In 1958, Qantas became one of the first airlines to operate round-the-world services.

Fleet

Qantas operates a mixed fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, including the Airbus A380, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and Boeing 737. The airline is known for its safety record and has been consistently ranked as one of the safest airlines in the world.

Destinations

Qantas serves a wide range of destinations across the globe, with a strong presence in Asia, the Americas, Europe, and Oceania. The airline is a member of the Oneworld airline alliance, which allows it to offer extensive connectivity through its partner airlines.

Frequent Flyer Program

The Qantas Frequent Flyer program is one of the most popular loyalty programs in Australia. Members can earn points through flights, credit card spending, and purchases with partner retailers. Points can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other rewards.

Safety Record

Qantas has a reputation for safety and has been featured in various media as one of the safest airlines in the world. The airline has not had a fatal jet airliner accident since the advent of the jet era.

Also see

• Airline
• Oneworld
• Boeing 787
• Airbus A380
• Frequent Flyer Program