Qantas to launch first A220 international flight amid network boost

Qantas has announced a raft of changes to its overseas network, including deploying its Airbus A220s on its first international route, as well as boosting capacity to North America by about 13%. The airline says its network boost comes as more A220s enter its fleet, coupled with the return to service of its last two A380s. In total, the Oneworld carrier will add around 200,000 international seats across a 12-month period from February 2025. The airline will launch five weekly flights between Darwin and Singapore with the A220, replacing the Embraer E190s that were originally meant to operate the route. It is also the A220’s first international route since its entry into Qantas’ fleet in February this year. Qantas was to begin flying from Darwin to Singapore in November, but has pushed back the launch date to March, allowing it to utilise its A220s. Qantas currently has four A220s in its fleet, operating them on domestic and regional routes in Australia. The airline also expects its remaining two A380s to return to service in 2025 after being parked during the pandemic. This would allow Qantas to deploy the A380 on flights between Sydney and Dallas Fort-Worth from August 2025, after a hiatus of about five years. The route is currently flown daily with Boeing 787-9s, and will see a mix of 787 and A380 flights from August next year.<br/>