Seven months after commencing the route, Qantas has announced that it will indefinitely suspend its Melbourne-Honolulu (QF105/106) service. The suspension will take effect from early next year.
“Following the seasonal suspension of Melbourne – Honolulu in February and March next year, we have made the decision not to resume the service,” Qantas said in a statement sent to Karryon.
The airline said demand for the Melbourne flights hasn’t been strong enough to maintain the service.
It will continue to run three flights per week on the route before its cancellation.
It’s not all bad news for Hawaiʻi-bound travel, however, with Qantas also announcing a capacity increase from its main Hawaiian gateway, Sydney.
“As a result, and to reflect where we are seeing growing demand, Sydney – Honolulu will increase from five to six times weekly, with seven weekly services operating in April to facilitate the transition,” it added in its statement.
According to the carrier, the SYD-HNL route has been performing well, with demand exceeding that of its Victorian service.
“Customers booked on Melbourne – Honolulu services from late February will be contacted and offered rebooking on our Sydney – Honolulu services or a full refund,” it added.
The airline said the aircraft used on the Melbourne route, an Airbus A330-200, will be redeployed to routes with stronger demand, including east-west flights to Perth.
Qantas began flying non-stop between Tullamarine and Hawaiʻi in early May 2025, adding over 40,000 seats per year to the Aloha State’s capital.
The service added to Qantas’ Sydney-Honolulu flights and Jetstar’s Melbourne-Honolulu and Sydney-Honolulu services, which operate eight times per week.
