Qantas has unveiled a range of new experiences to join the return of its customer favourites as it prepares to resume scheduled international flights next week for the first time in 20 months.
Get the champagne on ice! Because Qantas is ready to welcome back customers international take-off from next Monday, 1 November.
The airline says the international travel experience will largely be the same as pre-COVID, however, some things will look and feel a little different, particularly in the short term.
New initiatives including a customised digital travel guide for customers are designed to help passengers navigate travel requirements before they leave home.
“The safe reopening of Australia’s borders and our first international flights will be a very special day for the entire Qantas team which is excited to get back flying and help reconnect our customers with family and friends around the world,” said Stephanie Tully, Qantas Group Chief Customer Officer.
A digital solution
To help travellers feel comfortable on their journey, the airline has developed technology across its website and app and will roll out a revamped digital booking and pre-departure experience that will be tailored to each customer’s journey.
The new digital experience will guide customers through what they need to do their international travel based on government requirements at their time of travel.
This will include pre-booking, booking and pre-departure, to help guide them through each step, including regular checklists sent via text ahead of their flights.
Over the coming weeks, the digital experience will include a seamless integration with the IATA Travel Pass to help customers travel stress-free, by enabling them to upload their vaccine and testing documents and be cleared to fly before they get to the airport.
Airport check-in for international flights will also open an hour earlier than pre-COVID to allow extra time to get organised with Qantas suggesting travellers arrive four hours prior to departure.
Did someone say “new menu”?
From November onwards, Qantas will roll out a new menu across its international flights and in the lounges including a number of new plant-based options.
In response to the growing popularity, plant-based meals such as potato and celeriac gratin with roast fennel, peas, mushrooms and onion sauce and Ratatouille Pasta Bake with Herb Crumb, Cauliflower & Green Beans will be available across all cabins on international flights from mid-November.
Iconic Australian ice-creams will also be added to the inflight menu including Paddle Pops and Splices.
The new offering will also include a signature cocktail – the Qantas Sky Spritz – developed by SOFI to celebrate the return to international skies featuring Australian botanicals including Davidson Plum and Finger Lime.
The airline is restocking fridges ahead of the reopening of the Sydney International First Lounge from Monday including 125 punnets of strawberries and 25 kilograms of passionfruit a day for the signature Neil Perry pavlovas.
Qantas has also announced it will use Darwin International Airport’s Catalina Lounge as a pop-up International Transit lounge for eligible customers transiting through Darwin on their way to and from London.
Fly Well kits will continue to be available onboard and other changes to inflight services include using fully compostable paper wrappings on amenity kits, sustainably sourced bamboo combined swizzles and stirrers and new compostable cups rolled out on all international flights.
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