Australia's flag carrier, largest Oceania airline by fleet and reach
Qantas has unveiled modified A350-1000ULR jets for ultra-long direct routes from Sydney to London and New York, aiming to cut travel time to about 19–21 hours and boost premium cabins. Tickets will go on sale in February with flights starting in October 2027. The planes feature extra fuel tanks and a four-cabin layout to improve passenger comfort on journeys up to 22 hours.
Since late June, civil aviation has faced several safety scares: a JetBlue A321 has reported a collision with a drone near JFK and landed safely; a United and a helicopter pilot have reported near-misses with unmanned aircraft near Newark and Manhattan; Delta 1076 reported a firework strike during descent into Chicago Midway; and LOT Polish Airlines flight 155 emitted a false hijack transponder code and was escorted to Burgas before authorities blamed a transponder error.
Origin Energy has disclosed a major cyber incident affecting about 0.9–5 million customers; names, addresses and account details may have been viewed. The company warns of an increased risk of scams and urges customers to verify communications through official channels.
A cluster of recent incidents at major airports has exposed gaps in check-in, security, and boarding processes across carriers. Reports show misissued tickets, mismatched seating, and inconsistent use of identity verification technologies, prompting scrutiny of airline procedures and security partnerships.
A string of tests for Qantas’ Project Sunrise has shown ultra-long-haul air travel is moving from dream to reality. The Airbus A350-1000ULR with an extra 20,000-litre fuel tank has completed multi-leg tests, including a 24-hour non-stop flight from Melbourne to Toulouse. The program aims to offer non-stop Sydney–London and Sydney–New York services by 2027, with ongoing assessments of crew rest, fuel, and cabin systems.
WestJet flight attendants have walked off the job over pay for duties performed while the plane is on the ground. CUPE 8125 says some ground work remains unpaid, while WestJet argues credit-hour compensation covers pre- and post-flight duties. A 72-hour strike notice has expired and negotiations continue, threatening further disruption for travellers over the long weekend.
Jetstar has introduced a size-based carry-on policy, charging for overhead locker space from February 2027. Each booking includes one small item; larger bags incur fees between AUD 25 and AUD 52 depending on route. The change aims to streamline boarding and reduce delays, with mixed reactions from travellers and analysts.
Sydney’s airport has seen a string of near-collision incidents this month, prompting ATSB investigations and questions about staffing, rostering, and safety protocols as travel surges strain the system.