Qantas Elevates Long-Haul Travel With New Direct Routes From Australia To India, Offering Nonstop Connectivity Between Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, And Key Indian Cities, Bengaluru And Delhi

Published on November 30, 2025

Recently, Qantas has announced that it will be starting its first non stop long haul flights between Australia and India. This will connect Sydney, Melbourne and Perth with Bengaluru and New Delhi. Qantas has also announced their new flight will be released at the same time new long haul flights from Australia to London and New York. Qantas was the first airline to complete the trip to London and New York. This flight will improve the need to travel to the Northern Hemisphere. Indian and Australia relations has rapidly grown which increases the demand from the two countries to travel with each other. Qantas is now the only airline providing non stop flights between India and Australia.

Qantas, Australia’s flagship airline, is preparing for an extensive network expansion into India, aligning with its strategy to enhance long-haul connectivity and tap into the growing demand for travel between Australia and India. The airline is set to introduce new nonstop routes to key Indian cities, leveraging its fleet upgrades and the deployment of next-generation aircraft.

The airline’s decision to boost its India operations reflects the rapid growth of the Indian travel market and Qantas’ commitment to meeting the increasing demand for direct flights between Australia and India. Currently, the carrier operates two direct services from Sydney and Melbourne to India, but with the completion of its fleet changes, even more routes are expected to be added in the coming years, solidifying the airline’s presence in this dynamic market.

Fleet Upgrades for Long-Haul Efficiency

To facilitate this expansion, Qantas is undertaking a strategic restructuring of its long-haul fleet. The introduction of the Airbus A350-1000 and Airbus A321XLR aircraft will complement the existing Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet, providing the necessary range and efficiency for nonstop services between Australia and India. As part of its fleet modernization, Qantas will retire older Airbus A330 models and redeploy Boeing 787 aircraft, which are expected to play a crucial role in the expanded network.

Qantas has long recognized the importance of efficient aircraft for long-duration flights, and the latest upgrades will help the airline achieve a higher level of operational efficiency. The addition of Airbus A350-1000s, along with the continued use of Boeing 787s, will significantly improve the airline’s ability to offer nonstop services to more cities in India, including key hubs like Bengaluru (BLR) and Delhi (DEL).

New Routes and City Pairings

As part of its network growth, Qantas is focusing on connecting more Australian cities to India, including new routes from Perth, Sydney, and Melbourne. Currently, the airline operates nonstop flights from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) to Bengaluru (BLR) and from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), using Airbus A330 aircraft.

Future routes are expected to focus on expanding these connections with the introduction of additional nonstop services from Perth International Airport (PER), which will serve as a major hub in the airline’s growing India network. The planned redeployment of the Airbus A321XLR will enable direct flights between Perth and several Indian cities, enhancing accessibility for travelers seeking efficient connections between Australia and India.

The new routes are designed to meet the needs of both leisure and business travelers. With the introduction of long-range aircraft, Qantas will offer more frequent and flexible flight options, strengthening its position as a top carrier for both premium and price-sensitive passengers.

Perth’s Strategic Role

Perth is poised to become a critical gateway for Qantas’ India operations, with new services expected to significantly boost the airline’s capacity on the Australia-India corridor. Perth International Airport is already a key hub for Qantas, and the airline’s strategic growth at this airport will help cater to the increasing demand for direct services to India. With the advent of the Airbus A321XLR, which provides the necessary range for non-stop services, Perth will serve as a vital node for Qantas’ India expansion.

The airline is also expanding its services at Perth Airport as part of a larger infrastructure development project. The Perth Airport Central precinct, valued at more than AUD 5 billion, will consolidate domestic and international operations into one terminal system, improving efficiency and transit times for passengers traveling on the airline’s new India routes.

Jetstar’s Complementary Role in the Expansion

As part of the broader Qantas Group strategy, low-cost carrier Jetstar will also play an essential role in expanding the airline’s reach into India. Jetstar is retrofitting its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet to increase its range to up to 16 hours, positioning the airline to operate direct services between Australian cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth and India, as well as other key destinations in Sri Lanka.

This expansion will enable Jetstar to cater to a different segment of the market, focusing on price-sensitive travelers who seek affordable options for direct flights to India. Jetstar already operates services to various Asian destinations, and the new routes to India will complement its existing network, providing a dual-brand approach alongside Qantas’ premium services.

Competition and Market Growth

Qantas’ expansion into India will place it in direct competition with several major international carriers, including Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Malaysia Airlines, all of which currently dominate the Australia-India corridor with indirect flights. Additionally, Air India, which has a strong presence on the route, and SriLankan Airlines, which connects Colombo to Sydney and Melbourne, will also be key competitors.

Despite the competitive landscape, Qantas has a distinct advantage with its extensive flight network, premium services, and the strength of its frequent flyer program, which will appeal to both corporate and leisure travelers. The airline’s partnership with IndiGo, India’s largest low-cost carrier, further enhances its connectivity within India, allowing Qantas passengers to earn frequent flyer points on domestic flights across India.

Outlook for the Australia-India Travel Market

India is one of the fastest-growing travel markets for Australian airlines, driven by increasing business ties, growing tourism demand, and expanding bilateral relations between the two countries. The Australian government’s focus on expanding direct flight links to India and improving visa accessibility will further enhance travel opportunities in both directions. As the demand for air travel between the two countries continues to rise, Qantas’ expansion into India will help meet the growing need for efficient, nonstop connectivity.

Qantas is enhancing long-haul travel by launching new nonstop routes from Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth to Bengaluru and Delhi, responding to the growing demand for direct connections between Australia and India. This expansion offers greater convenience for both business and leisure travelers.

In conclusion, Qantas’ ambitious plans to expand its network to India with new nonstop routes and upgraded aircraft are a strategic move to capture a larger share of the growing market. By offering more direct connections from Australian cities to key Indian hubs, Qantas is positioning itself as the preferred carrier for both premium and budget-conscious travelers. With significant investments in fleet upgrades and infrastructure development, Qantas is set to strengthen its position as a leading airline on the Australia-India route.