In an exclusive conversation with Scott Zeglin, Head of Commercial Strategy and Performance for Qantas, at Routes Asia, the airline shared insights into its global expansion, fleet renewal, and the much-anticipated Project Sunrise, which promises to redefine long-haul travel. From the commercial success of Perth-Europe flights to the growing demand for premium cabins on transpacific routes, Qantas is positioning itself for a new and very exciting era of aviation. This isn’t just recovery—it’s next-gen aviation in motion.

✈️ Global Route Expansion & Success Stories

Zeglin confirmed that the Perth to London route has been a commercial triumph since its launch, with strong load factors making it one of the airline’s flagship services. The success of the newly introduced Perth to Paris route indicates a growing appetite for non-stop travel between Australia and Europe, and Qantas is eager to expand further.

Currently, Qantas' Boeing 787s are operating at their limits, particularly when navigating airspace closures that force longer flight paths. This has occasionally resulted in fuel stops for the Perth–London route in Singapore due to safety margin constraints. That aside the route and aircraft has been nothing but a success and demand continues to rise for the service.

Another key focus area is the South Pacific, where the Qantas Group ( referring to Qantas and Jestar) has expanded capacity to 400% of pre-COVID levels. This is in part due to new routes such as Brisbane–Palau and Vanuatu, rather than just increased capacity on existing routes. This increase is helping drive traffic in and out of the region, particularly for passengers connecting to non-stop European flights and future Project Sunrise services.

Japan remains one of Qantas’ most popular destinations (alongside New Zealand, Singapore, and the USA), with both Qantas and Jetstar operating flights to different destinations to appeal to a wider audience. Flights to Hokkaido are seeing bookings up to nine months in advance, highlighting the continued interest in Japan as a key destination.

As is likely obvious, Jetstar, Qantas’ low-cost subsidiary, plays a key role in the group’s dual-brand strategy, optimizing departure times and routes to leisure destinations whilst also increasing connectivity to the long haul network. The A321LR (Long Range) aircraft has unlocked more route possibilities, particularly within Asia such as the new direct flights from Perth to Phuket and Bangkok, which largely caters to leisure travelers whilst reinforcing Perth as an international hub.

Japan remains one of Qantas’ most popular destinations (alongside New Zealand, Singapore, and the USA), with both Qantas and Jetstar operating flights to different destinations to appeal to a wider audience. Flights to Hokkaido are seeing bookings up to nine months in advance, highlighting the continued interest in Japan as a key destination.

The Qantas group recently celebrated the launch of its 35th international route and 100th route overall, demonstrating its commitment to expanding global connectivity.

🛠️ Fleet Renewal & Operational Challenges

Qantas is undergoing the largest fleet renewal in its history, acquiring additional Boeing 787s and Airbus A350-1000LRs to replace the A330 and, longer term, the A380 fleet. The A321XLR (Extra Long Range) will replace the 737-800 fleet, providing increased capacity and potentially opening up a wider range of direct domestic and short-haul international routes (e.g., Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands).

As this transition unfolds though, global supply chain disruptions have presented challenges. While new seats, engines, and aircraft are on the way, delays have forced the airline to maximize its existing resources. To bridge the gap, Qantas has taken creative steps, including wet-leasing aircraft from Finnair (which will transition into a dry lease) and investing in cabin refreshes for its aging 737-800 fleet.

Qantas emphasized that it is moving away from pre-pandemic comparisons, choosing instead to focus on year-on-year growth. However, it was revealed that the Qantas Group (Qantas + Jetstar) is already operating at 105% of its 2019 capacity, surpassing the industry average of 102%.

🌅 Project Sunrise: Redefining Long-Haul Travel

Across the Pacific, demand for premium seating remains high, and Qantas wasn’t alone in recognizing this trend at Routes Asia. This growing demand is shaping the design of Project Sunrise, which will feature 40% premium seating. With just 238 seats on the Airbus A350-1000, it will be the lowest-density version of this aircraft in the world, ensuring unmatched comfort for ultra-long-haul passengers.

Qantas remains on track to launch Project Sunrise in the Northern Hemisphere summer of 2027 (Australia’s winter), connecting Sydney and Melbourne non-stop to New York City and London—a true aviation milestone.

When asked whether these new direct flights to New York and London would cannibalize existing routes, such as Sydney–Auckland–New York or Melbourne–Singapore–London, Qantas dismissed the concern. These alternative routes provide additional economy seating, ensuring that Project Sunrise can’t—and won’t—be the sole solution for all travelers. The airline also noted that if capacity outstrips demand, these aircraft can be redeployed to other high-demand or seasonal routes.

Despite strong demand across multiple markets, Qantas acknowledged that global aircraft shortages, supply chain disruptions, and maintenance backlogs continue to limit growth potential. However, with new aircraft on the horizon, innovative scheduling, and strategic partnerships, Qantas remains committed to expanding its network, enhancing passenger experience, and solidifying its position as a leader in long-haul travel.