Flying kangaroo reconnecting Victoria with the world

Qantas international flights from Melbourne take off again today for the first time in 20 months after the pandemic grounded international travel.

The national carrier will recommence scheduled international flights from Melbourne today with flight QF35 bound for Singapore departing at 11.50am.

Qantas has also announced it will launch a brand-new international route from Melbourne to Delhi from 22 December 2021, connecting Victoria to the Indian capital on a Qantas-operated flight for the first time in the airline’s history.

The new Melbourne-Delhi flight will operate four times a week, year-round. Same day connections will also be available from Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra. Flights from Melbourne to Delhi will initially operate via Adelaide, while flights from Delhi to Melbourne will operate nonstop.

This follows the recent announcement of flights from Sydney to Delhi, which start next month. When this route went on sale, Qantas saw the fastest booking surge for flights leaving Australia since the airline announced its international restart plans in August.

Qantas will also relaunch flights from Melbourne-London on 27 November 2021 and Melbourne-Los Angeles from 19 December 2021.

While the international travel experience will largely be the same as pre-COVID, some things will look and feel a little different, particularly in the short-term.

Qantas has rolled out a range of new initiatives including a customised digital travel guide designed to help passengers navigate travel requirements before they leave home.

The launch of international flights coincides with the opening of the Qantas First Lounge at Melbourne International Airport.

While normally reserved for Platinum Frequent Flyers, Qantas will extend an invitation to customers travelling in Business, Gold Frequent Flyers and Qantas Club members to visit the First Lounge until the neighbouring Business Lounge reopens.

Customers will be offered a hybrid dining experience designed by Neil Perry featuring some of the most popular menu items from both the First and Business lounges, such as salt and pepper squid with green chilli dipping sauce, Neil’s pork and veal lasagna and the signature pavlova, as well as fine wines and barista coffee.

For a limited time, the menu will also feature chicken satays and vegetable samosas to celebrate the restart of Singapore flights and the new Melbourne-Delhi flights.

Qantas has reopened nearly all of its 35 Domestic Qantas Club and Business lounges across Australia.

It will open the remainder of its international lounges in Australia and overseas in line with the broader reopening of international borders and recommencement of the rest of Qantas’ international network. 

The International Business Lounge in Singapore is on track to open early December. In the interim, eligible guests can use the SATS Lounge in Singapore.

For full details relating to travel requirements, visit our  COVID-19 travel information page, and the international travel requirements on qantas.com.

Initial international flights are limited to Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate families and parents in line with Federal Government requirements. It’s expected this will be extended to other travellers in the coming months.

International flights are subject to Government and Regulatory approval.