Travel updates

Check this page for issues which may affect your flight or booking with us.

We'll do all we can to keep you informed of developments and the choices available. See real-time flight status or the media room for the latest information.

Before booking and before you travel, ensure you check the latest airline and government travel requirements, which may include mandatory health declarations, vaccinations, pre-departure COVID-19 tests, use of face masks, entry permits, pre-approval and quarantine (possibly at your own expense), or you could be denied entry.

Last updated: 28 November 2021

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Updated travel restrictions: COVID-19 variant of concern (Omicron)

Many countries, including Australia, are taking precautionary steps in relation to international travel until the risks of the new Omicron variant can be determined.

This is an evolving situation. Travel rules and restrictions are changing at short notice, so it’s important you stay informed before you travel and check government websites for the latest information and advice. We also recommend you check your contact details are up to date in your booking and on any government travel declarations so that health authorities can follow up with you quickly if necessary.

If you need to change your travel plans, see more information on booking changes and other options.

Travelling to Australia

If you have been in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, Malawi, and the Seychelles in the prior 14 days:

  • Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members entering Australia must enter supervised hotel quarantine (at your own cost) for 14 days, irrespective of vaccination status. You should refer to the state or territory you're travelling to for information on managed quarantine.
  • Any other travellers who have been in a country of risk in the last 14 days are not permitted to enter Australia. This includes travellers with a travel exemption or seeking to enter under a Safe Travel Zone arrangement.

From 28 November 2021, all passengers arriving into New South Wales, Victoria or the Australian Capital Territory on an international flight from any other country must:

  • Self-isolate at their place of residence or accommodation for at least 72 hours, pending further health advice.
  • Complete a COVID-19 PCR test within 24 hours of arrival, and
  • Take a second COVID-19 test between the fifth and seventh day of arrival, as required by the state you are travelling to

See more information from the Australian Government and State and Territory governments.

Travel to the United States

Effective from 12:01am (US East Coast time) on November 29, non-US citizens who have been in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Nambia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi in the prior 14 days will be banned from travel to the United States. US citizens returning from these countries will need to present a negative COVID test within 24 hours of departure to the United States.

See more information on the United States Government website.

Travel to the United Kingdom

Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia have been added to the UK red list. Only British or Irish nationals or those with resident rights in the UK will be permitted to enter.

For passengers who have visited any of these countries in the 10 days prior to arrival, you must:

  • Take a COVID-19 test in the 3 days before you travel
  • Quarantine in a managed hotel for 10 days, and take two COVID-19 tests after arrival. You must book and pay for your quarantine package before you arrive in the UK.
  • Complete a passenger locator form.

See more information on the United Kingdom Government website.

Travel to other countries

Please check the government website for the country you’re travelling to or transiting through for the latest advisories and restrictions.

COVID-19 travel information

While flying might look a little different, particularly in the short term, we'll be helping you get travel ready through each part of your journey. Start planning your next trip with our COVID-19 travel information. 

If there are any changes to your flight as a result of border changes, we'll be in contact. We're also offering flexible options to customers affected by travel restrictions. Find out more information on options for changing your flights.

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International travel

While many aspects of international travel will be the same as they were pre-COVID, some things will look a little different, particularly in the short-term.

Before booking and before you travel, ensure you check the latest airline and government travel requirements, which may include mandatory health declarations, vaccinations, pre-departure COVID-19 tests, use of face masks, entry permits, pre-approval and quarantine (possibly at your own expense), or you could be denied entry.

For more information on COVID-19 travel information, see international travel requirements.

For more information on where we're flying, see our international flight network.

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Travelling within Australia

Some Australian states and territories have implemented measures, including additional health and safety protocols, in response to Coronavirus that may impact your travel.

Before booking and before you travel, ensure you check the latest government travel requirements, which may include mandatory health declarations, vaccinations, use of face masks, entry permits, pre-approval and quarantine (possibly at your own expense), or you could be denied entry.

Check the latest Australian State Government travel restrictions and requirements.

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Travel to Lord Howe Island

Lord Howe Island is home to many unique and endemic species, some of which are found nowhere else in the world.

To ensure this unique ecosystem remains protected, if you're travelling to Lord Howe Island, you're required to complete a biosecurity pre-departure form, and remove or declare any animal or plant matter.

For further information about Lord Howe Island, including COVID-19 requirements, visit the Lord Howe Island Board website.

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Travel to Canada

Visit the Canadian Government's website for more information on travel requirements, including entry eligibility (which may include renewing your passport or applying for a visa or eTA), vaccintion information, COVID-19 testing, wearing of face masks and quarantining on arrival, plus information if you're travelling onward from Vancouver.

This information is subject to change and we recommend you check the website regularly for any updates.

Travel measures by the Government of Canada related to COVID-19

Although the final determination as to whether or not you can enter Canada will be made by a government representative at the port of entry, all travellers are encouraged to first consult the Travel Wizard to determine and confirm if they are eligible to travel to Canada.

Requirements to travel to Canada

To board a flight to Canada, all travellers, even if fully vaccinated, must

  • Present one of the following COVID-19 molecular test results (if you are 5 years old or older):
    - a test result that is negative, that was administered within 72 hours of the traveller's scheduled departure time to Canada (must be 72 hours from the scheduled direct flight to Canada); or
    - a test result that is positive, that was administered at least 14 days but no more than 180 days from the traveller's scheduled departure time to Canada.
  • Use the ArriveCAN app or website to submit the following information their travel information, contact information, 14 day travel history prior to arrival in Canada, vaccination information, suitable quarantine plan, and a symptom self-assessment.
    - Travellers can download the ArriveCAN app for free on Google Play and Apple app store or provide their information by signing in online. Ensure you have the most recent version of the app downloaded.

At the airport, all travellers must:

  • Be symptom-free to board the plane. If you are exhibiting obvious symptoms you will be denied boarding.
  • Have a face mask and wear it throughout your travel journey, including while in flight, even if you are fully vaccinated. You will need comply with any instructions provided to you by the crew or airport personnel.

Upon arrival in Canada, all travellers must:

  • Have all their travel documents in hand and ready to present to Government of Canada officials. This includes their paper copy proof of vaccination (if applicable) and ArriveCAN receipt (unless exempt), indicating they have provided all the necessary information, and any other entry documents you may require (if applicable).
  • Undergo an on-arrival test either at the airport or via a take-home kit (vaccinated travellers may be subject to mandatory randomized on-arrival testing). Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers are encouraged to pre-register for arrival testing where possible using the following links based on their arrival location in Canada:
    Vancouver (YVR)
    Calgary (YYC)
    Toronto-Pearson (YYZ) 
    Montreal-Trudeau (YUL)
  • Quarantine (if applicable). Note: all fully vaccinated travellers that are eligible to enter Canada are no longer required to quarantine. However, partially vaccinated or unvaccinated travelers are still required to go immediately to their place of quarantine and quarantine for 14 days, as well as complete a day-8 arrival test. At any point if any traveller (fully vaccinated or not) receives a positive test result from their arrival test, they must immediately isolate for a period of 10 days.
    Note: there is no longer a requirement for any traveller, regardless of vaccination status, to make a booking at a government approved accommodation (hotel) to begin quarantine. The government approved accommodations have been discontinued.
  • Be aware that they may be subject to additional measures identified by the provincial, territorial or local health authorities. It is up to the traveller to be aware of any additional measures at their destination and be ready to comply as required.
    Note: Further information can also be found at COVID-19: Entering Canada requirements checklist – Travel restrictions in Canada.

Additional information:

  • Definition of fully vaccinated: to be considered fully vaccinated, a traveller must have received the full series of a vaccine or combination of vaccines accepted by the Government of Canada at least 14 days prior to entering Canada. Currently, those vaccines are manufactured by Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson). Travellers can receive their vaccine in any country, and must provide documentation supporting their vaccination in English, French or with a certified translation. For more information on coming to Canada as a fully vaccinated traveller, visit: COVID-19 vaccinated travellers entering Canada - Travel restrictions in Canada.
    Fully vaccinated travellers must also be symptom free, have a paper or digital copy of their vaccination documentation, and provide COVID-19-related information electronically through ArriveCAN prior to arrival in Canada. They must still present a suitable quarantine plan, and be prepared to quarantine, in case it is determined at the border that they do not meet all of the conditions required to be exempt from quarantine and other post-arrival requirements. As with all other exempt travellers, they will be required to follow public health measures in place, such as wearing a mask when in public, keep a copy of their vaccine and test results, as well as a list of close contacts for 14 days after entry to Canada.
  • Travelling with unvaccinated children: unvaccinated dependent children under the age of 12 who enter Canada with their fully vaccinated parents or guardians will no longer have to complete a 14 day quarantine, but must follow strict public health measures. This includes those travelling for discretionary purposes. This means they can move around with their parents, but must avoid group settings (such as camps or daycares) and/or avoid contact with vulnerable people during the first 14 days after their arrival. Unvaccinated children under 12 years old will be subject to an alternative testing protocol; more details will be provided by public health officials upon arrival. Provinces and territories may have more stringent rules around people who have recently returned from travel.
  • Unvaccinated children aged 12 and 17 and unvaccinated dependent adults (i.e. with a mental or physical disability) travelling with a fully vaccinated parent/guardian will remain subject to the 14 day quarantine, as well as be subject to the Day 1 and Day 8 testing requirements, unless otherwise exempt. Provinces and territories may have more stringent rules around people who have recently returned from travel. Continue to check https://travel.gc.ca/ for more updates.
  • Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers: for travellers who are not fully vaccinated, the only change is that there is no longer a requirement to stay at a government approved accommodation. Aside from this eliminated requirement, there are no changes to Canada's current border measures. They must continue to adhere to the current testing and federal quarantine requirements, which have been effective in reducing importation and transmission of COVID-19 and variants in Canada, and provide COVID-19-related information electronically through ArriveCAN before arriving in Canada.

Find more information on any of Canada’s currently travel restrictions.

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Travel to East Timor

You must have approval to enter Timor-Leste. Email the Consulate-General of Timor-Leste in Darwin or visit their Facebook page for more information. Ensure you bring either a paper or digital copy of the approval with you to show at the airport on departure.

Before you're accepted for travel to Dili, you'll be required to undergo a COVID-19 PCR test.

  • Your COVID-19 PCR test must be completed within five days of departure.
  • You must have a negative result.
  • You must carry a copy of your test results, either a paper copy or a digital copy (text message or email), as you may be asked to provide proof of your negative test result on departure and on arrival in Dili.

Ensure you check any entry requirements, which may include renewing your passport or applying for a visa.

Read more on the Australian Government's Smartraveller website.

This information is subject to change and we recommend you check the website regularly for any updates.

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Travel to Germany

Visit the Germany Federal Foreign Office and Ministry of Health websites for information on travel requirements, including digital registration, quarantine and entry restrictions (which may include renewing your passport or applying for a visa).

This information is subject to change and we recommend you check the websites regularly for any updates.

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Travel to Johannesburg

Visit the South African Government website for information on entry requirements (which may include renewing your passport or applying for a visa) for travel to Johannesburg.

This information is subject to change and we recommend you check the website regularly for any updates.

Requirements include:

  • You’re required to undergo a COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of departure. The test must be from an accredited laboratory under the Australian Department of Health and the certificate must be to international standards with the date and time of test, the date and time of the result, and the test results clearly evidenced. Refer to the South African Government website for more information, or consult your medical practitioner.
  • On arrival into Johannesburg, you'll be screened for any COVID-19 symptoms or for contact with people who have been infected with the COVID-19 virus. If you display any COVID-19–related symptoms or have been in contact with an infected person(s), you're required to undergo a COVID-19 test at your own expense. 
  • If you don't have a negative COVID-19 test issued within 72 hours of departure, or if you test positive for COVID-19 on arrival, you'll be required to quarantine on arrival, at sites identified by the South African Department of Health and at your own expense.
  • If you test positive for COVID-19 on arrival, you'll be required to quarantine on arrival for 10 days, at sites identified by the South African Department of Health and at your own expense.
  • You must also carry proof of your accommodation and address while in South Africa in case you're required to self isolate.
  • Before departure from Australia, install the COVID Alert South Africa mobile app.
  • Complete the Republic of South Africa Government Traveller Health Questionnaire [PDF] and bring it with you to present on arrival in Johannesburg.
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Travel to Papua New Guinea

The Australian Government has tightened restrictions for travel to Papua New Guinea in response to the serious health risk to the Australian public as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak in Papua New Guinea.

Outbound travel exemptions for Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents will only be approved by the ABF Commissioner in extremely limited circumstances, eg for critical workers providing assistance to Papua New Guinea's COVID-19 response and people undertaking critical safety roles.

If you're seeking to travel to Papua New Guinea in these limited circumstances, you must ensure that you have a valid exemption for departure. You may be required to complete a new travel exemption request online.

This information is subject to change and we recommend you check the website regularly for any updates.

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Travel to Samoa

Refer to the Government of Samoa and Ministry of Health website for the latest entry requirements for Samoa, which may include renewing your passport or applying for a visa.

These requirements are subject to change and we recommend you check these sites frequently for any updates.

Requirements include:

  • you can only travel to Samoa if you haven’t been in New South Wales or Victoria within the last 28 days,
  • emailing the Samoa Health Authorities at least 21 days before travel for updated travel advice,
  • being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 2 weeks before your flight,
  • having a COVID-19 Blood Serology Antibody test within 7 days of departure (note: rapid serology tests for IgM and IgG aren’t accepted), 
  • completing a medical clearance within 120 hours of departure,
  • having a COVID-19 RT-PCR test within 72 hours of your departure with a negative result, and
  • quarantining on arrival in Apia.

You'll need to present a paper copy of your COVID-19 test result, Blood Serology Antibody test, vaccination certificate and signed medical clearance on departure and on arrival in Samoa.

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Travel to Taiwan

All international arrival and transit passengers, regardless of nationality or visa status, will need to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR-test result issued within three business days before boarding their flight to Taiwan. 

For more information check the latest travel alerts when travelling from Australia. This information is subject to change and we recommend you check the website regularly for any updates.

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Travel to Tonga

  • Only Tongan citizens, permanent residents and international travellers as approved by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can travel to Tonga, and you must register your interest on the Government of Tonga Repatriation Registry. Ensure you bring either a paper or digital copy of the approval with you to show at the airport on departure.
  • To travel on a flight from Australia to Tonga, you mustn't have visited a state with any confirmed COVID-19 cases in the 14 days before your flight, and not have been in an area designated as a COVID-19 hotspot. Connections from other countries are not permitted.
  • You must complete a Traveler’s Arrival Health Declaration Card and provide it to the Ministry of Health Border Control Team upon request.
  • On arrival in Tonga, you’ll be required to quarantine for 21 days.

Before you're accepted for travel, you’ll be required to undergo a COVID-19 PCR test.

  • Your COVID-19 PCR test must be completed within 72 hours of departure.
  • You must have a negative result.
  • You must carry a copy of your test results, either a paper copy or a digital copy (email or pdf), as you may be asked to provide proof of your negative test result on departure and on arrival in Nukuʻalofa.

For more information, visit the

This information is subject to change and we recommend you check the websites regularly for any updates.

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Brexit transition

Travel requirements to the European Union and other European nations will change from 1 January 2021. To prepare for your travel to Europe, visit the official UK government site Brexit Transition.  

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Solomon Islands measles vaccination travel advisory

Following outbreaks of measles in the region, the Solomon Islands Government has issued a Travel Advisory, requiring visitors from countries including Australia, and Solomon Islands residents travelling to Australia and other destinations, to show proof of vaccination.

To enter the Solomon Islands, you'll need to show proof you have been vaccinated against measles at least 15 days before your arrival. Bring your official vaccination record with you in your carry-on bag. Travellers without evidence of vaccination may need to undergo a medical examination.

Read more on the Australian Government's Smartraveller website.

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