Travel updates

Lord Howe Island has introduced new entry restrictions in response to the coronavirus. Travellers who are not Lord Howe Island residents will not be allowed to enter Lord Howe Island from 22 March 2020. If you’re no longer able to travel and wish to cancel or postpone your flight, go to Manage Booking. If your flight was booked through a travel agency or third-party website, you will need to contact them directly to change your booking.

European Union citizens and permanent residents currently in New Zealand, who wish to return to the EU, have been granted permission to transit through Australia up until 9:00am (AEDT) 22 March 2020. Qantas is working with the Australian Border Force to support customers repatriating to the European Union via Australia.

After 9:00am (AEDT) 22 March 2020, these travellers will be subject to the Australian Government’s immigration measures which allow only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members to travel to Australia. Upon arrival all travellers must self-isolate for 14 days. As a result of these travel restrictions, if you have a Qantas ticket for flights to Australia and are no longer able to travel go to Manage Booking to review your options. If your flight was booked through a travel agency or third-party website, you will need to contact them directly to make booking changes. 

The Australian Government has announced immediate immigration measures which allow only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members to travel to Australia. All travellers must self-isolate for 14 days on arrival at their final destination in Australia. As a result of these travel restrictions, if you have a Qantas ticket for flights to Australia and are no longer able to travel, go to Manage Booking to review your options. If your flight was booked through a travel agency or third-party website, you will need to contact these companies directly to make booking changes.

Thailand has introduced a new immigration requirement for all travellers to present medical documentation prior to boarding a flight to Thailand. More information on the documentation required can be found here. If this affects your travel and you wish to cancel or postpone your flight, go to Manage Booking. If your flight was booked through a travel agency or third-party website, you will need to contact them directly to change your booking.

The New Zealand government have announced additional restrictions due to Coronavrius. If you're travelling to and from New Zealand shortly, we can help with this information.

We're continuing to monitor the situation closely and review our flights based on the advice of the World Health Organisation, Centre for Disease Control and Australia’s Chief Medical Officer.  If there are any changes to your flight, you’ll be contacted directly to discuss your options. Find out which flights are affected.

We are also offering flexible options to customers affected by travel restrictions. Find out more information on options for changing your flights.

If you have booked directly through Qantas and are impacted by travel restrictions,  complete the waiver form to expedite your booking changes.

Some customers who have travelled on recent Qantas services have tested positive for Coronavirus. Medical advice says that customers sitting in the same row, or within two rows of these customers are at a higher risk of exposure. View the full list of services.

For the latest information, visit Coronavirus travel updates.

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.

From 28 December 2019, 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.

Information on the recall of a limited number of Apple Retina 15 inch MacBook Pros, sold between September 2015 and February 2017, is available on the product-safety-recall-15-inch-macbook-pro.pdf  and on Apple Support. Affected devices must be carried in cabin baggage and switched off for the duration of the flight. Devices that have had their battery replaced by either Apple or an Authorised repairer, may be carried without restriction.

For travel from 1 October 2019, the New Zealand Government requires some visitors and transit passengers to have a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA).

• Apply for your NZeTA at least 72 hours before departure through the official mobile app or website.
• Visit Immigration New Zealand to find out if you require a visa for your travel.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced changes to the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) processing timeframe for travellers to the United States.

Customers travelling to the United States must apply for an ESTA no later than 72 hours prior to flight departure. Applicants who apply less than 72 hours before travel risk not having an approved ESTA prior to departure and will be unable to travel on their scheduled booking to the USA.

Under the Visa Waiver Program, citizens of certain countries including Australia can travel to the United States for stays of 90 days or less without a visa, provided they meet eligibility requirements and obtain an ESTA prior to travel.

Previously, eligible travellers were able to obtain an ESTA any time prior to travel to the USA, however customers are advised that real-time approvals will no longer be available and they should apply as early as possible, ideally at the time of booking their trip.

ESTA applications will continue to be submitted via the official government website.