Qantas to bring back Melbourne to Hong Kong route after three year hiatus

Qantas has revived its direct Melbourne to Hong Kong route after the popular circuit was shelved three years ago. 

The airline’s popular QF29 service will leave three times a week and will increase the trips to four in mid-July before taking off every day from October. 

It comes after Qantas launched its direct Sydney to New York flights last week that will fly via Auckland and bypass busy Los Angeles Airport. 

CEO Cameron Wallace said the return of the Melbourne to Hong Kong flights comes at a perfect time for Victorians to take a break from the cold weather. 

‘We are continuing to expand our international network out of Victoria to support customer demand and this launch comes just in time for the Winter holiday period,’ Mr Wallace said.

Mr Wallace said the airline is ‘continuing to expand our international network out of Victoria’ (pictured, Hong Kong)

‘As well as providing a convenient service to Victorian-based business travellers and holiday makers, the flights will also help entice more tourists to Victoria to experience some of Australia’s best wine regions and Melbourne’s popular dining culture.’

The move comes as the airline works to restore international capacity with extra flights, more aircraft and new routes in line with stronger travel demand.

The airline relaunched its Sydney to New York flights last week after their own three year hiatus – but this new route will go via Auckland instead of Los Angeles. 

Outgoing CEO Alan Joyce told the media at the time the new itinerary will provide better connections. 

‘Los Angeles had a lot of issues with connectivity — you had to pick up your bag, go through customs and immigration and had to check in again for the Qantas flight that went to NY,’ he said. 

It comes after Qantas launched its direct Sydney to New York flights last week that will fly via Auckland and bypass the busy Los Angeles Airport (pictured, Time Square in New. York)

The new stopover in Auckland will give Aussies an uninterrupted 16 hours and 15 minute flight to New York.

Direct services to Los Angeles will continue to fly out of Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. 

Meanwhile, Qantas is expected to meet 100 per cent of its international network pre-COVID capacity by March 2024. 

This is up from around 85 per cent of pre-COVID levels today – which is a large increase from just 45 per cent 12 months ago.