As the holiday season approaches, Qantas is set to deliver an upgraded travel experience for its customers, marking one of the busiest festive seasons on record. With millions of travellers set to fly, Qantas has unveiled a series of exciting initiatives to ensure a memorable journey for everyone.
Festive Fleet
In the spirit of Christmas, Qantas has introduced its festive fleet, featuring the QantasLink Q400 ‘Dasher-8’ and Boeing 737 ‘Roo-dolph’ adorned with Christmas livery. Throughout December, passengers on these aircraft will earn double points as part of various surprise and delight initiatives. Additionally, a Qantas Freight A321 aircraft, decorated with ‘Santa’s Freight’ livery, will transport thousands of presents and festive fare across the country.
Customer Experience Enhancements
Several customer experience enhancements are rolling out in time for the festive season, including new seasonal international first and business inflight menus, a refreshed First lounge menu, and an updated beer offering across the network.
Catriona Larritt, Qantas Group Chief Customer and Digital Officer, expressed her excitement: “We know our customers, especially the youngest ones, love flying on our special festive aircraft, and we are delighted they are returning in 2024. Our teams have been working hard over several months to prepare our operations to be ready to help millions of customers see their family and friends throughout the holiday season.”
Seasonal Menus and Refreshments
The new seasonal inflight and lounge menus, designed by Qantas’ Creative Director of Food, Beverage and Service Neil Perry, will feature premium Australian producers such as Margra Lamb, Glacier 51 Toothfish, Wollemi Duck, Coppertree Farms Butter, and Skull Island King Prawns.
In a major overhaul of the beer range, several Qantas lounges are now stocked with James Squire ginger beer and a variety of local independent beers, including Hawke’s lager in Sydney, Straddie Amity Pale Ale in Brisbane, Bentspoke Crankshaft IPA in Canberra, Gage Roads Single Fin Summer Ale in Perth, and Stomping Ground Big Sky Hazy in Melbourne. Customer favourites like Stone and Wood and Cooper’s Pale Ale are available inflight and in the lounge.
The Qantas inflight cocktail program is also expanding with a new onboard Bloody Mary mixture and the Qantas Aviation Spritz, created by Curatif using Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin and Regal Rogue Daring Dry. This refreshing cocktail will be served across international economy and premium economy cabins.
Festive Fare and Surprises
In the days leading up to Christmas, traditional festive fare with all the trimmings will be served in selected domestic and international lounges, accompanied by a Qantas signature Christmas cocktail. This initiative is part of a range of enhancements to the customer experience, including airport activations and surprise gifts for customers, which will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Inflight Menu Highlights
First Class:
- Australian tasting plate with saltbush-crusted goats cheese, lamb prosciutto, dukkah olives, piccalilli, and bush tomato relish
- Seared Glacier 51 toothfish with sugar snaps, snow peas, and lemon
- Coratina extra virgin olive oil pannacotta with toasted almond praline
Business Class:
- Vegetable rendang with fragrant rice, cashews, and spicy pickles
- Roast chicken thigh cutlet with charred broccolini, feta, olive, and almond dressing
- Braised Margra lamb shoulder with rosemary potatoes, honey glazed carrots, and crushed minted peas
Summer Lounge Menu and Christmas Treats
First Lounge:
- Breakfast salad with quinoa, roast tomatoes, avocado, poached egg, corn, pepita, and chili salsa
- Salad of buffalo mozzarella with heirloom tomatoes, basil, balsamic vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil
All Lounges:
- Qantas Signature Christmas Cocktail: a spritz with vodka, cherry brandy, and a bespoke strawberry Christmas syrup
- Festive treats such as roast turkey rolls, fruit mince pies, Christmas gingerbread, and Christmas ice-creams
With these enhancements, Qantas ensures that travellers will have a festive and memorable holiday journey. For more information, visit the Qantas website or contact your travel advisor.