Qantas customers are getting an upgrade to their travel experience as the national carrier prepares for one of its busiest festive seasons on record, with millions of customers set to travel over the holidays.
Just in time for Christmas, Qantas has unveiled its festive fleet including QantasLink Q400 ‘Dasher-8’ and Boeing 737 ‘Roo-dolph’ decked out in Christmas livery. Customers travelling on these aircraft throughout December will earn double points as part of a number of surprise and delight initiatives by the airline. A Qantas Freight A321 aircraft decorated with ‘Santa’s Freight’ livery is also set to transport thousands of presents and festive fare across the country in the coming weeks.
Also rolling out in time for the festive season are a number of customer experience enhancements including new seasonal international first and business inflight menus, a new First lounge menu and a refreshed beer offering across the network.
Qantas Group Chief Customer and Digital Officer Catriona Larritt said “We know our customers, especially the youngest ones, love flying on our special festive aircraft and so we are delighted they are making a return in 2024.
“Our teams have been working hard over several months to prepare our operations to be ready to help millions of customers to see their family and friends throughout the holiday season.”
New seasonal inflight and lounge menus designed by Qantas’ Creative Director of Food, Beverage and Service Neil Perry will be dishing up premium Australian producers including Margra Lamb, Glacier 51 Toothfish, Wollemi Duck, Coppertree Farms Butter and Skull Island King Prawns.
In a major overhaul to the Flying Kangaroo’s beer range several Qantas lounges have been stocked with James Squire ginger beer and a new local independent beer range 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 Stone and Wood and Cooper’s Pale Ale are being served inflight in addition to the lounge.
The Qantas inflight cocktail program is also expanding with an onboard Bloody Mary mixture developed exclusively for the airline and the new Qantas Aviation Spritz created by Curatif using Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin and Regal Rogue Daring Dry. A take on the classic cocktail, the Qantas Aviation Spritz will be served across international economy and premium economy cabins.
In the days leading up to Christmas, traditional festive fare with all the trimmings will be served across selected domestic and international lounges including a Qantas signature Christmas cocktail. This activity falls part of a number of enhancements to the customer experience over the holiday season, including airport activations and surprise and delight gifting for customers which will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Key highlights
Inflight menu
First
- Australian tasting plate of saltbush crusted goats cheese, lamb prosciutto, dukkah olives, piccalilli and bush tomato relish served with pepperleaf and parmesan lavosh
- Seared Glacier 51 toothfish with sugar snaps, snow peas and lemon served with Cobram Estate Hojiblanca extra virgin olive oil
- Coratina extra virgin olive oil pannacotta with toasted almond praline
Business
- 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 highlights and Christmas food and beverage
First Lounge
- Breakfast salad of quinoa, roast tomatoes with avocado, poached egg and 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 featuring vodka, cherry brandy, and a bespoke strawberry Christmas Syrup, finished with crystallized ginger and fresh mint
- Festive treats such as roast turkey rolls, fruit mince pies, Christmas gingerbread and Christmas ice-creams
