American Airlines and Qantas have tentatively had their transpacific joint venture approved. It is expected that there will initially be three new routes on offer, with promises of more.
This is the second time the two carriers have applied for anti-trust immunity and this time they got it over the line. Barring any objections, approval should come through shortly.
Promises Of New Routes
Qantas have already announced in their press release two new routes they will be opening. Services from Brisbane to Chicago and Brisbane to Dallas Fort/Worth are going to start after approval comes through in a couple of weeks.
It is also expected that American Airlines will increase services to Australia. As both airlines will be in a joint venture, they will each sell seats on each others flights as though they are a single carrier.
New Zealand is also included, with the American Airlines services between Auckland and Los Angeles coming under the agreement. Qantas ceased serving this route in 2012, so it will be advantageous for the two to cooperate to compete with Air New Zealand and United.
Overall Thoughts
The approval states that three new routes will be started. Since Qantas have given promises of two of these, it can be assumed American Airlines have responsibility for the other one. Any guesses as to what that might be?
Before anyone cries foul, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Australia already have a joint venture across the Pacific. Also, United and Air New Zealand have one. This partnership between Qantas and American is actually the third cab off the rank in this region of the world.
What do you think of this new joint venture between these oneworld carriers? Good for consumers as per the document linked in the first line of this article? Or not? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
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Featured image by Max Faulkner, Star Telegram via LATTE.
Qantas Boeing 787 by Mertie via Wikimedia Commons.
The first additional AA route will almost certainly be LAX-MEL, taking over one of the QF frequencies.
Yes, I think you’re right there – that is what I would expect also. Thanks for the comment!
So, if they treat it as one airline, would Exec Platinum System Wide upgrades work on Qantas metal? That would be great!
No.swu only work on as metal on AA coded flights. No different than the JV with BA or IB.
Thanks for that – I was curious about it myself. Makes sense!