Kate Webster Qantas will make it easier for travellers to access the snowfields this winter with the launch of three new seasonal routes, supporting growing demand for holidays within Australia.
From 1 July to 26 September 2021, the national carrier will operate three new routes to Cooma and Albury, the gateways to the snowfields in New South Wales and Victoria:
- Sydney to Cooma – flights will operate three days per week.
- Brisbane to Cooma – flights will operate two days per week.
- Brisbane to Albury – flights will operate three days per week.
From Cooma, customers can access the popular resorts of Perisher Valley, Thredbo and Charlotte Pass in New South Wales. From Albury, customers can access Falls Creek and Hotham resorts in Victoria.
All flights will be operated by QantasLink’s turboprop Q400 aircraft, offering more than 15,000 seats on the routes through winter.
QantasLink CEO John Gissing said the new routes would make it easier for Australians to access the Snowy Mountains and the Victorian Alps this winter.
“With international border closures meaning more Australians are planning their next holiday closer to home, we are creating more travel options where there is demand,” said Mr Gissing.
“We’re expecting these flights will be popular with skiers and snowboarders who might not have been able to hit the slopes through COVID last season in Australia or overseas.”
“Our new direct flights to Cooma and Albury will mean ski enthusiasts can spend less time on the road and more time on the mountain,” added Mr Gissing.
Flights from Sydney to Cooma are timed to allow travellers to depart after work on a Thursday or Friday and return Sunday evening, which enables them to enjoy a long weekend of skiing without needing to drive. The flights from Brisbane will also offer Queenslanders the only direct airline connection to the snowfields this season.
Fares for flights between Sydney and Cooma are available from $179 one-way and flights from Brisbane to Cooma and Albury are available from $239 one-way at qantas.com or through Travel Agents. Qantas Frequent Flyers can book reward seats from Sydney to Cooma for 8,000 Qantas Points one-way and from Brisbane to Cooma and Albury for 12,000 Qantas Points one-way*.
Customers will enjoy the benefits of Qantas’ premium service, including complimentary food and drinks, baggage and lounge access before they fly out. Ski and snowboard equipment can be included as part of the checked baggage allowance.
To help offset some of the uncertainty on borders, Qantas is offering unlimited flight changes through to at least February 2022, for flights booked until at least the end of April 2021. The flight date can be changed to any available for sale at the time (up to 355 days in advance). Qantas will waive the change fee however a fare difference may apply.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Qantas has introduced a number of initiatives improve safety and peace-of-mind when travelling domestically through its Fly Well program, including masks on board, hand sanitising stations and enhanced aircraft cleaning.
* Plus taxes, fees and carrier charges.
