Thursday, July 18, 2024 Qantas has recently reentered the French market with its new nonstop flight connecting Perth Airport (PER) to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). This strategic move, after a 20-year hiatus, is set to give strong competition to established airlines like Emirates, British Airways, Lufthansa, and Aegean Airlines, which have long dominated routes between Australia and Europe. While Qantas’ new direct route from Perth to Paris offers a significant advantage in travel time and convenience, competitors like Emirates, British Airways, Lufthansa, and Aegean Airlines attract passengers through their extensive networks, superior in-flight services, loyalty programs, and promotional offers.
Each airline leverages its unique strengths to appeal to different segments of travelers, ensuring a competitive market for the Perth to Paris route. Airline Companies Flights per Week Qantas 3 Emirates 7 British Airways 5 Lufthansa 4 Aegean Airlines 2 The Qantas flight from Perth to Paris operates initially four times a week during the Olympic Games , then transitions to three flights per week from mid-August. This service, utilizing the advanced Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, spans 8,864 miles with a flight time of 17 hours and 20 minutes.
The direct nature of this route eliminates the need for stopovers, providing a significant advantage in terms of convenience and travel time. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is known for its fuel efficiency, advanced aerodynamics, and passenger comfort. The aircraft’s design includes larger windows, improved cabin pressure, and higher humidity levels, which contribute to a more pleasant flying experience.
Qantas has equipped its Dreamliner with a three-class configuration, offering economy, premium economy, and business class seats to cater to a diverse range of passengers. Qantas’ direct Perth to Paris route positions the airline competitively against other major carriers. Emirates, for instance, typically offers flights from Perth to Paris with stopovers in Dubai.
British Airways and Lufthansa operate through their hubs in London and Frankfurt, respectively. Aegean Airlines, while strong in the European market, lacks direct connectivity between Australia and Paris. The nonstop service provided by Qantas reduces overall travel time and avoids the inconveniences associated with layovers, such as additional security checks, potential delays, and the discomfort of extended waiting periods.
This convenience is likely to appeal to both business and leisure travelers who prioritize direct routes. This route not only strengthens Qantas’ position in the European market but also boosts Perth Airport’s status as a major international gateway. In May 2024, Qantas and Perth Airport reached a multi-billion-dollar agreement for new terminal and runway facilities, aiming to enhance the airport’s capacity and infrastructure.
This development positions Perth as a significant hub for international travel, potentially attracting more airlines and increasing competition. The addition of the Perth to Paris route aligns with Qantas’ broader strategy to expand its international network and improve customer satisfaction. According to Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson, there has been a notable increase in demand for direct long-haul flights , with the airline’s routes from Perth to London and Rome already achieving high customer satisfaction.
Qantas is reentering the French market with a nonstop service from Perth to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), beginning in July 2024. This route will initially operate four times per week during the Olympic Games and then reduce to three flights per week from mid-August. The service utilizes Boeing 787 Dreamliners, known for their fuel efficiency and passenger comfort.
This direct flight spans 8,864 miles and has a flight time of approximately 17 hours and 20 minutes, making it the third-longest route in Qantas’ network. This move is strategic, providing a competitive edge against established airlines like Emirates, British Airways, Lufthansa, and Aegean Airlines, which typically require stopovers. As an official partner of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Air France is expanding its routes and services to support the event.
The airline will enhance connectivity, offering extensive flight options to Paris from various global destinations. This expansion aims to facilitate the smooth transportation of athletes, officials, and spectators, ensuring that the influx of travelers is well-managed. These established carriers are also expected to introduce new routes or increase the frequency of existing ones to cater to the increased demand.
Emirates, for example, often routes flights through Dubai, while British Airways and Lufthansa operate through their hubs in London and Frankfurt, respectively. Aegean Airlines, strong in the European market, will likely enhance its connectivity to Paris, despite lacking direct routes from Australia. Emirates has a well-established route from Perth to Paris with a stopover in Dubai.
Emirates offers exceptional in-flight services, including world-class entertainment systems, gourmet meals, and luxurious seating options in all classes. The airline frequently runs promotional fares and provides seamless connectivity through its extensive network from Dubai. Additionally, Emirates’ loyalty program, Skywards, offers attractive benefits for frequent flyers, which can be a significant draw for business travelers and vacationers alike.
British Airways operates flights from Perth to Paris via London Heathrow. Known for its premium service, British Airways offers comfortable seating, a wide range of in-flight entertainment, and high-quality dining options. The airline also promotes its Avios loyalty program, which allows passengers to earn and redeem points on flights, upgrades, and other travel-related purchases.
British Airways often provides special offers and discounts for early bookings and holiday travel, enhancing its appeal to travelers looking for convenience and luxury. Lufthansa connects Perth to Paris through its hub in Frankfurt. The airline is renowned for its reliability and superior service quality.
Lufthansa offers an extensive network of destinations, modern aircraft, and a high level of passenger comfort. Their Miles & More frequent flyer program provides passengers with benefits such as lounge access, priority boarding, and additional baggage allowances. Lufthansa’s strategic partnerships and code-sharing agreements also provide passengers with more travel options and flexibility .
Aegean Airlines, while not offering a direct route from Perth to Paris, partners with other airlines to provide connections through Athens. Aegean is known for its excellent customer service, comfortable cabins, and competitive pricing. Their Miles+Bonus loyalty program offers various perks, including bonus miles, upgrades, and additional baggage allowances, which can be appealing to frequent travelers.
Aegean’s extensive European network and competitive fares make it an attractive option for budget-conscious travelers who do not mind a stopover The introduction of new routes, especially the Qantas Perth to Paris service, is expected to have significant economic benefits. For Perth Airport, this development enhances its status as a major international gateway, with a recent multi-billion-dollar agreement for new terminal and runway facilities further boosting its capacity. This positions Perth as a crucial hub for international travel, potentially attracting more airlines and fostering greater competition.
For Paris, the increased air connectivity ensures that the city is well-prepared to handle the surge in visitors for the Olympics, boosting tourism and related economic activities. This period will see enhanced travel convenience, with more direct routes reducing travel time and improving the overall experience for travelers. Qantas’ new direct flight from Perth to Paris marks a significant milestone in the airline’s expansion efforts.
By offering a convenient, nonstop service on the advanced Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, Qantas is well-positioned to challenge established carriers like Emirates, British Airways, Lufthansa, and Aegean Airlines. This move not only enhances Qantas’ market presence but also promises greater convenience and improved travel experiences for passengers, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape of international air travel between Australia and Europe..
