Chicago has all but been confirmed as Qantas’ fifth hub in the United States as part of its broader Joint Business Agreement with American Airlines. Paperwork submitted with the US Department of Transportation details the extend of a new codeshare alliance between Qantas and American, should the parties be given a green light for their proposed revenue-sharing agreement.

Qantas has opened the first phase of the new Melbourne Business Domestic Lounge as part of a major upgrade project that will include a new design, additional seating and new dining options. The Melbourne Qantas Club and Domestic Business Lounge are being redeveloped over a 12-month period, with the lounges completed in stages to allow ongoing access during the build. The first phase of the new Qantas Club opened in May.

Qantas has today announced an extension of its global lounge improvement program. The multi-million-dollar program will see the national carrier upgrade six lounges in Auckland, Brisbane, Hobart, Sydney, Tamworth and Tokyo.

The Australian carrier will operate the carbon-composite Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on select Qantas flights ex Brisbane (from 19 December), Melbourne (between 13 December and 29 March) and Sydney (from 30 March) in 2019.

Sydney Airport has this week commenced trials of new “groundbreaking biometrics technology” it has dubbed ‘couch-to-gate’ as the next phase of a seamless airport experience.

Specifically, the US transportation watchdog said it needed: specific levels of service that the proposed joint business would provide; the extent to which antitrust immunity is necessary to achieve these benefits; discussion of codeshare plans; clarification on revenue share methodology and potential enhancements in yield management practices under a potential immunised joint venture; further explanation of expected consumer benefits; and financial performance data for existing flights. 

“We are particularly concerned this arrangement will further strengthen Qantas’ dominant position in the Australian market to the detriment of both Virgin Australia and the Australian travelling public,” Australian Airports Association ceo Caroline Wilkie.

“The UK must remain one of the world’s best-connected and outward-looking countries and a third runway at Heathrow is the best option to deliver this,” said the UK’s Transport Secretary Chris Grayling.

oneworld connect is the first new membership platform unveiled by oneworld since the alliance was originally announced 20 years ago.

“We expect many of our members will jump at the opportunity to use a combination of traditional payment along with Qantas Points to upgrade their room from perhaps a pool-view to a beachfront view, or even extend the length of their holiday,” Hutchison said.

“The return of this popular codeshare delivers on our strategy of partnering to provide customers with access to an expanded network and more seamless travel experiences wherever they want to fly,” said Alison Webster, CEO of Qantas International.