American Airlines will introduce the only direct service between Christchurch, New Zealand and Los Angeles International Airport, along with nonstop services from Auckland to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, as a direct result of its recently approved joint business agreement with Qantas.

Joint business partners, American Airlines and Qantas, have revealed the next phase of growth in their transPacific alliance, announcing improved frequent flyer benefits and new codeshare routes. The latest developments come after the Trump Administration approved antitrust immunity between the carriers in July.

Qantas has introduced its first of 12 upgraded Airbus A380 aircraft under a multi-million-dollar retrofit. The product enhancement includes new seating in expanded Business and Premium Economy cabins and a refresh for the superjumbos First and Economy cabins.

New airline satisfaction data from Roy Morgan shows Qantas is the winner of both the Domestic Airline and Domestic Business Airline of the Month Award for August 2019, with a customer satisfaction rating of 86% across both categories.

Premium passengers flying with Qantas internationally are now permitted to bring one carry-on bag weighing up to 10kgs onboard under changes introduced by the Australian airline this week. The move aims to give First, Business and Premium Economy class traveller greater flexibility in how they use their allowance.

Qantas is set to test the viability of proposed ultra-long-haul flights (approximately 19 hours) between Sydney and London and New York on passenger and crew health and wellbeing before the year’s end.

Qantas Frequent Flyer has formed a new partnership with TerryWhite Chemmart, enabling customers to earn Qantas Points under the pharmacist’s own loyalty scheme, REWARDS.

Qantas will launch flagged new non-stop services from Brisbane to San Francisco and from Brisbane to Chicago on 9 February and 20 April respectively. The announcement follows final approval for Qantas’ joint business arrangement with American Airlines which was approved by the US Department of Transportation last week.

The US Government has rubber stamped the proposed joint business agreement between Qantas and American Airlines, paving the way for the start of the flagged new non-stop flight routes across the Pacific between Brisbane and both Chicago and San Francisco. The decision follows draft approval from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) last month.

As Qantas prepares for the retirement of its stalwart Boeing 747 aircraft from its fleet, the Australian carrier has outlined a series of domestic services that guests will be able to book as part of the jumbo’s swansong.

Qantas Frequent Flyers will soon pay significantly less fees for international reward flights, have access to more seats and enjoy more rewards for earning points on the ground as part of the biggest overhaul to the airline’s loyalty program in its 32 year history.

New York’s JetBlue Airways has urged the Trump Administration to make conditions to the future granting of antitrust immunity (ATI) between airlines “more robust”, as the carrier expressed concerns for the tentatively approved joint venture of Qantas and American Airlines.