Melbourne’s post-COVID tourism recovery is set to accelerate with Qantas launching a new direct route from Dallas Fort Worth and significantly increasing flights from Los Angeles.

From 2 December 2022, the national carrier will operate four weekly return flights between Melbourne and major US hub, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), with its Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

These are the first direct flights by any airline between the two cities and follows the success of Qantas’ longstanding Sydney-Dallas Fort Worth route.

Dallas Fort Worth is home to Qantas’ partner American Airlines, providing seamless connections between Australia and over 200 cities across the US, Canada, Mexico and South America.

Fares are on sale from today starting from $2128.

LOS ANGELES FLIGHTS DOUBLING & A380s RETURNING

Qantas is adding another four weekly return flights between Melbourne and Los Angeles with its 787s, up from four currently, to meet strong demand on the route. The additional flights are operating from this week.

The airline’s refurbished A380s will resume operating some of these flights to LA from December, marking the return of Qantas’ superjumbo and reintroduction of First Class to Melbourne.

The aircraft have a reconfigured Business cabin, with 70 updated suites, an extended Premium Economy section with 60 seats(up from 35) as well as refreshed Economy and First cabins. The upper deck lounge (open to Business and First passengers) has been expanded and upgraded with booth style seating for 10 people, a self-service bar and an option to order signature drinks and snacks. Thirty Economy seats were removed to make room for more premium seating.

LOUNGE REOPENS

The Qantas Melbourne International Business Lounge has today welcomed its first visitors since the start of pandemic, with customers flying to Delhi this morning the first to reacquaint themselves with the lounge.

The Melbourne First Lounge, which operated as a hybrid First/Business Lounge during the pandemic, has reverted to the full premium offering.