Qantas’ growing international map now includes the Pacific Island Nation of Palau. Made up of over 300 islands, it is additionally home to UNESCO World Heritage Listed Rock Islands. It marks our fifth international route to launch from Queensland in the last 12 months following services from Brisbane to Vanuatu and Manila.

Known as the ‘Palau Paradise Express’, will operate as part of a contract awarded to Qantas by the Australian Federal Government and will help maintain strong trade and tourism links between Australia and Palau.

Route fast facts:

• Inaugural flight will depart from Brisbane on Saturday 7 December 2024.
• Flights will depart Brisbane weekly with a Boeing 737 aircraft.
• Average flight time is 6 hours.
• Brisbane to Palau service will operate as QF165.
• Palau to Brisbane service will operate as QF166.

Destination fast facts:

• Palau is made up of over 300 islands and is home to UNESCO World Heritage Listed Rock Islands.
• Palau requires all visitors to sign the Palau Pledge upon arrival, a commitment to protecting the island’s ecological and cultural heritage during their stay.
• Palau is a world-renowned premier diving destination, however, there is much more to do beyond diving.
• Palauan culture embraces matrilineal traditions. Women have traditional authority over land and oversee clan finances.
• Palau created the world’s first shark sanctuary in 2009, protecting around 600,000 square kilometres of ocean.
• Palau is home to Jellyfish Lake, where millions of non-stinging jellyfish migrate across the lake daily.

Qantas customers travelling through Adelaide are set to receive an upgrade to their airport experience with the construction of a new lounge precinct set to commence this month.

The development includes a brand-new Domestic Business Lounge which takes inspiration from Kangaroo Island’s Flinders Chase National Park and a full refurbishment of the current Qantas Club and Chairmans Lounge.

The first stage of construction includes the fit out of the Qantas Club, which is expected to open in mid-November, ahead of the new Domestic Business Lounge welcoming its first customers in mid-2025.

While the footprint of the lounge space will remain the same, through the redesign of currently under-utilised spaces, the total seating capacity will increase by more than 10 per cent.

The interiors of the new lounge precinct will be inspired by the beauty of South Australia, drawing from the state’s landscapes, culture and iconic food and flavours. South Australian sourced furniture, lighting and natural materials will feature in the lounges, along with fittings curated by the Jam Factory and artwork created by local First Nations artists.

The redevelopment is part of the national carrier’s $100 million investment in upgrading and enhancing its global lounge network.

Qantas Executive Manager for Product and Service, Phil Capps, said the lounge upgrades reflect the needs of customers flying from Adelaide and excellence in South Australian architectural and interior design.

“Our local design philosophy means the new Adelaide Lounge Precinct will celebrate the best of South Australia. From the furnishing and artworks through to the premium food and beverages we want to give our customers a taste of South Australia every time they fly with us. Our customers can also expect to see more of the features they’ve told us they value the most.”

“We’re installing extra seating throughout the precinct to provide more space to work and around 80 per cent of seats will have access to power stations and device ports so customers can easily charge up before their flight.”

Throughout the construction phase, the existing Qantas Club will continue to operate for eligible customers one hour prior to the first Qantas operated service until the last departure. A ‘Grab and Go’ offering with premium breakfast options and barista coffee will be available during busy morning peak travel times if the lounges reach capacity.

The first group of Qantas passengers have completed an Australia Travel Declaration – a digital alternative to the paper incoming passenger card (IPC) – after the pilot program was launched for travellers arriving into Australia from New Zealand this week.

The pilot is an initiative of the Trans-Tasman Seamless Travel Group, which was established to deliver on the Australian and New Zealand’s Prime Ministers’ commitment to explore ways to move closer to seamless travel between the two countries.

Their vision is to work towards ‘contactless travel’ whereby passengers can rely on digital credentials and facial recognition for quicker and easier progression through key steps at airports.

Following months of planning and development between the ABF, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and Qantas, the Australia Travel Declaration pilot commenced on Monday (21 October 2024).

Eligible passengers were invited to complete the digital form in the Qantas app prior to travelling on QF126 from Auckland – the first flight of the pilot – which landed at Brisbane Airport about 5pm.

After completing the declaration, those passengers received a digital pass with a QR code through the Qantas app and to their nominated email, which was shown to ABF and DAFF officers for swift clearance through biosecurity and border controls.

ABF Commissioner Michael Outram said it was exciting to be on the way to ditching the paper card – starting with flights across the Tasman.

“A significant amount of work has gone into getting this pilot off the ground, and I’d like to commend the efforts and contribution of Australian and New Zealand agencies and companies to get us to here,” Commissioner Outram said.

“This is just one of a number of border modernisation initiatives being co-designed and co-financed by government and industry, and the importance of this opportunity cannot be overstated.

 “As we prepare to welcome the world to Brisbane for the 2032 Olympics, we are striving to be the most innovative leaders at the border, and this is the first of many big steps in the right direction.”

DAFF Deputy Secretary of Biosecurity Justine Saunders said biosecurity was a shared responsibility.

“We are pleased to see the biosecurity process becoming more integrated and streamlined while still effectively protecting Australia from harmful biosecurity pests and diseases,” Ms Saunders said.

“The success of this pilot program is a step in the right direction towards our shared end goal of achieving streamlined border clearances.”

Qantas Group Chief Customer and Digital Officer, Catriona Larritt said “Qantas customers will be the first to experience this great initiative through the Qantas App, in partnership with the Australian Government.

“This is only an initial step as part of a larger project to make the arrival experience more seamless for our customers.”

Brisbane Airport CEO, Gert-Jan de Graaff, said “This trial is an important step forward, moving Australia closer to the experience of the world’s leading travel hubs.

“We’re proud to play a part in shaping the future of seamless travel for everyone.”

Eligible passengers – adults, travelling solo, who are Qantas customers and willing to use a SmartGate – on flights to Brisbane from Auckland (initially the afternoon flight) will be invited to complete their declarations through the Qantas app, up to 72 hours prior to departure.

The pilot will expand to flights departing other New Zealand cities – including Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown – to Brisbane in the coming days and weeks.

This will likely also expand to more Australian airports during the pilot stage, while further international locations and other airlines will be considered as the program progresses beyond the pilot stage.

 

By 2025, Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport may allow travellers to pass through entirely document-free.

Known for its advanced technology, Zayed Airport has now launched the Smart Travel Project, which plans to install biometric sensors at every identification point in the airport—from check-in counters and immigration booths to duty-free tills, lounges, and boarding gates. Using facial and iris recognition, these sensors will verify travellers’ identities, making traditional ID, passport, and ticket checks unnecessary.

Biometrics, or biological measurements unique to each individual, provide a seamless way to confirm travel status. Currently, this technology is available on some Etihad flights, but Zayed Airport aims to implement it across nine touchpoints—a global first, according to Andrew Murphy, Abu Dhabi Airport’s Chief Information Officer.

Unlike systems that require pre-enrolment, Abu Dhabi’s biometrics will operate automatically. Passengers visiting the UAE, whether residents or tourists, will have their biometrics recorded on arrival by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP). The airport’s technology then integrates this data to verify passengers at each checkpoint without additional steps.

Murphy emphasises the convenience and speed this offers, with initial tests indicating transit times of under 15 minutes from the curb to boarding or retail areas. This efficiency is remarkable given the airport’s capacity to process 45 million passengers annually.

For those preferring a more traditional process, such as infrequent travellers or those with young children, a standard document verification option will remain available. The choice aligns with international standards, acknowledging that some passengers may find facial recognition unfamiliar or prefer a human interaction. Children under 12, whose facial features change rapidly, will still require manual verification.

The drive for biometric integration is not unique to Abu Dhabi. Many global airports are increasingly adopting biometric technology, but no airport has fully implemented a passport-free process. Singapore’s Changi Airport, for instance, is introducing similar measures this year. Other hubs, including Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Delhi, have also installed biometric systems for streamlined travel.

European airports are also progressing; a trial by British Airways last year enabled a fully digital international flight from Heathrow to Rome. In the US, Customs and Border Protection has implemented biometrics across all international arrivals, with select airports using it for departures as well.

Despite the international interest in biometric travel, widespread adoption hinges on standardisation. IATA’s head of customer experience, Louise Cole, explains that passengers will benefit most if biometric processes are consistent across airports. Streamlining biometric technology worldwide would enhance the travel experience, ensuring privacy and data protection.

Abu Dhabi’s document-free system could set the standard, showing the potential for a seamless, paperless airport journey across the globe.