Brisbane travelers can now fly straight to Manila with Qantas’s new nonstop service, marking a significant expansion of the airline’s Asian network. The direct route, launched this week, strengthens Australia’s connection to the Philippines. It also gives Queensland passengers easier access to the vibrant capital city.
The inaugural flight departed Brisbane on Monday evening, marking a new chapter in Australian-Philippine aviation history. Operating four times weekly with Airbus A330 aircraft, the service will create over 100,000 new seats annually between the two countries.
This strategic addition complements Qantas’s existing daily Sydney-Manila flights, substantially expanding their presence in this key Asian market.
New Zealand travelers will also benefit significantly from this route development, with smooth connections now available from Auckland and Christchurch to Manila through Brisbane. This enhancement makes the Philippines more accessible for travelers from across the Tasman.
Qantas’s relationship with the Philippines spans over seven decades. Their first Manila landing came in 1947 with Lancastrian aircraft supporting Australian military operations. Regular passenger services began in 1950 with Super Constellation aircraft, marking the start of commercial flights between the nations. A pivotal moment arrived in 1961 when Boeing 707s introduced the first nonstop Sydney-Manila flights, revolutionizing travel between the countries.
Currently, Qantas provides over 300,000 seats yearly between Australia and the Philippines, reflecting the strong demand for travel between these nations. The airline approaches a significant milestone next year, celebrating 75 years of passenger services connecting these Pacific neighbors.
Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace emphasized the importance of the Philippines market. The Philippines remains a crucial market for us, and these new Brisbane flights respond directly to growing demand. We’ve observed many customers reaching Manila through Sydney, and this direct route offers Queenslanders a faster, more convenient journey to the Philippines.
Wallace also highlighted the destination’s appeal: the Philippines offers Australian travelers an incredible destination, featuring unique history, culture, over 7,000 islands, and world-famous hospitality. We’re excited to make this diverse nation more accessible to Queenslanders.
Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff shared his enthusiasm: This Qantas route strengthens our Southeast Asian connections significantly. As one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and Queensland’s key trading partner, plus our strong local Filipino community, this enhanced connection promises success in both business and tourism sectors.
The launch represents part of Qantas’s broader international expansion from Brisbane. It follows new Palau flights and upgraded Auckland and Los Angeles services using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The airline has also commenced services to port vila, Vanuatu, and increased its Singapore frequency with two additional weekly flights. The new service not only strengthens business ties between Australia and the Philippines but also caters to growing leisure travel demand and the significant Filipino-Australian community in Queensland. this route expansion demonstrates Qantas’s continued commitment to developing its Asian network while providing enhanced travel options for customers across the Pacific region.
