Qantas launches Santiago flights
The inaugural Qantas flight from Sydney to Santiago departed this morning.
The Australian carrier will now offer three return weekly services to the Chilean capital (Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays), operated using a Boeing 747 that has been refurbished with A380 cabin products.
Qantas’ oneworld partner LAN Airlines will codeshare on the Qantas services while the Australian airline will continue to codeshare on LAN’s daily services between Sydney and Santiago, via Auckland.
Qantas Group’s Executive for Commercial, Rob Gurney said; “Santiago is one of South America’s most dynamic business centres and provides excellent connections to the rest of the continent.
“There are strong ties between Australia and South America, with growing visitor numbers, mutual investment and an Australia-Chile free trade agreement in place.
“Flying to Santiago is part of Qantas’ strategy to target global gateway cities. South America’s fast-growing economies make it the perfect time to introduce this new, non-stop service to one of the region’s major hubs.
“It is also pleasing to be expanding our long-standing relationship with Chile’s national carrier, LAN. Together we will offer ten services per week between Sydney and Santiago and access to LAN’s extensive South American network,” Gurney added.