QANTAS: Closer partnership with Air France/KLM
Air France/KLM have been in partnership since 2018 when it first formulated a codeshare agreement with the European airlines. This allowed customers of the airlines to connect on flights between Australia and Europe via Hong Kong and Singapore. The arrangement also allowed for reciprocal lounge access and the earning of Qantas Points on Qantas-coded flights operated by Air France and KLM.
.In December 2019, the agreement was further expanded, to include frequent flyer benefits. This allowed Qantas Frequent fliers to earn and burn points across the whole of the Air France/KLM network. This gave additional benefits like priority boarding, check-in and additional baggage allowences. The agreement moved the deal from codeshare to partnership.
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Perth to Paris codeshare
The news of Air France adding its flight codes to the non-stop Qantas flights to Paris comes a year after they commenced, and nearly 20 years after Air France abandoned Australia as a destination.
Benefits for Frequent Flyers
Flying Blue will also be able to redeem those miles on Qantas flights, including First Class on an A380. Mind, you, some passengers might regard Qantas First Class suites as a demotion compared to Air France new La Premier offering. There you get a separate armchair and chaise longue that turns into a two metre long bed.
The top tier of the AF/KLM program at Ultimate level, will also be able to access Qantas First Lounge.
On the surface, it looks like AF/KLM Flying Blue members get all the benefits, but remember that Qantas loyalty members will also be able to earn and burn points on the French and Dutch carrier. Further benefits for Qantas members are promised soon.
We will have to wait and see what this means, but the bets are on more reciprocal benefits for Qantas frequent flyers.
2PAXfly Takeout
More benefits for Qantas loyalists are always welcome, especially when they augment benefits provided by OneWorld alliance members.
The Perth to Paris CDG flight is the only non-stop flight between Australia and France at the moment. That will continue at least until Project Sunrise with its ultra long range Airbus A350s arrive, scheduled, I think for 2027? And counting.
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