INDIA: Qantas and Jetstar plan sub-continental expansion with new jets

Australia’s fast-growing demand for travel to India is about to be met with renewed enthusiasm from Qantas and Jetstar. As both airlines usher in new long-range aircraft, they’re preparing to expand their presence on routes to the subcontinent significantly. For travellers, this means more nonstop flights, more modern cabins, and some much-needed fare pressure on what has become a high-demand market.

Qantas wants a bigger India footprint and it will soon have the right aircraft

Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace says the airline is “making good returns” on its current India routes from Sydney to Bengaluru and from Melbourne to Delhi. But he concedes that the Airbus A330s operating these 12–13 hour flights aren’t ideal.

That mismatch will start to resolve from 2027 as Qantas takes delivery of an expanded long-haul fleet, including Airbus A350-1000s and more Boeing 787s. These aircraft will gradually phase out the A330S and give Qantas the flexibility to expand its services into India with better-suited long-range jets.

Wallace sees India as a medium- to long-term growth market that will benefit from the Qantas Group’s expanding partnership with IndiGo, which will provide extensive domestic connectivity in India.

Perth emerges as Qantas’ next India gateway

One element of Qantas’ India strategy is its desire to turn Perth into a major launchpad for new routes. According to an interview in ET, Wallace is confident that the Qntas/Jetstar will fly from Perth to India once the right aircraft arrive. Those aircraft will be Airbus A321XLRs, which Qantas plans to debut from 2028 with full lie-flat business-class suites, a new luxury on the group’s narrow-body jets.

The move of Qantas’ facilities to Perth Airport’s new Airport Central precinct by 2031 could unlock a broader network of Asian destinations from Perth. That will certainly cement the West Coast capital into a strategic hub for long-thin routes best served by XLR aircraft.

Jetstar prepares to bring India into its low-cost orbit

Jetstar, is also preparing to spread its wings into India using an entirely different model. The budget airline will introduce upgraded Boeing 787s from early 2026, featuring refreshed cabins, onboard Wi-Fi and, most importantly, a new crew rest facility. That addition unlocks the aircraft’s full long-haul capability, finally allowing Jetstar to operate flights approaching the Dreamliner’s 16-hour maximum.

Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully has already indicated that India and Sri Lanka are prime candidates for this extended network. She is signalling the potential for low-cost options on routes previously dominated by full-service carriers. For bargain-hunters and budget-minded families, India may soon be far more accessible than ever before.

A dual-brand strategy

Qantas and Jetstar aim to extend their dual-brand strategy across India and Asia. Qantas will focus on premium travellers and corporate customers, while Jetstar will chase volume and price-sensitive demand. The two airlines collaborate closely on network planning to ensure they build complementary schedules rather than in competition.

The approach is designed to give the Qantas Group a broad footprint: Qantas for comfort and business class beds, and Jetstar for sharp fares and leisure travel elasticity.

2PAXfly Takeout

India has long been a glaring gap in Australian airlines international networks. It has been served inconsistently and often with aircraft that struggled with the route length. The wave of modern aircraft Qantas and Jetstar have ordered will give them the tools to treat the market seriously.

For travellers, this is all excellent news. For Qantas, it’s long overdue, and for Jetstar this is perhaps the most exciting expansion opportunity making India into a leisure and family destination.