It was 1935. The Great Depression was still pinching, trousers were higher, and flight was more fantasy than function. But on 17 April, a modest de Havilland DH86 trundled out of Brisbane with two passengers onboard and a dream wedged somewhere between the wing struts — to fly international. The destination? Singapore. The journey? Sixteen stops, three and a half days, and enough legroom for imagination but certainly not for one’s legs.
Fast-forward to today, and that sprightly young airline—now known affectionately (and occasionally irreverently) as The Flying Kangaroo—is celebrating 90 years of international flying. And what a marvellous, contrail-filled journey it has been.
Qantas has gone from winging two brave souls over the jungle in a glorified flying shed to moving over 7.6 million passengers across 56 international routes in 2024—quite the glow-up for an airline born in the Queensland outback and raised on biplanes and big dreams.
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- A Qantas publicity photo taken at Archerfield Airport in Brisbane in 1936 showing a DH86 with a Hudson Terraplane taxi
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- Aerial view of a new Qantas DH86 on a test flight over England in 1934
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- Qantas began flying from Sydney to Singapore in 1938 with six Empire flying boats with names beginning with ‘C’. Passengers enjoyed full cabin service with hot meals
From Battered Wings to Business Lounges
“Back then, flying international meant pulling out a calendar rather than a watch,” quipped Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace — though likely with slightly more diplomacy. “It took over three days to reach Singapore from Brisbane. Now we do that in under eight hours, with room to stretch and champagne on pour.”
And here we are, nine decades and 273 million international travellers later, with Qantas at the top of the aviation food chain — or at the very least, offering the best food at 35,000 feet.
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- A 1940 map showing the longest air route in the world between the UK, Australia and New Zealand operated jointly by BOAC, Qantas and TEAL
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- A dramatic image of a Qantas Douglas DC-4 Skymaster getting airborne from Kai Tak Airport, Hong Kong shortly after Qantas began flying there in 1949
Wallace says the anniversary is more than just a nod to the past. “We’re incredibly proud of our history, but equally excited about what’s ahead.”
And why wouldn’t he be? Qantas is preparing to launch two new routes — Melbourne to Honolulu (a paradise-to-paradise flight) and Sydney to Sapporo. Australians love snow almost as much as we love bragging about avoiding it.
But the real crown jewel in Qantas’ sky-high plans? Project Sunrise — a direct flight from Sydney to London or New York, no tedious stopovers, no changing terminals in Doha, and no suspicious curry puffs in transit lounges.
The new Airbus A350 promises wellness zones, ultra-long-haul comfort, and uninterrupted service that would’ve made even Charles Kingsford Smith shed a tear—or order another G&T.
A Walk Down the Aisle of History
To celebrate, Qantas is digging deep into its archives — and we mean properly deep. We’re talking sepia-toned photos, wartime flight logs, retro hostess uniforms that would now get flagged by HR, and advertising posters that had more flair than a Bondi surfboard.
This treasure trove will soon be unveiled for the public’s viewing pleasure. It offers a nostalgic romp through an era when airline seats were plush, ashtrays were mandatory, and turbulence was just part of the show.
But wait, there’s more — and it’s not a steak-or-chicken dilemma.
Qantas will also roll out three limited edition Business Class amenity kits, each a nod to the airline’s design legacy. Featuring artwork from the carrier’s rich archives, these kits promise to make even the most seasoned traveller feel a little bit special (or at the very least, slightly more moisturised mid-flight).
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- An aerial view of a Qantas Lockheed L749 Constellation fitted with a ‘Speed-Pak’ cargo pannier. The Constellation flew the first Qantas services to Europe and the UK in 1947
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- The arrival of the first Qantas L1049 Super Constellations in 1954 enabled Qantas to offer around-the-world flights in 1958 and introduced tourist class travel
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- Along with the Boeing 707, Qantas acquired the Lockheed L188 Electra turboprop airliner in 1959. They serviced medium range routes in the Asia Pacific region
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- Australia entered the age of jet travel when Qantas began flying the Boeing 707-138 in 1959, halving travel times
Still Flying the Flag — And Doing It Proudly
From stop-start bush runs to sleek non-stop global hauls, Qantas has spent the better part of a century threading Australia into the world’s great travel tapestry. It has flown migrants, soldiers, diplomats, holidaymakers, honeymooners, and the occasional lost backpacker to far-flung corners of the globe.
Its story is ours — a bold, bronzed nation that refused to be left off the map. A nation that built an airline as rugged as it was refined, and managed to keep it aloft even through wars, oil shocks, financial crises, and unruly passengers who thought “airplane mode” was a suggestion.
As it turns 90, Qantas continues to do what it’s always done best: connect Australians with the world and bring the world closer to Australia.
And if the past is anything to go by, the next 90 years will be a ride — hopefully with fewer stops, better coffee, and just enough cheek to keep it interesting.
Happy anniversary, old girl. May your wheels-up be ever smooth, and your in-flight wine list never run dry.
