Air France Joins Qantas Paris-Perth Route: First European Codeshare on Direct Australia Service

While still waiting for Project Sunrise operations to takeoff Qantas is already operating, for already some years now, direct flights between Perth and some of Europe’s major cities. However, now one of those flights becomes available for booking even via Air France and KLM thanks to the newest just announced codeshare deal expansion.

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Air France Becomes First European Partner on Qantas Paris-Perth Route

Currently Qantas operates three non-stop flights from its western Australian base of Perth which include Rome Fiumicino, London Heathrow, and most importantly for this post Paris CDG.

Although Qantas is part of the oneworld airline alliance, it entertains a very strong partnership with the Air France-KLM group. Specifically a codeshare agreement ties the two airlines together offering greater travel opportunities to travelers.

Now, however, that standing codeshare agreement is getting a significant upgrade. It has been expanded to include the direct and non-stop flight from Paris CDG to Perth QF34.

What makes this a big deal is the fact that no other airline currently has a codeshare on this specific Europe to Australia route. Therefore, Air France gets to enhance its flight portfolio with a non-stop flight to Australia, the only continent it doesn’t serve with its own flights.

Passengers traveling on the Paris CDG to Perth flight can then end their journey in Western Australia or also travel onwards to Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne or Adelaide.

One Year Later: How the Paris-Perth Direct Service Performs

There isn’t any specific and precise data on QF34 Paris to Perth flights. However, as for Qantas flights to London and Rome they must be generating satisfying performance in terms of passenger figures and revenue as it has been confirmed for this year and all clues lead me to think that it will be present in the Qantas route network even next year.

Boeing 787-9 Operations: What Air France Codeshare Means for Passengers

For habitual Air France and, in minor measure, KLM passengers having an option to book a direct flight to Australia from Paris CDG airport cuts up to 3 hours off the current travel options available. Also it opens a new travel opportunity towards a region Air France currently underserves due to operations being economically unviable.

Also, the Qantas Boeing 787-9 used on these flights features 3 classes of travel offering multiple options in terms of comfort levels. Specifically these Qantas planes feature:

• 42 Business class seats in a 1-2-1 layout
• 28 Premium Economy seats in a 2-3-2 layout
• 166 Economy class seats in a standard 3-3-3 layout

New Asian Connection Points: Tokyo Haneda Joins Singapore and Hong Kong

The current Air France-KLM Qantas partnership expansion involves more than just access to non-stop flights from Paris CDG to Perth.

The two airline groups have also worked on expanding connection points in Asia allowing greater onwards travel options in strategically important airports.

The new Air France Qantas partnership expansions now adds Tokyo Haneda as a connection point for passengers. That means connection points to travel onwards from Air France-KLM flights to ones Qantas are now:

• Tokyo Haneda (HND) – New
• Singapore Changi
• Hong Kong

From these three airports if connecting from Air France flights on a single booking passengers can travel onwards to:

• Sydney (SYD)
• Brisbane (BNE)
• Melbourne (MEL)
• Darwin (DRW)
• Perth (PER)

Flying Blue Members Gain Access to Qantas First Class Lounges

As you might come to expect from a deal that encompasses so many parts of the two airlines’ operations loyalty and frequent flyers cannot be overlooked.

Air France doesn’t posses any lounges in any of Australia’s major airports. All airports are primarily served by Qantas a oneworld alliance airline, therefore, gaining access to lounges for elite travelers was a necessity for Air France in this codeshare expansion.

From now on Flying Blue Ultimate (the highest Air France-KLM loyalty tier) will have access to Qantas’ First Class lounges upon departure.

Of course you will also get access to the business lounge if traveling in business class.

Singapore-Darwin Route Added to Air France-KLM Network

Finally, Air France and KLM will be adding to their route network, applying their flight number to another Qantas flight in codeshare, Darwin in Northern Territory. This is an additional route network expansion Air France and KLM passengers will have when connecting flights in Singapore Changi (SIN).

Booking Options: Air France vs Qantas Direct on Paris-Perth Route

Now I’ll be completely transparent with you, direct non-stop flights from Europe to Australia operated by Qantas can be quite pricy. Saving some time on your total travel time comes at a premium. So you’ll have to decide if saving that time is worth the extra price or you’d prefer making a stopover somewhere and save some bucks.

As for booking the flight it is now also available on Air France and KLM’s official sites. However, another way you might want to book is using Flying Blue loyalty points. Beware though it is likely to be a very expensive route to book on miles.

What This Partnership Expansion Means for Australia-Europe Travel

The new Air France Qantas codeshare partnership expansion opens up new travel options. Qantas passengers can access the extensive Air France network and Air France passengers have new options to travel seamlessly to Australia.

From a strategic point of view it cuts down reliance on Middle Eastern carriers, therefore diversifying where Air France channels its passengers and not putting all of its eggs in one basket.