Qantas

In 1919, Qantas founders W Hudson Fysh and Paul McGinness attempted to enter the Great Air Race, aiming to be the first Australians to fly from Great Britain to Australia and win the £10,000 prize.

Qantas, originally known as Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited, was founded in Winton, Queensland on 16 November 1920. The airline was established by Paul McGinness, Sir Hudson Fysh, and Sir Fergus McMaster.

Qantas was formed in Winton, Queensland with two aircraft, focusing on joy-flights and charter work. Grazier Fergus McMaster provided guidance and became the first Chairman.

Qantas introduced an enclosed passenger cabin on the DH50 aircraft in 1924, bringing luxury to their services. This innovation marked a significant milestone in the history of Qantas.

Qantas chief engineer, Arthur Baird, initiated a project to build Qantas DH50 aircraft under licence at Longreach. Qantas stood out as one of the few airlines to have built and operated its own aircraft.

In 1928, Qantas was contracted to operate the first flying doctor service on behalf of Reverend John Flynn’s Australian Inland Mission. This service, based in Cloncurry, flew 225 patients in its inaugural year, showcasing the airline's commitment to community service.

In 1929, Qantas pilot Lester Brain located the missing Kookaburra aircraft in the Tanami Desert. The pilots, Keith Anderson and Bob Hitchcock, had tragically perished while searching for Charles Kingsford Smith and the Southern Cross, highlighting the risks of early aviation exploration.

In June 1938, two Shorts S.23 Empire flying boats joined the Qantas fleet, along with the employment of the first flight attendant. These flying boats operated until 1944, contributing to the airline's growth and services.

Qantas initiated through-services from Sydney to London on the Kangaroo Route in December, marking a significant milestone in long-haul air travel.

The founding Chairman of Qantas, Sir Fergus McMaster, passed away. His leadership and vision had a lasting impact on the airline's development and growth.

Qantas co-founder Paul McGinness died in Perth, marking a significant loss for the airline. His contributions to the early success of Qantas were invaluable.

New Super Constellations operated the first Qantas trans-Pacific services between Sydney, San Francisco and Vancouver in 1954.

In 1956, Qantas placed an order for the Boeing 707-138 jet airliner, signaling a technological advancement in the airline's fleet. This decision paved the way for Qantas to introduce jet services.

On 29 July 1959, Qantas operated its first jet service from Sydney to San Francisco via Nadi and Honolulu. This marked a milestone in the airline's history of jet travel.

The name Qantas Airways Limited was adopted in 1967, marking a significant milestone in the airline's history.

During Cyclone Tracy's devastation in Darwin in 1974, Qantas set a world record by evacuating 673 people on a single Boeing 747 flight, showcasing the airline's commitment to humanitarian efforts.

In March 1979, Qantas became the first airline in the world to introduce Business class, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of passenger services in the aviation industry.

In 1989, Qantas upgraded its Boeing 747 fleet with the arrival of the new Boeing 747-400 series. This modernization initiative enhanced the airline's operational capabilities.

In 1991, the Australian government announced its intention to sell 49% of Qantas, leading to the process of privatization. This decision marked a significant shift in the ownership and management of the airline.

In August 1992, Qantas acquired Australian Airlines, gaining access to the national domestic market for the first time in its history and expanding its fleet with Boeing 737 and Airbus A300 aircraft.

Qantas was privatized in March 1993, with British Airways acquiring a 25% stake in the airline, marking a significant shift in the ownership structure of the Australian carrier.

Since privatisation in 1995, Qantas has focused on safety and innovation, incorporating the best available technology. New aircraft like the Airbus A330, A380, and Boeing 787 Dreamliner joined the fleet.

In 1998, Qantas co-founded the Oneworld alliance with other major airlines, including American Airlines, British Airways, and Cathay Pacific. This strategic partnership enhanced Qantas' global network and connectivity.

On 14 September 2001, the collapse of Ansett Australia led to Qantas significantly increasing its market share, positioning the airline as the dominant player in the Australian aviation industry.

The first flight of Jetstar Asia took off from its Singapore hub to Hong Kong, marking Qantas' entry into the Asian cut-price market.

Qantas announced an order for 115 Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft, allowing the airline to replace its Boeing 767-300 fleet, increase capacity, and establish new routes.

Qantas received its first Airbus A380 at a ceremony on 19 September 2008, with plans to potentially order more. The aircraft landed in Sydney on 21 September and commenced its first route from Melbourne to Los Angeles in October 2008.

Qantas operated its final scheduled Boeing 747-300 service on 29 December 2008, marking the end of over 24 years of operations with the aircraft model.

In 2012, a Commercial Agreement was signed between Qantas and Emirates to form the world’s leading airline partnership.

In 2014, Qantas was named the safest airline in the world by AirlineRatings.com, with a seven-star rating for safety and in-flight product.

In 2016, Qantas unveiled a new livery for their Airbus A330-300 featuring an updated kangaroo logo and exclusive typography designed by Marc Newson in partnership with Houston Group. The design included a silver band for a premium feel, streamlined typography, and enhancements to the Flying Kangaroo symbol.

In 2017, Qantas received its first Boeing B787 Dreamliner, configured with 236 seats across Business, Premium Economy, and Economy Class.

Qantas operated the first ever non-stop commercial flight between Australia and Europe on 24 March 2018, with a 17-hour journey from Perth to London Heathrow.

On March 25, 2018, with the new Boeing B787 Dreamliners, Qantas became the first airline to connect Australia and Europe by a direct air link.

The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges for Qantas and the airline industry, marking one of the most difficult periods in recent history.

On March 19, 2020, Qantas announced the suspension of all international flights and a significant reduction in domestic flights due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Qantas celebrated its 100th anniversary on 16 November 2020, marking a journey from an outback airstrip to becoming one of the world's leading airlines.

From October 31, 2021, Qantas planned to resume flights to 22 of its pre-COVID international destinations, excluding some direct flights initially.

Qantas placed a major order with Airbus for 20 Airbus A321XLR aircraft and 20 Airbus A220-300 in March 2022, with additional purchase rights for more narrowbody aircraft.

Qantas placed an order for four 787-9, eight 787-10, and 12 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft for international service under Project Fysh. These new aircraft will replace the Airbus A330 and A380 in the Qantas fleet in the future.

Qantas decided to halt the Perth to London route due to the anticipation of a potential Iranian attack on Israel.