Sunday, June 1, 2025
Australia’s flagship airline, Qantas, is set to expand its Sydney to Singapore route by introducing a second daily Airbus A380 flight on select dates between mid-June and early August 2025. This capacity boost will significantly increase premium seating options on one of the carrier’s busiest Asian routes, providing travelers with more flexibility and enhanced comfort.
Currently, Qantas offers one daily Airbus A380 flight connecting Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) with Singapore Changi Airport (SIN). Between June 16 and August 10, 2025, the airline plans to launch a second A380 service, operating as many as six times per week under flight numbers QF81 (Sydney to Singapore) and QF82 (Singapore to Sydney). This additional service will boost overall capacity on the route by 60%, doubling business class availability and adding 60 more premium economy seats in both directions.
This upgrade comes after Qantas ended its lease agreement with Finnair for Airbus A330 aircraft, which had been disrupted by industrial disputes affecting the Finnish airline’s operations. With the termination of the lease, Qantas was able to reassign one of its own A380 aircraft to maintain and expand service on this critical route.
The deployment of the A380 will not only increase the number of available seats but also improve the onboard experience. The aircraft’s cabin layout offers 14 first-class suites, 70 business class seats, 60 premium economy seats, and 341 economy seats, catering to a wide range of passenger needs and preferences.
Flight Timetable and Aircraft Utilization
According to aviation data analytics from Cirium, the new A380 service will depart Sydney in the morning, arriving in Singapore by late afternoon, followed by a four-hour ground turnaround before flying back to Sydney in the evening. This schedule complements the existing A380 flights, providing passengers with two convenient options throughout the day.
The planned flights for this period are as follows:
| Flight | Origin | Destination | Departure | Arrival | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QF1 | Sydney | Singapore | 14:50 | 21:15 | Existing A380 service |
| QF81 | Sydney | Singapore | 10:20 | 16:50 | New A380 service |
| QF2 | Singapore | Sydney | 19:30 | 05:10+1 | Existing A380 service |
| QF82 | Singapore | Sydney | 20:45 | 06:25+1 | New A380 service |
Singapore’s Key Role in Qantas’ Network
Singapore remains a vital hub for Qantas, with direct flights connecting the city to major Australian centers including Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Darwin, and Sydney. Beyond Asia-Pacific connectivity, Singapore also functions as an important gateway to Europe, with Qantas providing non-stop flights from Singapore to London Heathrow.
In addition to Qantas’ mainline services, its budget carrier Jetstar maintains a strong presence in Singapore, offering flights to multiple destinations across Asia. Jetstar also operates a seasonal service linking Broome, Western Australia, to Singapore, further strengthening regional travel links.
Recent Network Expansions
The increased frequency of A380 flights on the Sydney–Singapore route reflects Qantas’ wider growth plans. Recently, the airline announced new Airbus A330 services operating three times weekly between Perth and both Auckland and Johannesburg, strengthening travel links to New Zealand and South Africa.
Qantas has also launched seasonal Boeing 737-800 flights between Adelaide and Auckland, expanding travel options on this trans-Tasman route.
Domestically, Qantas plans to introduce seasonal Airbus A319 services between Perth and both Newcastle and Hobart, running from September 2025 through May 2026. These routes will add approximately 45,000 seats annually between Australia’s east and west coasts, creating new opportunities for seamless one-stop connections to European destinations through Perth. Qantas and its oneworld alliance partners operate direct flights from Perth to London, Paris, and Rome, making this an attractive option for travelers.
Benefits for Passengers
With the additional A380 flights, travelers can expect more competitive fares and increased availability on the popular Sydney-Singapore route. The expanded premium seating options are designed to meet rising demand for enhanced comfort on long-haul journeys within the Asia-Pacific region.
The greater capacity also supports point-to-point travelers as well as those connecting onward via Singapore. Furthermore, with Qantas’ frequent flyer program linking points redemption to actual ticket prices, passengers stand to benefit from more affordable options alongside the increased flight frequency.
