QANTAS 2020 100th anniversary

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CaptJCool

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hi all

After reading of the new Bendigo destination, I pondered the idea of setting up a trip to visit every QF destinations as a good adventure to celebrate the 100th anniversary

By then I’ll be on FIRE and have the time (& cash) to do so, a side benefit would mean I probably get across the lifetime Gold threshold too!

In trying to find a destination history list by year of commencement, I ran over this website;

Aboutqfa - QANTAS Virtual Airways

Fysh and McGinness began seeking financial backing for an air service, finding it in the form of wealthy grazier Fergus McMaster, whom McGinness met when he stopped to help him recover his vehicle, which had broken an axle.

The pair, with their former mechanic, Arthur Baird, then set up business with an order for two Avro aircraft (only one being delivered), at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney, New South Wales, in August 1920.

they became Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited - Q.A.N.T.A.S. - formally on

16th November, 1920.

In 1931 base moved to Brisbane and until 1947, they were really a QLD/NT with PNG (DC3) plus Singapore,LONDON Imperial Run and flying boats Fast forward to 1947, they were nationalised by the Chifley Labor Govt.

Two years later, TAA (Trans Australia Airlines) began taking over domestic routes from Qantas. (Which I gather we’re predominantly QLD and NT airports?)

So from 1949-92 were exclusively an international airline.

In 1993, Labor began privatisation..

by 1999, Qantas served 120 Australian destinations (although I do wonder if it was that high as the Wiki only contains 78)

By 2018, it’s 56 with Bendigo to come (?) but simply ran dry on trying to find starting years for various domestic QF services.

PS it’s also an Olympic Year

Anyway, it seems fitting to pencil in some celebrations in 2020, perhaps even AFF annual get together could be a celebration of sorts at a historic location ?

What do others think ?
 
Avalon 2021 (Feb/Mar) will mark the RAAFs centenary (formed March 1921). I wonder if Qantas will participate in some capacity as it’s only a few months after the date.

5 ship Connie / B707 / B747 / B787 / A380 flypast maybe? Would be a great way to send off the 747.
 
Given the close cooperation between QANTAS and the RAAF in WW2 it would be entirely appropriate for them to be involved.

As to the OP's ambition, if he's trying to go everywhere QANTAS (or QEA) EVER went he's going to have some difficulty I think....:)
 
Given the close cooperation between QANTAS and the RAAF in WW2 it would be entirely appropriate for them to be involved.

As to the OP's ambition, if he's trying to go everywhere QANTAS (or QEA) EVER went he's going to have some difficulty I think....:)
And no, wasn’t contemplating international only domestic

56 current destinations in 52 weeks. Seems doable....
 
I had the same goal around 10 years ago. Have done quite a few domestic Qantas destinations but still some way short. Too busy now.
 
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I dunno... but they'll have to do something good following in the footsteps of KLM's 100th a year before :D

“Qantas is also the oldest continuously operating airline in the world after KLM suspended their services during World War II.”
 
“Qantas is also the oldest continuously operating airline in the world after KLM suspended their services during World War II.”

I think QF has quietly dropped that after their grounding a few years back. At least they stopped making that claim for several years. I’d be surprised if they could accurately resurrect that.
 
“Qantas is also the oldest continuously operating airline in the world after KLM suspended their services during World War II.”

They were grounded for 48 hours. It was still an operating airline throughout, selling tickets, QantasLink kept flying - not unlike other disruptions like volcanic ash or manufacturer fleet groundings.

KLM stopped for approx 5 years between 1940-1945. Obviously the reason is sad and we don’t want to rub salt in the wound, but it’s still fact.
 
Interestingly on Wikipedia, KLM tag is
"Founded in 1919, KLM is the oldest airline in the world still operating under its original name"

And according to the link above,
KLM still operated in the Dutch Netherland Antilles in the Caribbean during the war, and if you exclude KLM you still have Avianca.
 
I had the same goal around 10 years ago. Have done quite a few domestic Qantas destinations but still some way short. Too busy now.

Likewise. I've flown to over 30 QF Australian destinations, but the other 20-odd is a challenge (even over 2 years), since I'm not based in Australia and due to schedules.
 
Likewise. I've flown to over 30 QF Australian destinations, but the other 20-odd is a challenge (even over 2 years), since I'm not based in Australia and due to schedules.
From memory I flew 33 destinations. Are there another 20 destinations? I thought maybe 10-12 more destinations but some of the more expensive flights.
 
From memory I flew 33 destinations. Are there another 20 destinations? I thought maybe 10-12 more destinations but some of the more expensive flights.

Yes. I found the full city point to point list here
Route Maps | Qantas
So there are 56 a lot in QLD, WA a few more in NSW, And just several in SA, Tas and Vic

You may well be right that logistics and time and expensive fares may defeat it being done in one year....
 
The WI services began in 1941. Europe services suspended in 1940. There was a gap.

KLM does not claim to be the oldest continually operating airline - just the oldest.

The text suggests otherwise?

Running smoothly
The outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 had major consequences for KLM’s European network and flights to the Dutch colonies in what is now Indonesia. But it had less impact on KLM’s West-Indian Operation, which was running smoothly. The day after war broke out in Europe, on 3 September 1939, KLM launched a new scheduled service between Curacao and Paramaribo (Suriname) via Trinidad.
 
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