Qantas returns to San Fran

Qantas, the Australian flag carrier, recommenced direct flights between Sydney and San Francisco this week. Mayor Gavin Newsom and John Travolta, the actor, part-time pilot, and Qantas ambassador, were there to welcome the first plane-load of passengers.

Having operated the route since 1954, Qantas had been missing from San Francisco's line-up for the past 11 years (due to the airline's relocation to Los Angeles). That was until 10.15 on Wednesday morning when the nonstop Sydney to San Fran flight touched down.

Initially, Qantas will be running three flights a week between the two coastal cities but Peter Gregg, the Chief Financial Officer, said that the airline has plans to develop the route further.

"San Francisco is recognized as one of the most popular leisure destinations in the U.S., but is also an important business market," he explained. "These new services take the total number of Qantas flights to the U.S. to 43 a week, which underscores our commitment to serving this very important market."

The timing of the flights has been arranged so that their arrivals coincide with American Airlines, Qantas's oneworld partner, connections to other destinations including Dallas, Chicago, Miami, and Houston.

Flights leave San Francisco on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

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