The Australian carrier states that it plans to announce details of the two new routes once final approval is received from the US Department of Transportation for the joint venture.
It is likely that both flights will be operated using Boeing 787-9s. Brisbane is Qantas’s second 787 base after Melbourne, and the Jets have been operating its daily Brisbane-Los Angeles services since September.
The two carriers have previously indicated that they plan to start three new routes between the USA and Australia and New Zealand if they were granted antitrust immunity for their joint venture.
The third route is likely to be a new connection to American’s hub at Dallas-Fort Worth to either Brisbane or Melbourne. Qantas flies daily from Sydney to Dallas using Airbus A380s, providing a wide range of connections on American’s extensive network from the Texan city.
The U.S. Department of Transportation on Monday issued an order tentatively approving the joint business agreement and tentatively granting antitrust immunity to the airlines covering international service. An application for a joint venture covering the United States, Australia and New Zealand was rejected by former President Barack Obama’s administration.
The deal would allow the airlines to coordinate their planning, pricing, sales and frequent flyer programs, with new options and customer service improvements. The airlines planned up to three new routes within the first two years and increased capacity on existing routes, the department said.
American Airlines said a final decision is expected in the coming weeks.
“The joint business will also create additional jobs at our respective companies and in the industries we serve,” said American Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Doug Parker.
Qantas said last year the joint venture would allow the two airlines to “significantly improve service” and “stimulate demand.” The airlines said the agreement could generate up to 180,000 new trips between the United States and Australia and New Zealand annually.
U.S. regulators in 2001 approved similar joint venture agreements for United and Air New Zealand Ltd and in 2011 for Delta Air Lines Inc and Virgin Australia.
