Qantas flight prices set to increase by a huge 20%

Australians are set to feel the pinch as Qantas announces that it will be increasing the cost of its fares.

Yesterday, Qantas said it would increase domestic flights by 10 per cent and international fares by 20 per cent. This equates to hundreds of dollars in some cases.

The cost of a flight from Melbourne to Sydney would go from $230 to just over $250 each way, while a fare from Brisbane to Sydney would climb to $295 from $269.

Meanwhile, an international fare from Sydney to Los Angeles would increase $238 and a Melbourne to London flight would jump from $221.

In addition to paying more, travellers will find that fewer flights will be available.

The airline says it will only fly at 93 per cent of 2019 levels. Its subsidiary Jetstar will run at 100 per cent of 2019’s levels, this is actually a reduction from 120 per cent back in April.

The decision to raise flights comes as Qantas recorded a $1 billion loss in the last financial year.

Qantas has recently frustrated some passengers due to long delays and mishandled baggage.

CEO Alan Joyce hopes to return the Qantas Group to profit after a third year of recording losses.

The loss in the 2022 financial year was $1.86 billion, which is even higher than the previous year.

Although, higher fuel costs rather than a loss in profits is what Mr Joyce cited as a large reason for higher airfares.

“We have to pass that on because we can’t digest that after $7 billion of losses in three years,” he said. “I think a lot of airlines around the world are doing the same thing.”