DARWIN, AUSTRALIA - Qantas (QF) today, March 30, 2025, celebrated the launch of its highly anticipated direct flights between Darwin International Airport (DRW) and Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), marking a significant revival of a historically important route for Australia's Northern Territory. The inaugural service, operated by a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, departed Darwin this afternoon, ushering in a new era of connectivity for both international tourists and Territorians seeking efficient travel options.
This new four-times-weekly service adds over 70,000 seats to the route annually and provides a crucial one-stop connection to Europe via Singapore. For international visitors, the direct flight eliminates the need for time-consuming domestic transfers through other Australian cities, significantly reducing travel time to the unique attractions of the Northern Territory.
The service operates on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays with the following schedule:
QF113 (Darwin to Singapore): Departs 14:55 (ACST), arrives 18:15 (SGT)
QF114 (Singapore to Darwin): Departs 19:20 (SGT), arrives 01:40 (ACST) the following day
The Boeing 737-800 aircraft features a comfortable two-cabin configuration, with 12 Business Class and 162 Economy Class seats. Passengers will enjoy access to the Qantas Club in Darwin and the premium Qantas International First/Business Lounge in Singapore.
The relaunch of this route holds historical significance for Qantas and Darwin. As CEO International Cam Wallace noted, "Darwin has always played a vital role in Qantas' international operations." The Darwin-Singapore connection originally dates back to May 1935, when Darwin served as the final Australian stop on the pioneering Kangaroo Route to London, a journey that took four and a half days with multiple stops. While a direct service existed until June 2006, this 2025 revival underscores Qantas' renewed commitment to the Northern Territory and its strategic importance in their global network.
"This new service provides seamless travel options to key destinations in Asia and offers Territorians the fastest route to Europe with just a single stop in Singapore, conveniently connecting with our A380 flights to London," Mr. Wallace added. He also emphasized the route's potential to significantly boost tourism to the Northern Territory and strengthen trade ties between Australia and Singapore. Qantas is increasing its overall capacity in the region by 180,000 seats this year, highlighting its confidence in the growth potential of the area.
The launch has been warmly welcomed by tourism authorities. Oliver Chong, Executive Director of the Singapore Tourism Board, commented, "With Singapore just under five hours away, this route presents an excellent opportunity for quick getaways and convenient stopovers for travelers heading to Europe. We are excited to welcome more visitors to experience Singapore's diverse offerings, including our renowned dining, shopping, and exciting new attractions like Rainforest Wild Asia."
To celebrate the inaugural flights, Qantas has announced a special sale on return Economy fares from $519 AUD, available for booking until 11:59 PM on April 2, 2025. These fares include checked baggage, meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment. Qantas Frequent Flyers can also utilize their points to redeem Classic or Classic Plus reward seats on these flights.
The modern Boeing 737-800 aircraft operating this route represents a significant leap in efficiency and comfort compared to the aircraft used in the route's earlier iterations. This investment reflects Qantas' long-term vision for Darwin as a crucial gateway in its expanding international network, providing enhanced connectivity and convenience for both leisure and business travelers.
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