Qantas commenced an enhanced Brisbane–Manila schedule on 27 October 2025, increasing frequency from four to five return flights per week less than a year after launching the route. Operated by Airbus A330s with 27 lie-flat Business Suites, the service departs Brisbane mid-afternoon and arrives in Manila early evening, offering onward connectivity to Cebu, Davao and Clark on codeshare partner Philippine Airlines.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles hailed the capacity boost, noting that Filipino nationals are now the fourth-largest overseas-born community in the state. “More seats strengthen family links and support our nursing and engineering talent pipelines,” he said.
Trade data from Austrade show bilateral goods exchange with the Philippines grew 15 % year-on-year to AUD 5.8 billion in FY 2024-25, and officials expect the extra 25,000 seats annually to facilitate further growth in agrifood exports and education travel.
From the traveller’s perspective, the new timetable provides better connections to Qantas’ domestic network, enabling same-day departures from regional centres such as Rockhampton and Townsville. SME corporate-travel buyers reported economy fares starting at AUD 915 return during the airline’s 96-hour launch sale.
Qantas said it would review load factors over the next six months and has not ruled out daily operations, especially with competitor Cebu Pacific considering its own Brisbane entry.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles hailed the capacity boost, noting that Filipino nationals are now the fourth-largest overseas-born community in the state. “More seats strengthen family links and support our nursing and engineering talent pipelines,” he said.
Trade data from Austrade show bilateral goods exchange with the Philippines grew 15 % year-on-year to AUD 5.8 billion in FY 2024-25, and officials expect the extra 25,000 seats annually to facilitate further growth in agrifood exports and education travel.
From the traveller’s perspective, the new timetable provides better connections to Qantas’ domestic network, enabling same-day departures from regional centres such as Rockhampton and Townsville. SME corporate-travel buyers reported economy fares starting at AUD 915 return during the airline’s 96-hour launch sale.
Qantas said it would review load factors over the next six months and has not ruled out daily operations, especially with competitor Cebu Pacific considering its own Brisbane entry.
