Qantas Codeshares with Israeli El Al

23rd Feb 2017

Australian airline Qantas and Israel-based carrier El Al have penned a new codeshare partnership. According to the agreement the two airlines have made, Qantas code will be placed on El Al's flights between Tel Aviv and Bangkok and Hong Kong, while El Al's code will be placed on Qantas' flights connecting Bangkok with Sydney and on flights between Hong Kong and Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

In addition, the airlines will also codeshare on each other's flight to Johannesburg, South Africa ? El Al from Tel Aviv and Qantas from Sydney.

Signing the partnership were Qantas International CEO Gareth Evans and El Al President and CEO David Maimon.

Evans said:

"We're really pleased to be teaming up with El Al and adding Tel Aviv to our network. It's a popular destination for the many Australians with family and friends in Israel, including a lot of Qantas frequent flyers who we know will welcome the option to book with us. The timing's especially good when you think about the growing number of Australian companies doing business with Israel's world-class technology and start-up sectors."

Mr. Maimon added:

"To have the national carriers of both Israel and Australia further enhance cooperation will strengthen the ties between our countries and provide a seamless mode of travel for our passengers."

According to the agreement Qantas and El Al signed, their frequent flyers will have the opportunity to earn miles and premium passengers will also have access to airport lounges in the cities included in the codeshare agreements.

Qantas In-Flight Wi-Fi Test a Success

Meanwhile, Qantas first in-flight Wi-Fi test was a success.

In the course of a three-hour flight 140 Qantas staff members on Board the Boeing 737-800 VH-XZB put the in-flight Wi-Fi to test by streaming content, downloading an app, testing out content filters or sending emails (generally what is expected passengers will do).

And the system performed admirably, according to Qantas.

In a short statement, Qantas said:

Most of the testers experienced a seamless streaming experience. But everyone downloading apps at one time did test the limits.

Once Qantas is fully satisfied with the performance of its in-flight Wi-Fi, passengers will be able to stream video and audio from Netflix and Foxtel on domestic Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 flights.