Qantas Airways (QF) and its low-cost subsidiary Jetstar Airways (JQ) will launch commercial passenger flights from the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) when it opens on Sunday, 25 October 2026. Jetstar will operate the very first commercial passenger service, with flight JQ362 departing at 11am bound for the Gold Coast. The announcement, made on 10 June 2026, follows the Qantas Group and WSI finalising a five-year agreement covering domestic passenger flights and freight operations.
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson confirmed that QantasLink regional flights will begin from WSI on 28 March 2027, operating four weekly Embraer E190 services to both Melbourne and Brisbane. WSI is Australia’s first major international greenfield airport in more than 50 years. It is located in Badgerys Creek, approximately 50km west of Sydney’s central business district, and serves a catchment area of more than three million residents.
Jetstar’s Inaugural Flight Schedule and Route Network From WSI
Jetstar will make history as the first commercial passenger flight to depart the airport, with flight JQ362 scheduled to leave at 11am on 25 October for the Gold Coast. From day one, Jetstar will connect WSI to three domestic destinations.
From that date, the low-cost carrier will operate up to 14 flights a week to Melbourne, four weekly flights to the Gold Coast, and three weekly flights to Brisbane, all aboard Airbus A320 aircraft carrying up to 188 passengers.
WSI CEO Simon Hickey welcomed the launch, saying that the flights would give all of Sydney more choice and flexibility for domestic travel, with services from both airlines expected to expand in the years ahead in line with demand.
| Route | Frequency | Operating Days | Launch Fare (One Way) | Classic Flight Reward (One Way, Economy) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WSI – MEL | Up to 14 flights per week | Daily | $69 | 5,700 Points + $21 |
| WSI – OOL | 4 flights per week | Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday | $59 | 5,700 Points + $25 |
| WSI – BNE | 3 flights per week | Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday | $75 | 5,700 Points + $26 |
Qantas Passenger and Freight Operations At WSI
Qantas, which introduced some fascinating Great Barrier Reef livery on its A321XLR, will commence passenger services from WSI on 28 March 2027, operating four weekly QantasLink Embraer E190 flights to both Melbourne and Brisbane. The carrier will also establish a cargo presence at the airport before passenger flights begin.
Qantas Freight will be among the first operators at WSI, with an inaugural freighter taking off on the evening of Monday, 27 July. The airline expects more than 850 tonnes of freight to move through WSI each week.
| Route | Frequency | Operating Days | Launch Fare (One Way) | Classic Flight Reward (One Way, Economy) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WSI – MEL | 4 flights per week | Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday | $99 (Economy) $299 (Business) |
9,200 Points + $43 |
| WSI – BNE | 4 flights per week | Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday | $99 (Economy) $299 (Business) |
9,200 Points + $44 |
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson was quoted in the official press release as saying:
“WSI will also become a key hub for Qantas Freight, with more than 850 tonnes of freight expected to move through our new terminal each week, helping us meet growing demand for e-commerce and next-day deliveries.”
Launch Fares and Ticket Availability for WSI Flights
Special launch fares for Qantas and Jetstar flights from WSI are available for purchase from 10 June 2026, with one-way economy fares available from $59 on Jetstar to the Gold Coast and from $99 (economy) or $299 (business) on Qantas to Melbourne and Brisbane.
All Qantas fares are inclusive of meals and baggage. Jetstar fares follow the airline’s standard low-cost model, where ancillary add-ons such as baggage and meals are available for purchase separately.
As reported by Australian Traveller, Qantas launched a broader domestic sale alongside the WSI announcement, with 1.4 million discounted economy seats starting from $105 one-way across more than 190 routes. That sale covers travel between 22 July 2026 and 23 May 2027.
Qantas Group’s Long-Term Plans At WSI
The Qantas Group has outlined ambitious long-term commitments at WSI that go well beyond the initial launch schedule.
The Qantas Group plans to operate up to 15 narrowbody aircraft — 10 Jetstar and five Qantas — from WSI within the first year.
These aircraft are expected to carry around four million passengers through WSI per annum on more than 25,000 flights. Around 700 operational jobs are expected to be needed, with local recruitment to take place in the lead-up to the first flights.
The cargo hub at WSI will be capable of facilitating Qantas’s transformed freighter fleet of new and upgraded Airbus A321 and Airbus A330 aircraft. Construction of the precinct will include up to 75,000 square metres of total warehousing and be capable of servicing eight wide-body aircraft at one time.
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