Qantas Fuel Surcharge 2026: Fare Hikes and New Reroutes

Last updated: Apr 14, 2026

Qantas has raised international fares and increased fuel surcharges on long-haul tickets, as the Middle East crisis drives jet fuel to record highs.

Here’s what’s changed, how much more you’ll pay, and what Qantas Frequent Flyer members need to know.

Table of Contents

What Qantas Has Announced

In short:

International fares: up 4–6%
Long-haul fuel surcharges: increased on some routes to Europe, North America, and Asia
Domestic capacity: reduced by about 5 percentage points in Q4 FY2026
Effective from: mid-March 2026

Here’s what that means for your ticket:

Long-haul international (London, LA, New York): Surcharges of up to several hundred dollars per ticket on top of fare increases, depending on route and cabin class. A typical Sydney–Tokyo economy fare has risen to around A$1,500.
Short-haul international (Bali, Singapore, Auckland): Fares are rising in line with the overall increase, with surcharges varying by route to Singapore and Auckland.
Domestic routes: The 5% capacity cut is expected to push domestic fares higher through Q2 2026 as fewer seats chase the same demand, with domestic RASK forecast to grow around 5% for 2H26.

Why Fares Are Rising

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz in early April disrupted roughly 20% of global oil and gas trade.

According to the IATA Jet Fuel Price Monitor, the global average hit US$209 per barrel as of early April 2026.

Qantas’ estimated fuel bill for the second half of FY2026 has risen to A$3.1–3.3 billion, up from a prior forecast of approximately A$2.5 billion, an increase of A$600–800 million, according to Reuters reporting via Investing.com.

Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson said on 3 March that the airline has “pretty good hedging in place”, with 81% of fuel hedged for the second half of the financial year ending June 30, as reported by Free Malaysia Today via Reuters.

But that hedging coverage runs out at the end of June.

If jet fuel prices remain elevated beyond FY2026, Qantas’s exposure to spot fuel prices will increase dramatically, and further fare hikes are likely.

Rerouted Flights and the Perth–London Suspension

What’s changed with Qantas routes:

Non-stop Perth–London (QF9) has been suspended since 4 March 2026, shortly after the US–Iran conflict began on 28 February.
All Perth–London flights now operate via Singapore, with a mandatory stopover.
Journey times have increased by 3+ hours, with the service now running as QF209 (Perth–Singapore–London).
Qantas’ new Sydney–Perth–Paris Charles de Gaulle route (launching 20 April) will also stop in Singapore.
Non-stop flights between Perth and Europe are currently not operating on these routes.

What This Means for Qantas Frequent Flyer Members

Qantas charges carrier-imposed surcharges on Classic Flight Reward bookings and these have risen alongside the fuel crisis.

The surcharges apply on a per-sector basis and vary by route and cabin class.

Here’s what to expect when redeeming Qantas Points right now:

Domestic sectors: ~A$35 per sector in carrier charges
Short-haul international (e.g., Melbourne–Singapore): ~A$210 per sector
Long-haul international (e.g., Sydney–London): A$300+ per sector, depending on cabin class

A return Business Classic Reward from Melbourne to Singapore could carry nearly A$500 in carrier charges alone, on top of the points required, according to Australian Frequent Flyer.

There is a workaround: book award flights on Qantas partner airlines that may charge lower surcharges.

For example, American Airlines flights to North America can be booked with Qantas Points for the same number of points, but with significantly lower carrier charges.

Other oneworld partners to consider include Fiji Airways on select routes. Surcharge amounts vary by partner airline and route, so compare the total cost (points + charges) before booking.

How to Manage Costs and What to Expect Next

Compare fares on Wego before booking — prices are changing frequently and vary significantly between airlines and routes
Book sooner rather than later if you’re planning travel in Q3 2026 — further increases are possible as hedging coverage declines
Use Qantas Points now if you have them, especially on partner airlines with lower surcharges
Consider alternative routes — Perth–Rome operates up to four flights per week during peak season and may offer better pricing than the London routing via Singapore
Monitor developments around the ceasefire — the two-week US–Iran ceasefire announced 8 April could lead to changes in fuel prices and routing if the Strait of Hormuz fully reopens

Frequently Asked Questions

Has Qantas cancelled any flights because of the fuel crisis?

Qantas has cut domestic capacity by ~5 percentage points in the June quarter and suspended non-stop Perth–London (QF9). The Perth–London route now operates via Singapore as QF209. Affected passengers are offered fee-free rebooking or full refunds. Jetstar flights have also been affected, with customers contacted directly.

Does the fuel surcharge apply to Qantas award tickets?

Yes — Qantas charges carrier-imposed surcharges on Classic Flight Rewards. These surcharges range from ~A$35 per domestic sector to A$300+ per long-haul sector. You can reduce costs by booking award flights on partner airlines like American Airlines or Fiji Airways, which may charge lower fees for the same number of Qantas Points.

Will Qantas fares go up again?

Further increases are possible if jet fuel prices remain elevated beyond June 2026. Qantas has 81% of its fuel hedged through June 30, but once that coverage expires, exposure to spot prices — currently above US$200/barrel — rises sharply. A two-week US–Iran ceasefire was announced on 8 April 2026 and includes terms for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which could ease fuel prices if fully implemented.

When will Qantas resume non-stop Perth–London flights?

Qantas has not set a date for resuming non-stop QF9. The airline says it will review the routing “once Gulf airspace is declared safe by all relevant authorities.” The two-week ceasefire announced 8 April 2026 could be a step towards this, but as of 14 April implementation remains fragile.

Sources

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.