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Qantas Memberships & Partners

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Qantas Partnerships & Alliances

Qantas, the flag carrier of Australia with the IATA code QF, is a renowned member of the oneworld Alliance. Having joined this prestigious global airline coalition in the year 1999, Qantas has significantly expanded its reach across the globe, providing its customers with an extensive network of destinations and benefits. The oneworld Alliance, consisting of some of the world's top airlines, offers Qantas passengers access to over 1,000 airports in 170 territories, thereby substantially broadening Qantas' service delivery.

Qantas also maintains numerous codeshare agreements, bolstering its extensive route network and improving service to its customers. These codeshare agreements allow Qantas to sell seats on flights operated by partner airlines, providing seamless connections and more convenient flight schedules. Such agreements include airlines both within and outside the oneworld Alliance. Within the alliance, Qantas codeshares with carriers like American Airlines, British Airways, and Cathay Pacific, among others. Beyond the alliance, Qantas has strategic codeshare partnerships with airlines such as Emirates, Air Tahiti Nui, and Air Vanuatu.

In addition to its alliance membership and codeshare agreements, Qantas has entered into several key joint ventures and special partnerships. A notable example is the long-standing partnership with Emirates, first established in 2013. This agreement provides Qantas passengers with one-stop access to more than 60 destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa via Dubai. In the domestic market, Qantas maintains a close strategic partnership with Jetstar Airways, a low-cost airline also based in Australia, thereby catering to different customer segments and needs.

Airline Travel Tips & Guidance

• Read here about Airports that serve as hubs for Qantas.
• A listing of destinations Qantas flies to can be found here .
• Check here to see locations popular with vacationers that Qantas services .
• Navigate here to get an update on any Qantas flight's departure or arrival status .
• If you only wish to make your flight booking with QF airline , then the best way to do that is to book with Qantas directly on their site. That way there won't be any middleman agency you have to deal with if something goes south with your booking or flight.
• Dip your toes into the world of commercial flights , with behind-the-scenes insights that will tell all about commercial aviation.
• Need to know which airlines have alliances or partnerships with other airlines ? Our guide to Airline Alliances will scratch the itch!
• Check our QF airline guide for more information.

Qantas also holds notable partnerships outside the aviation industry, linking with leading businesses in the hospitality, car rental, financial services, and retail sectors. The Qantas Frequent Flyer program, for example, allows members to earn and redeem points with a wide range of partners, including banks, hotels, and car rental companies, providing more value to its customers.

Looking to get real-time tracking for your flight? Get the flight status here .

To learn more about including flights, destinations, aircraft fleet, head over to our Qantas Guide .

Find more help here for your journey through the airport

Complete guide to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program

Due to the vast distances of the Australian Outback and the continent's remote location, Qantas has a rich aviation heritage stretching back more than 100 years. Unfortunately, in the past, the airline hasn't released a large amount of premium award availability on its lucrative flights between North America and Australia.

However, Qantas is part of the Oneworld alliance , and its simply named Frequent Flyer program offers award travelers some great redemption opportunities, even if they have no plans to visit Australia.

The Qantas Frequent Flyer program is also interesting because you can transfer your American Express Membership Rewards points to it — along with Capital One miles , Citi ThankYou Rewards points and Marriott Bonvoy points , making them easy to earn.

Here is what you need to know about the Qantas Frequent Flyer program.

Qantas Frequent Flyer Partners

As a founding member of the Oneworld alliance, Qantas lets you earn and redeem Qantas points on all Oneworld airlines:

• Alaska Airlines
• American Airlines
• British Airways
• Cathay Pacific Airways
• Fiji Airways
• Japan Airlines
• Malaysia Airlines
• Qatar Airways
• Royal Air Maroc
• Royal Jordanian
• SriLankan Airlines

Related: The Oneworld alliance is growing with the addition of Oman Air

Qantas also has a unique and valuable list of non-alliance partner airlines, where you can earn and redeem Qantas points:

• Air New Zealand*
• Air Tahiti Nui*
• Air Vanuatu
• Bangkok Airways
• China Airlines*
• China Eastern
• Fiji Airways (in the process of joining the Oneworld alliance)
• Solomon Airlines*

Qantas Elite status

The Qantas Frequent Flyer program offers five status levels to reward and retain frequent flyers:

• Bronze : This is the entry-level status, offering the ability to earn and redeem points for flights and rewards.
• Silver (Oneworld Ruby) : Awarded after earning 300 status credits per membership year (250 to retain); members receive priority phone service, check-in, extra baggage allowance and preferred seating.
• Gold (Oneworld Sapphire) : Awarded after earning 700 status credits per membership year (600 to retain); members also enjoy premium security, Qantas Club and international partner business class lounge access
• Platinum (Oneworld Emerald) : Awarded after earning 1,400 status credits per membership year (1,200 to retain); members also receive priority waitlisting, guaranteed economy seat availability and first-class lounge access with Qantas and partner airlines
• Platinum One (Oneworld Emerald) : Awarded after earning 3,600 status credits per membership year with the same to retain (2,700 must have been from a Qantas flight number); members receive the highest upgrade priority, cleared up to seven days before departure, plus waived change fees, additional award seats in all classes and free extra legroom seats

Status credits are only earned from flying Qantas or their partner airlines.

A great perk of holding elite status in the Qantas Frequent Flyer program is access to American Airlines lounges on domestic flights when flying American, which the carrier does not provide to its AAdvantage elite members .

Related: 1st look: American Airlines, British Airways unveil 3 gorgeous lounges in JFK's Terminal 8

How to earn Qantas points

Earn Qantas points by flying

When you fly Qantas or their partner airlines listed above, you can earn Qantas points to redeem for flights, upgrades or other rewards provided you list your Qantas Frequent Flyer number on your booking. The amount of points you will earn will depend on the length of the flight and ticket fare class.

Here is the earning rate for American Airlines flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Sydney Airport (SYD), each way:

Transfer points from credit card programs

While there are no Qantas branded credit cards available in the U.S., you can transfer rewards from three programs with transferable currencies directly to Qantas Frequent Flyer:

• American Express Membership Rewards
• Capital One
• Citi ThankYou Rewards

Each of them has a transfer ratio of 1:1, so 10,000 points equal 10,000 Qantas points.

Other ways to earn

You can also earn Qantas points for car rental with Avis and Budget, as well as booking hotel stays via the Qantas website with the following accommodation partners:

• Swiss-Belhotel International

Related: How to choose a hotel loyalty program

How to redeem Qantas points

Qantas uses a distance-based award chart for its best-value but limited inventory "classic flight rewards" for travel on Qantas, Jetstar (Qantas' low-cost subsidiary, when combined with a Qantas flight), Fiji Airways, Air Vanuatu and American Airlines.

Related: A perfect hop across the Pacific: Qantas 787 business class

Qantas calculates the cost per journey (each way), not per flight, so booking a long-haul flight with a short-haul connecting flight may not need to pay any extra points for the second flight.

Other airline redemption partners, including most Oneworld airlines, also fall under a zoned one-way award chart, though redemption rates are slightly higher.

Things to know

You can search for classic reward flights on qantas.com . Qantas releases award seats to its own members 353 days in advance. It releases seats to partner programs like American Airlines Advantage 331 days in advance. If you are booking Qantas flights with Qantas points, you have a three-week head start over members of partner programs, which is a huge advantage because these seats book up extremely quickly.

Qantas also offers dynamically priced "any seat rewards," which are significantly more expensive than the amounts in the tables above and rarely offer great value.

Unfortunately, Qantas imposes fuel surcharges on redemptions, which can be substantial, especially on flights operated by Qantas and British Airways.

Related: Why are the fees, taxes and surcharges on Avios redemptions so high?

Sweet spots

Qantas business and first class to Australia

Qantas has well-regarded premium products and is especially known for its excellent airport lounges . Flights between North America and Australia fall within Zone 8, so you will need 108,400 points in business class each way or 162,800 points in first class, plus fees, taxes and surcharges. Remember, these seats book up very quickly as soon as they are released 353 days in advance, so book as soon as possible.

You can also book American Airlines flights to Australia using Qantas points for the same prices, though we think Qantas offers a better passenger experience than American does.

Related: Awesome Aussie: A review of Qantas first class on the A380, Melbourne to LAX

Short flights on American Airlines

With American Airlines now operating dynamic pricing on their flights booked with Advantage miles, consider using Qantas points instead, given the ease of transferring credit card points and the fixed award charts starting from just 8,000 Qantas points.

The Qantas award chart is priced by one-way journey, not by segment. So, if you were to take two connecting domestic flights on American Airlines with a total journey of 601 to 1,200 miles, it would cost just 12,000 Qantas points each way, which is a great deal.

Fly to Israel on El Al

El Al's own Matmid frequent flyer program is not very highly regarded, and the transfer ratio from the American Express Membership Rewards program makes this option a poor value. However, if you're looking for awards on Israel's flag carrier, Qantas is a great option.

For example, flights between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) or Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) are just under 5,800 miles long, meaning that you can book an economy class award for 38,000 points each way, or a business-class award for 90,000 points. From LAX, you're looking at spending 50,300 points each way in economy and 119,200 in business class.

Related: Then and now: 6 ways that El Al's most historic route has improved in just 2 years

Business class to Europe on American Airlines

Qantas charges just 57,000 Qantas points each way for travel between JFK and London's Heathrow Airport (LHR). Both American Airlines and British Airways operate this route multiple times each day. However, if you book American, you will not be subject to the huge fuel surcharges British Airways imposes on redemptions.

Domestic flights in Australia

If you're heading Down Under, Qantas has a comprehensive route network across Australia and New Zealand.

Distance-based awards are great for traveling around Australia, starting with one-way flights under 600 miles that will cost you just 8,000 Qantas points each way in economy or 18,400 in business class. Qantas operates several wide-body aircraft on domestic routes where you can enjoy their flagship fully flat business-class seats, especially on cross-country services between Perth Airport (PER) and the east coast of Australia.

Flights to Fiji

Fiji Airways is a Qantas partner in the program's more generous award chart. Flights from Los Angeles to Nadi International Airport (NAN) are just 5,519 miles in distance, which falls just within the award zone for 31,500 points each way in economy and 82,000 points in business each way. You should even be able to add on a short interisland flight for the same price.

Related: Fiji Airways shows off new A350

Round-the-world awards on Oneworld carriers

Qantas is one of a dwindling number of carriers still offering round-the-world awards . You can take flights that cover up to 35,000 miles in distance for 132,400 points in economy, 249,600 points in premium economy and 318,000 in business class.

While routing rules apply, they are quite generous. You can have up to five free stopovers, and you could book an itinerary that would see you visiting five different countries through five different airlines if you fancy trying out different Oneworld carriers.

Bottom Line

The Qantas Frequent Flyer program hasn't historically been the most valuable out there, especially given how little premium award availability they have released on long-haul services. However, there are some decent options for redeeming Qantas points.

Also, since the program is a handy transfer partner of Citi, Amex and Capital One, you may have a lot of these points at your disposal for your next award trip.

Staff travel information

Qantas has a category for 'commercial pax upgrades' that affects open seat availability by class. Pax can buy upgrades with their reward points. This can cause last-minute changes in the availability per class.

Qantas economy class commercial baggage allowances apply for staff travelers.

Remember that no single item of checked baggage may exceed 32kg (70lb) and all cabin baggage must fit under the seat in front of you or in an overhead locker, including musical instruments.

If you exceed the baggage allowance, you must pay any applicable excess baggage charges.

When travelling on Qantas services rebate travelers must maintain a high standard of dress and grooming. Generally speaking you need to be neat, clean and conservative.

Acceptable: Tidy denim jeans, near knee-length dress shorts, including demin are acceptable.

Not Acceptable: Tracksuits, jeans with cut off and frayed hems, designer holes etc. Singlets, bare midriffs, strapless tops/dresses, overly revealing clothing, rubber thongs/flip flops or bare feet. Any extremes of leisure wear, including sweatshirts or t-shirts with questionable graphics or language.

Flight listings are required by staff travelers for all Qantas and Jetstar flights. Flight listings must be made at least 24 hours prior to travel. Staff travelers without a listing may be refused travel.

Qantas flight listings:

• E-tickets purchased through myIDTravel and issued by Qantas (081 ticket stock) are automatically listed for travel at the time of booking.
• E-tickets purchased through myIDTravel and issued by your own airline (ticket stock is not 081) or e-tickets purchased directly with your airline require a listing to be made.
• Flight listings should be made via www.myidtravel.com/myidlisting/ .
• If you do not have your airline's log-in access to myIDTravel, please contact your staff travel office for the applicable user id and password.

Jetstar flight listings:

• Bookings purchased via myIDTravel and issued by Jetstar are automatically listed for travel at the time of booking.
• If your airline has an IET agreement for travel on Jetstar services operated by a QF code-share flight number and e-ticket has been closed to QF carrier-code, a listing must be made with Jetstar prior to airport check-in.
• Listings can be made by contacting Jetstar on the following numbers between

0800 - 1800 (Australian Eastern Standard Time):

Australia: 1300 042 394 or +61 3 8668 8277

Singapore: 800 852 9510

New Zealand: 0800 284 510

Other countries: +61 3 8668 8277

Check In Times

International: 90 - 120 minutes before scheduled departure time

Domestic: 45 - 60 minutes before scheduled departure time

Checking in at the Airport

Until further notice if you're travelling from Sydney International Terminal there are dedicated staff travel check-in counters located at counter B (north) 10 to 11.

• For international flights (QF001 - 399) from Terminal 1, check-in at Economy Class check-in desks.
• For domestic flights QF400 - 1599 from Terminal 3 check-in at the Check-In Kiosk and follow the instructions.
• For domestic flights QF1600 and above from Terminal 2, go to any Economy Class check-in desk or, if you have no bags to check-in, to the Customer Service desk.

Other Australian airports

Self Check-In Kiosks are the fast and easy way to check-in at the airport for domestic flights.

Where Self Check-In Kiosks are not available go to the Economy class check-in counters.

International Airports

Self Check-In Kiosks to be used where available. (Not available in all ports). Otherwise, Economy Class check-in desks.

Through check-in

Through check-in is not available to staff travelers with standby (space available/subload/ID) tickets. When planning your journey, make sure that you leave yourself enough time to land and check-in again at any intermediate point.

Refund requests for wholly unused e-tickets will be processed automatically. Partially used e-tickets will be processed manually and can take up to 8 weeks from receipt of refund request. E-tickets with an issue date exceeding one year are not eligible for refund.

Special meals

Special meals are not available to any rebate passenger, whether on duty or personal travel. If you have specific dietary needs or preferences which mean that you are unable or unwilling to eat or drink any of the items you are likely to be served on board, you must take your own provisions.

Seat requests

Seat requests are not permitted under any circumstances, whether on travelling on duty or personal travel. If the flight is open, the check-in agent may ask if you want an aisle or a window seat, but this will depend on the commercial load of the flight.

Even if you are assigned a specific seat at check-in, you may be moved, even when onboard the aircraft, if it is needed to accommodate commercial requirements.

Through check-in is not available to staff travelers on standby travel. When planning your journey, make sure that you leave yourself enough time to de-plane and check-in again at any intermediate point.

Children under 16 years cannot travel on any kind of staff travel rebate ticket unless accompanied by an adult travelling on the same type of rebate ticket.

Qantas doesn't generally impose embargoes, but staff travelers are reminded that flights in peak seasons are often full.

general phone number

+61 3 8668 8277

listing phone number

[email protected]

refunds email

Qantas flight loads.

Download the StaffTraveler app to get accurate, reliable seat availability for Qantas flights.

Non-rev tips

Flying on a stand-by ticket can be challenging. We have gathered invaluable insider information and tips to help you to get on board.

Submit your notes

Add your qantas staff travel notes to stafftraveler.

Please note that this form is  not intended to ask staff travel related questions .

Only use this form to add Qantas tips & notes to the StaffTraveler Airline Notes database.

Questions submitted through this form cannot be answered, as StaffTraveler is not associated with Qantas.

Please note that this form is not intended to submit staff travel related questions as these cannot be answered.

Making staff travel easy and stress-free, like it should be!

Help & Support

Frequent flyer lounge access with partner airlines, 18/04/2024 • knowledge, information.

Do I have access to lounge facilities when I am travelling with a Frequent Flyer partner airline?

As a Qantas Club member you can access partner airline lounges when you have onward travel that day on an eligible flight marketed and operated by the airline whose lounge you wish to use. View the lounge access eligibility page for more information. As an additional benefit, Platinum One, Platinum or Gold Qantas Frequent Flyers ( one world Emerald or Sapphire) are also eligible to access oneworld lounges  when travelling on an eligible flight marketed and operated by a one world Member Airline.

Other Useful Articles

• Purchasing a Qantas Lounge Pass
• Accessing the Qantas Club lounge
• How much does a Qantas Lounge Pass cost?
• Contacting the Qantas Frequent Flyer Service Centre
• Qantas Frequent Flyer airline partners

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Yahoo Finance

Qantas agrees payouts over 'ghost flights'.

Australia's biggest airline Qantas has agreed to pay a A$100m ($66.1m, £52.7m) penalty to settle a legal case accusing it of selling thousands of tickets for flights it had already cancelled.

Under the deal with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), the firm will also launch a plan worth up to A$20m to compensate affected passengers.

Qantas' Chief Executive, Vanessa Hudson, said the move represented an important step toward "restoring confidence in the national carrier."

The so-called "ghost flight" case, which was launched by the ACCC in August, claimed that in some instances Qantas had sold tickets for flights that had been cancelled for weeks.

The penalty agreement between Qantas and the ACCC will now have to be approved by the Federal Court of Australia.

Under the plan, customers who bought tickets for flights that had already been cancelled for two or more days will be entitled to compensation.

According to the airline, they will receive A$225 for domestic flights and A$450 for international tickets.

"When flying resumed after the Covid shutdown, we recognise Qantas let down customers" said Ms Hudson, who said she had made it a priority to restore the airline's reputation when she was appointed to the job last year.

She also said the company had revamped its processes and invested in technology to avoid a repeat of the problem.

"We are pleased to have secured these admissions by Qantas that it misled its customers, and its agreement that a very significant penalty is required", ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.

Qantas was facing a series of scandals and legal cases when Ms Hudson became the first woman to lead the airline.

Her predecessor, Alan Joyce, led the company through the 2008 financial crisis, the pandemic and record fuel prices.

However, by the time Mr Joyce stepped down in 2023, Qantas was facing growing public anger over expensive airfares, mass delays and cancellations, and its treatment of workers.

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Emirates and Qantas

Explore further with emirates and qantas.

Make the most of our partnership with Qantas—explore more of Australasia, Europe, and the Americas with easy connections and shared travel benefits.

Easy connections

The codeshare partnership between Qantas and Emirates allows customers to fly to destinations across the UK, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australasia.

It’s easy to plan your journey, connect your flights and explore more of the world with our expansive networks.

Plan your route (Opens a PDF in a new tab) 

Earn Skywards Miles on Qantas flights

Enjoy a world of rewards when you fly with Emirates and Qantas. As a Skywards member you can earn and spend Skywards Miles on eligible Qantas flights to Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

More lounges worldwide

As an Emirates Skywards Platinum or Gold member, or First Class or Business Class passenger, you can enjoy Emirates Lounges and Qantas Lounges across Australia, Europe, Asia, North Africa and the Middle East.

Emirates or Qantas First Class passengers, as well as Emirates Platinum members, can enjoy access to Qantas’ award-winning First Lounges in Sydney and Melbourne, and Emirates’ First Class and Business Class Lounges in Dubai International Terminal 3.

Remember to add your Emirates Skywards or Qantas frequent flyer number in Manage Your Booking to enjoy access to our lounge network.

Get complimentary stopovers in Dubai

If your journey involves a longer transit in Dubai between Emirates or Qantas flights, we’ll make sure you arrive rested and ready for the day. With Dubai Connect, eligible customers with longer layover times can enjoy free accommodation, meals, ground transportation, and visas.

Experience world-class dining on board

When you fly with Emirates and Qantas, you’ll enjoy two of the finest inflight dining experiences found anywhere in the world.

Savor regionally inspired menus by award-winning chefs. Taste the freshest locally sourced ingredients, and pair your meal with one of our award-winning wines.

• Emirates’ travel partners
• Emirates and Qantas partnership

Simple Flying

Qantas moves on bonza crisis recruiting crew & offering customers flights.

Discussions to try and save the beleaguered low-cost carrier continue.

• Qantas offering free flights to Bonza passengers on shared routes, ensuring safe travel after Bonza's sudden halt in operations.
• Virgin Australia also steps in, providing complimentary travel on select routes to help stranded Bonza passengers.
• Qantas offering support to Bonza staff with employment opportunities.

Qantas has moved swiftly to plug the hole left by Bonza's recent voluntary administration, offering employment opportunities for its staff and free travel arrangements for passengers left in the lurch. Virgin Australia has also offered to fly Bonza passengers for free on select routes.

Qantas steps in after Bonza administration

Australia's national carrier will help Bonza passengers impacted by the low-cost carrier's cessation of operations with free flights on routes it shares with the airline, or on another "close alternative route". Qantas and subsidiary Jetstar operate six routes that Bonza previously served:

• Melbourne – Gold Coast (Jetstar)
• Melbourne – Sunshine Coast (Jetstar)
• Avalon – Gold Coast (Jetstar)
• Gold Coast – Cairns (Jetstar)
• Melbourne – Mildura (QantasLink)
• Melbourne – Alice Springs (Qantas)

Travelers booked on a canceled Bonza flight will be able to fly on one of the above routes at no cost, depending on seat availability. Additionally, Bonza customers will be offered alternative travel arrangements close to their origin or arrival airports. For example, Brisbane Airport as an alternative to Gold Coast, or Melbourne as an alternative to Avalon. Affected passengers can contact Qantas or Jetstar to arrange travel.

Virgin Australia will also offer complimentary travel to affected passengers, although it shares fewer routes with Bonza - these two routes are Melbourne – Gold Coast and Melbourne – Sunshine Coast. However, like Qantas, it will also offer travel to and from nearby airports.

BREAKING: Bonza Flights Suspended - Is This The End For Bonza?

Bonza has advised passengers with reservations from now until May 2nd not to go to the airport as discussions about the airline's future continue. The carrier's CEO, Tim Jordan, has stated that the suspension of services is "temporary" as talks "regarding the ongoing viability of the business" are held.

Staff opportunities

Qantas added that it has set up a dedicated careers page for Bonza staff interested in joining it or subsidiary Jetstar, "particularly in specialized fields which are unique to aviation" - you can find this on the Jetstar careers website.

When an airline folds, it isn't just inconvenient for passengers booked on its services. All the airline's employees, from ground teams and flight planners to cabin crew and pilots, are suddenly out of work. It's common practice for other airlines to step in and recruit staff left in the lurch, as it's an effective way to bring readily trained and experienced professionals onto the team.

Discover more aviation news with Simple Flying.

Has your reservation with Bonza been impacted? Did you manage to arrange alternative travel? Let us know in the comment section.

• Join CHOICE

Bonza airline collapse: Will customers get their money back?

When a business goes bust, customers are usually the last to receive compensation, if they receive it at all..

Barely a year after Bonza airlines started flying regional routes not serviced by Qantas, Virgin or Rex, the startup carrier now appears to be grounded indefinitely – if not for good.

Bonza fell into voluntary administration in late April after the leases on its aircraft were cancelled by the US investment firm that had funded the venture.  

Tens of thousands of customers, many in mid-trip, were left with no flights and no refunds in sight. It was an especially hard landing for customers who were led to believe refunds were on the way. On 30 April, shortly after it became clear that Bonza was on the brink of collapse, affected customers received text messages from the airline saying they'd get their money back within 21 days. All they had to do was fill out an online form within 24 hours.

Tens of thousands of customers, many in mid-trip, were left with no flights and no refunds in sight

That hurried promise was quickly revoked. Administrator firm Hall Chadwick announced the next day that processing refunds for customers was not on the cards at the moment – and it may never be.

On 7 May, Hall Chadwick said the lessors of Bonza's aircraft, 777 Partners, will likely move the fleet to another airline. 

Customers considered 'unsecured creditors' 

Airline customers would be considered unsecured creditors by administrators trying to figure out how to salvage what's left of the business. They would generally be the last in line to get their money back. Secured creditors such as banks, on the other hand, get priority treatment. 

In the case of Bonza, the hierarchy of compensation is complicated given the number of creditors apparently owed money, which would include airports and ground staff, refueling services and, of course, Bonza employees, who are in a particularly tight spot. Of 323 employees, 302 were stood down in early May and told their April wages would not be paid. In total, Bonza owes money to about 58,000 creditors, including customers.

Secured creditors such as banks get priority treatment

One standard remedy for customers who have paid for services that were not delivered is a credit card chargeback, but it's an iffy prospect in the case of Bonza. Chargebacks depend on the card issuer getting the money back from the bank associated with the failed business. Given the extent of its debts, that could be a very tall order in the case of Bonza. 

Travel insurance is another option, but also probably a long shot. In our most recent review of travel insurance policies, relatively few insurers offered cover for insolvency of a travel provider. 

In a general response to customer enquiries, Hall Chadwick says, "The administrators confirm that the processing of refunds cannot occur at this time. Customers who have had flights cancelled should contact their financial institution or insurance providers to discuss the available options."

On 3 May, Hall Chadwick announced they "are still working with a number of key stakeholders to provide funding in order to resume flight operations and will continue to do so over the weekend".

The administrators confirm that the processing of refunds cannot occur at this time Bonza's administrators, Hall Chadwick

An initial meeting between the administrator and creditors has been scheduled for 10 May. Somewhere between four and six weeks after that, a second meeting will be held where creditors will vote on whether to execute something called a 'deed of company arrangement', which generally results in a better return to unsecured creditors than a liquidation. Alternatively, the creditors can vote to end, or liquidate, Bonza airlines for good. 

If refunds for customers are not forthcoming, millions of dollars in flight payments will go to Bonza's other creditors – an outcome that would be especially galling in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis.

If refunds for customers are not forthcoming, millions of dollars in flight payments will go to Bonza’s other creditors.

Key info for Bonza customers

• Bonza's fleet is currently grounded, and the lessors of its aircraft have indicated they'll likely move the fleet to another airline.
• The status of flights from 14 May onwards is unknown.
• Stranded passengers have been instructed to contact Qantas on 13 13 13, Virgin Australia on 13 67 89 and Jetstar on 13 15 38 to make alternative bookings.

Need for a compensation scheme

In our view, paying for a travel service and ending up with nothing is not an equitable outcome. In a 2021 CHOICE report on the travel industry that we submitted to the federal government, we recommended looking at the establishment of an industry-funded last-resort compensation fund. The pool of money would cover customers when a travel provider goes bust. 

Paying for a travel service and ending up with nothing is not an equitable outcome

Such a scheme came into effect for the financial services industry in April 2024. And up until 2014, the Travel Compensation Fund reimbursed customers of Australian-based travel agents that went bust. (The scheme was retired, in part, because it was determined that travellers could be reimbursed through credit card chargebacks and travel insurance. In our view, this is an ineffective remedy.) 

Compensating airline customers left out of pocket when an entire airline goes under, on the other hand, remains a recommendation that's now more relevant than ever. 

How to get in touch about refunds 

• Administrator Hall Chadwick has set up a hotline for Bonza customers that it says is available from 7am to 10pm – (03) 8678 1600. However, when CHOICE called the phone rang out. 
• Customers can also email Hall Chadwick at [email protected]
• Administrators should make a 'proof of debt' form available to customers seeking refunds, but the Bonza case hadn't reached that point at the time of publication. 

Stock images:  Getty, unless otherwise stated.

Join the conversation

To share your thoughts or ask a question, visit the CHOICE Community forum.

Qantas to repay customers $20 million over cancelled flights

Qantas will repay $20 million to customers over "misleading" ticket advertisements for flights that were already slated for cancellation in the post-COVID era, as well as failing to notify customers of cancellations in a timely manner.

The airline and the ACCC announced the agreement today, as well as a further agreement to pay a $100 million civil penalty, pending court approval.

The consumer watchdog launched Federal Court action against Qantas in August last year, alleging that, between May 21, 2021, and July 7, 2022, Qantas advertised tickets for more than 8000 cancelled flights.

READ MORE: Warning stubborn inflation could mean interest rates rise again

It was also alleged that, for more than 10,000 flights scheduled to depart in May to July 2022, Qantas did not promptly notify existing ticketholders that their flights had been cancelled.

"Today represents another important step forward as we work towards restoring confidence in the national carrier," Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said.

"When flying resumed after the COVID shutdown, we recognise Qantas let down customers and fell short of our own standards."

READ MORE: Fan suffers 'catastrophic spinal injury' after lead singer of Aussie band jumps into crowd 

ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said the airline's conduct had been "egregious and unacceptable".

Qantas will repay customers who were affected through to the ending of August 2023, "when steps were taken to ensure that processing of cancellation decisions occurred promptly".

More than 86,000 customers who made a booking on a flight two or more days after the cancellation decision will be compensated.

READ MORE: Search underway after person goes overboard on cruise ship off Sydney

Payments will range from $225 for domestic or trans-Tasman flights, to $450 for other international flights.

This is on top of any refund or alternative flight they might have been offered already.

Payments will be made through an online portal run by Deloitte, with affected customers to be emailed about how to make a claim from June.

More information can be found online .

"The return to travelling was already stressful for many and we did not deliver enough support for customers and did not have the technology and systems in place to support our people," Hudson said.

"We have since updated our processes and are investing in new technology across the Qantas Group to ensure this doesn't happen again."

The ACCC is no longer proceeding with its claims against Qantas about wrongful acceptance of payment, including any allegation that Qantas received payment for a service it did not, and had no intention of, providing.

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Australia’s Qantas to pay $79m over ‘ghost flights’ furore

Competition watchdog says national carrier’s advertising of cancelled flights was ‘egregious and unacceptable’.

​​Australia’s flagship airline Qantas has agreed to pay $120 million Australian dollars ($79m) to settle a lawsuit over the sale of tickets for already cancelled flights.

The airline will pay a fine of 100 million Australian dollars ($66m) and provide compensation of 20 million Australian dollars ($13m) to more than 86,000 customers after advertising seats for thousands of “ghost flights” in 2021 and 2022.

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“Qantas’ conduct was egregious and unacceptable. Many consumers will have made holiday, business and travel plans after booking on a phantom flight that had been cancelled,” said Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Chairperson Gina Cass-Gottlieb in a statement on Monday.

“Importantly, it demonstrates that we take action to ensure that companies operating in Australia communicate clearly, accurately and honestly with their customers at all times,” Cass-Gottlieb added.

Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said the settlement, which is subject to court approval, was an “important step forward as we work towards restoring confidence in the national carrier.”

“When flying resumed after the COVID shutdown, we recognise Qantas let down customers and fell short of our own standards. We know many of our customers were affected by our failure to provide cancellation notifications in a timely manner and we are sincerely sorry,” Hudson said.

“The return to travelling was already stressful for many and we did not deliver enough support for customers and did not have the technology and systems in place to support our people.”

Qantas, which reported an annual profit of $1.1bn last year, has faced a barrage of controversies in recent years over rising ticket prices, claims of poor service standards, and the firing of 1,700 ground staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In September, then-CEO Alan Joyce brought forward his retirement by two months after 15 years in the top job amid widespread criticism of the airline.

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The Bonza fiasco shows action must be taken on Qantas’ market monopoly

If we're cracking down on market monopolies, our next target must be Qantas, which holds undue power in the aviation sector.

Michael Sainsbury

May 01, 2024

The financial administration of Bonza, Australia’s latest entrant into the aviation industry, whose flights have been grounded and aircraft repossessed, should sharply focus minds in Canberra to take action on a market dominated by “too big to fail” Qantas.

It’s a huge loss for Australian consumers, and Bonza staff, and yet another return to the bad, old days, with Qantas eyeing 70% of the domestic market. Yet it’s far from the first collapse of an aviation wannabe, following Compass (1990-91 and 1992-93); Ansett (1936-2002); Impulse (1992-2004); Ozjet (2005-06); Air Australia (2011-12); and Tigerair Australia (2007-20). 

The government continues to debate how to pull into line the two major supermarkets, Coles and Woolworths, but there are four viable players in that sector. Woolworths’ market share is 33%, Coles’ is at 27%, Aldi’s is at 12% and Metcash’s (IGA) is at 7%. Yet market concentration and power are far greater in the domestic airline sector, with Qantas Group dominating with a 61.8% market share and Virgin with 31.2%  — a combined 93% of the market at least. Former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce liked to talk up his ambition to get to 70% , and there is no sign his successor Vanessa Hudson has plans to change that strategy.  

In a brief statement yesterday, Bonza founder and CEO Tim Jordan claimed the move was “temporary” and that discussions were underway regarding the “ongoing viability of the business”. But it’s hard to run an airline without planes. Meanwhile, corporate undertaker Hall Chadwick has been appointed .

Bonza had been taking a novel approach to the market, focusing on regional travel and using the Sunshine Coast as its main base, as well as the Gold Coast and Melbourne. It was competing for lower-end leisure dollars when interest rates and inflation were squeezing potential customers.

At its peak this past summer, the airline flew 35 routes and has carried 750,000 passengers since its first flight, using Boeing 737 aircraft rather than the more economical turboprops. To put that in perspective, 40 million passengers pass through Sydney Airport each year. It has not helped that its owner, US-based 777 Partners — which also owns soccer clubs (it’s currently trying to buy Everton) — is in all sorts of trouble , having been accused of breaching contracts, failing to pay debts and acting fraudulently.

But lack of access to the expensive and choc-a-bloc Sydney Airport also proved problematic, said industry insiders who spoke to Crikey . Each airport can charge its own landing fees and manage its take-off and landing slots, another failure of privatisation.

“This is a very large island. Aviation is critical infrastructure and we’ve got an aviation industry that’s broken,” Transport Workers’ Union secretary Michael Kaine said. And he is right: the sector is rife with cancellations and delays , with March statistics showing lower on-time arrivals and higher cancellations than long-term averages. Qantas’ fleet is stretched and ageing, and there is a shortage of pilots and engineers .

There is no shortage of initiatives the Albanese government can take that previous governments of both stripes have balked at. These include start-up subsidies and initiatives, industry-specific consumer protections and guarantees, an overhaul of landing slot allocation at major airports, better regulation of private airports, a refocus on safety after a string of disturbing incidents, and an obligation for training to future-proof the sector.

There was finally some action by Transport Minister Catherine King in February to shake up Sydney’s slot allocation for the first time in 27 years, but it came too late for Bonza. Just this week, the US passed legislation giving automatic refunds for cancellations and delays to airline passengers, reflecting exciting EU protections. However, King still drags her feet.

In terms of subsidised industry, apparently long-dated, risky investments such as quantum computing are better for Australians than an airline industry that delivers for consumers. If Bonza’s backers were not in such strife, a government-backed rescue should be on the table, given it would be small change compared to Qantas’ unrecoverable $2.7 billion COVID-era subsidies.

The failure of Virgin to overcome its financial hurdles and re-float this year underscores the fact that Qantas’ market dominance makes it an effective monopolist. The fact that Australian tarmacs are strewn with ghosts of failed competitors since Qantas was privatised shows how uncompetitive the market is and that much stronger measures are needed. 

“The two airlines within the Qantas Group — Qantas and Jetstar — are not considered to be in competition with each other,” the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s latest report on the sector said.

Canberra needs to wield the stick in an inflation-prone sector with one dominant player, just as it has been urged to give regulators divestment power to break up supermarkets — and should involve a threat to force Qantas to divest from Jetstar. The low-cost carrier was created for exactly this: to see off any low-cost competitors in a sector where barriers to entry are extremely high due to the capital investment needed.

This is redoubled by Qantas being able to wield its balance sheet to give pilots and engineers better security and better pay. Qantas has 35% of the domestic market and Jetstar 27% , so a break-up would leave three players of similar size and more room for market minnow Rex (5.1%) to breathe as Qantas and Jetstar were forced to compete.

The demise of Bonza is just the latest sign that it’s time for the Albanese government, and Catherine King in particular, to act, proving they have not been captured by Qantas lobbying, spin and duchessing — and the controversial Chairman’s Lounge. It’s time to back consumers, not big air.

About the Author

South-East Asia Correspondent @sainsburychina

Michael Sainsbury is a journalist based in Asia with more than 20 years' experience writing about business, business politics and human rights across Australia and the Asia-Pacific.

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If Bonza’s backers were not in such strife, a government-backed rescue should be on the table, given it would be small change compared to Qantas’ unrecoverable $2.7 billion COVID-era subsidies.

Just as the government has spent years backing out of transport and public ownership, here’s a great chance to even up the score and put some balance back into the airlines [Qantas would hate it] by replacing the current US group as backers of Bonza.

Bonza was a boom to many country towns. Its flights were appreciated and competitively priced, plus it was possible to fly from A to B without a stopover in Sydney or Brisbane. A flight from Port Macquarie to Melbourne took 1.5 hrs which was just brilliant compared to the alternatives.

Somehow, sometime we have to take steps to back out of our neo-Labor jam and have the government take charge and responsibility for things that are of key public interest. Hello Labor!

Do you mean Neo-Lib?

No, I think Neo-Lab is the new black.

“ Bonza was a boom to many country towns. Its flights were appreciated and competitively priced, plus it was possible to fly from A to B without a stopover in Sydney or Brisbane. A flight from Port Macquarie to Melbourne took 1.5 hrs which was just brilliant compared to the alternatives.” Yes, and ever wondered why it was a boom to country towns and why you could go from Port Macquarie to Melbourne in 1.5 hours? Because the routes were unprofitable. They knew it. This has happened before. Compass anyone. Impulse (no pulse) anyone. Ansett, our twin disaster to accompany 9/11 in the US. Competition does not work in Australian aviation with a second or even a 3rd Australian airline company. Yet we get people trying it on and bogans falling for the same 3-card trick every time. The managers are trying their luck while receiving a salary and they will exit clear and clean while their staff will be left to look for another job, another round of weeks and months looking for jobs that pay as much. This is a cruel hoax on them as much as it is on the “stranded” passengers. Drive you dimwits. Catch a train you lazy bastards. I aim never to fly again within my own country.

Yes, and ever wondered why it was a boom to country towns and why you could go from Port Macquarie to Melbourne in 1.5 hours? Because the routes were unprofitable. They knew it.

I’m not convinced that was the case but if there’s some figures around to prove it I’m happy to agree. I did hear an airline type expert on the ABC maintaining that their business model was good. Certainly they seemed to be filling their flights on the route I mentioned. The problem appears to have been with the organization they hired [do you hire them?] their planes from.

Trains? What trains? The interstate trains are abysmal and as an example, the Sydney to Brisbane run frequently resorts to transferring people onto buses.

Drive? If the whole planeload chose that option it would no doubt use even more fuel.

Ride a pushbike? Hard to carry the luggage.

And Tasmanians are expected to drive or catch a train across Bass Strait?

The government has wasted a great deal of political capital in allying themselves to this dodgy company on an I’ll-scratch-your-back-if-you-scratch-mine basis; that is that a national airline will come to the aid of the country in time of emergency. However, it has been a one way scratch as evidenced by Qantas leaving thousands of Australians stranded overseas during the covid crisis while all the time promising they’d help. Meanwhile they pocketed $2.7bn in public subsidies and sacked 6,000 of their workforce including illegally sacking 1,800 Australian baggage handlers. Australians now hate this airline. Catherine King must be seen to be doing something before the next election to reign in this out of control behemoth in order to distance her government from the stench emanating from this toxic brand, or pay the consequences at the ballot box.

From what I’ve read and heard Bonza was well managed. From personal experience I can say they were great to fly, the staff were genuinely enthusiastic and the business filled a vital gap in the market. The problem appears to have been, that there was a change of ownership for the actual planes and the terms offered by the new owners weren’t going to work for Bonza.

So the Bonza business didn’t do their homework, didn’t secure their future, didn’t secure their assets, didn’t have a backup plan. I would never fly with an airline with a slang adjective. Now it should be called something else nonsensical and unprintable. High Speed Rail or a VFT between Melbourne and Sydney and eventually on to Brisbane would render most airlines, including QANTAS redundant. This seems to be the only way to compete with QANTAS. On the ground by high speed rail. Nothing in the air is going to catch it.

And follow EU like competition directives and regulation that would require Qantas being broken up, landing slots reallocated etc.;

However, our corporate masters who wedge both ALP & LNP via media and are catered to, prefer running corrupt nativist authoritarian rackets without competition, but with socialist state support……

You never cease to amaze me. Where do you get the “nativist” to fit in? There’s nothing nativist about it. QANTAS is a privatised corporation traded on the share market. It was run by a gay Irishman for years. The corporate sector is not nativist. Far from it. Much of it is owned by overseas parent companies like Virgin. Same with the Big 4 banks, the Big 4 consulting companies, the Big 2 grocery retailer and the Big 2, until recently, department stores. Anyone with money in the world can buy shares in them. As for socialist state support what can this mean? Scomo gave much support through Jobkeeper but I would hardly call him socialist. At least you didn’t give those over the age of 55 a serve this time.

That’s unfortunate and reflects the limited buying power of a small fledgling airline. That it wouldn’t happen to Qantas is further reason that we need healthy competition in the industry.

Good point and arguments. I think there is a better chance for a rich man entering the kingdom of heaven than there is for Catherine King to get off her arse and do something constructive in this field.

Yes I agree the minister is not up to the job, but I suspect she is also being guided on this from above. It’s bad policy that needs addressing but so far nothing, zero, zilch.

She’s thoroughly captured by the fossil fuel/ carbon pollution industry. She does what she’s told.

I’m sure if Qantas was in a similar financial position they would have been propped up by the government. It’s a real shame Bonza is ending. They were offering a real alternative, especially for regional flights, with some routes being very popular.

BTW, I see Virgin is really sticking it to Qantas by offering free flights to those stranded by the Bonza collapse. It would be even better if they kept some of those popular Bonza regional routes going.

Qantas has been “propped up by the government” for decades. The latest during Covid as well as refusing to let Qatar airlines operate here.

My household will miss them. My mother could actually travel to see our family from Newcastle to Sunshine Coast airport on Bonza because she could handle the short drive from there to Gympie. Her pain levels don’t allow the drive from Brisbane to Gympie. Trains are out of the question for the same reason.

Bonza were good to fly with, too.

Yes. Action must be taken on QANTAS’s market monopoly. Nationalise the damn thing. It should never have been privatised in the first place.

And the absurdity of privatized airports should also be admitted to and reversed. As well as privatized train lines to take you (only a couple of stops for triple the price!) to get to them.

“If we’re cracking down on market monopolies”. But we’re not. You’ve been misinformed. The very fact that it is being talked about means we’re not.

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Bonza cancels flights across Australia, enters voluntary administration, leaving passengers stranded

Budget airline Bonza entered voluntary administration on Tuesday after cancelling all flights that morning, leaving passengers stranded.

Look back on how the day's news and updates unfolded.

• 8:59 AM 8:59 AM Tue 30 Apr 2024 at 8:59am Government will not bail out Bonza 'right at this minute'
• 8:33 AM 8:33 AM Tue 30 Apr 2024 at 8:33am Problem appears to be with US-backer 777 Partners, expert says
• 7:53 AM 7:53 AM Tue 30 Apr 2024 at 7:53am Flights grounded until Thursday

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Live updates

Hotline set up for bonza customers.

By Nicholas McElroy

The Transport Department has established a hotline for stranded passengers.

That number is   1800 069 244   and the line will be operating until 10pm tonight, the department says.

Customers can also call Qantas , Jetstar or Virgin 's customer service lines for assistance.

Transport Minister Catherine King says she expects Bonza to keep customers informed of what to do and that Bonza's board is currently meeting at the moment.

That's all for today

By Basel Hindeleh

We will be ending our live coverage here, but this is what you need to know.

The administrators, Hall Chadwick, have told customers not to go to the airport as the fleet will be grounded up to and including Thursday May 2 .

If you are affected by the flight cancellations you can call the hotline set up by the Transport Departement on 1800 069 244 which will stay open until 10pm tonight.

You can also call the hotline established by the administrators on 03 8678 1600   for any queries about the administration process and continued operations.

Customers can also call Qantas, Jetstar or Virgin's customer service lines for assistance.

The administrator will continue investigate the company's future over the next few days and will provide regular updates. It said it is conscious of the impact this has on airport and airline staff.

You can catch up on today's events by reading the live updates below or by reading these articles.

• Who owns Bonza airlines? And why is the company in trouble?
• Analysis: Bonza doomed to failure from the start, just like so many Australian airlines before it
• Passengers stranded, Bonza in administration in 'shattering news' for sector

Thank you for joining us.

Government will not bail out Bonza 'right at this minute'

Federal Transport Catherine King told ABC radio Melbourne Drive it is entirely up to the administrators whether Bonza's four planes were to continue to operate, but she speculates it will be unlikely.

She said the role for government is "to ensure that we have a strong aviation sector within Australia ... [but] can we bail out Bonza right at this minute? That is not something that the government has before us." "We'll talk to the administrators, but I would say that, you know, it is from time to time these smaller players do come into the market, and it is a challenging market. Aviation's hard, and aviation in a small market, Australia is certainly very difficult."

Problem appears to be with US-backer 777 Partners, expert says

Travel writer Geoffrey Thomas told ABC News Channel while it is not clear why this is happening the problem appears to be with Bonza's US-based backers 777 Partners.

"We know that the ownership of the four aircraft that Bonza has in Australia was changed and the new owner of those leases took possession of the aircraft this morning," Mr Thomas said.

He said once the administrators conduct their investigation it will become clear what had gone wrong, but the "finances seem to be awry."

He said Bonza's business model has worked elsewhere in the world and seemed to be going fine in Australia with the service being a favourite for regional travel with, but the 777 appear to not have been happy with the company's model or finances.

While other airlines have manged to survive administration, he said, Bonza is a bit different as it has had several issues in recent times and now faces the catalyst of losing public confidence making it harder to continue under the same branding.

You can listen to the full interview with Mr Thomas here.

Bonza's future is up to the administrators, transport minister says

The Federal Minister for Transport, Catherine King, says despite knowing since last week of issues with Bonza's finances and communicating with them since, the government only became aware of the situation at hand this morning when flights were cancelled.

Ms King said Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin immediately stepped forward to say they will bring stranded passengers home after speaking to them this morning.

She said the focus is on the passengers, of which there are many due to being at the tail-end of school holidays, but has not commented on whether the government will bail the company out.

She said the matter is now with the administrators which will decide whether the company can continue or if it will have to shutdown with the passengers with cancelled tickets joining a line of creditors.

Listen to the full interview with Ms King on RN Drive.

Flights grounded until Thursday

Accounting firm Hall Chadwick, which has taken administration of Bonza , has detailed the next steps for the company.

It says "the grounding of the fleet is currently up to and including Thursday 2 May 2024".

It advises customers not to travel to airports even if they have bookings.

At least 150 staff affected

By Bianca Clare

The ABC is still waiting on an exact breakdown of staff numbers who will be affected, but it understands there are roughly 150 Bonza workers between the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne.

There will now also be uncertainty for other workers at the Sunshine Coast airport, including for ground crew with Oceania or security with Trident Security or Certis Security, given there will be a smaller number of flights going through the Sunshine Coast.

WATCH: Passengers react to news of Bonza's flight cancellations

By Lara Smit

Passengers react this morning to news of Bonza flight cancellations at Sunshine Coast, headquarters of Bonza Aviation, which has since gone into administration.

Melbourne's Avalon Airport advises passengers to find staff members in purple at the Bonza check-in area

Avalon Airport in Melbourne has advised passengers to head to the Bonza check-in area in the Domestic Terminal and look for team members in purple and to keep an eye on the Bonza website.

Last week Bonza denied reports of the airline seeking financial advice as flight reductions were confirmed

About a week ago Bonza confirmed flights on some routes would decrease, but denied reports suggesting it might have been in financial trouble.

The airline was in international headlines after reports in the Australian Financial Review suggested KordaMentha was being brought in by one of Bonza's financiers to provide advice.

KordaMentha declined to comment, saying they were under a strict non-disclosure agreement as with all their clients.

A spokeswoman for Bonza then said the reporting was "incorrect".

"KordaMentha has not been engaged by Bonza," she said. "They haven't visited Bonza and don't have access to Bonza in any way."

Read the full story here:

From the comments: 'We will miss BONZA'

Top service, I flew from Albury to Maroochydore return , I believe it was one of their well patronised routes. We will miss BONZA a no fuss Airline. - Denise

ABC reporter Greg Ryan captured this sunset picture from the last Bonza flight from Maroochydore to Albury late yesterday.

ANALYSIS: Bonza was doomed to failure from the start

Bonza was doomed to failure from the start, just like so many Australian airlines before it, writes Ian Verrender.

A quick look through Wikipedia reveals almost 300 defunct Australian airlines since we took to the skies last century.

Many were tiny regional operators, a few were amalgamated into bigger regional operators such as Rex — which has hung in there with thrifty management from its Singaporean owners — and a handful had grander ambitions that blew up in spectacular style.

Bonza, the latest upstart to come a cropper in one of the world's most cutthroat aviation markets, never really stood a chance.

It hit turbulence early on, even in the ideas stage as the pandemic wreaked havoc with airlines globally and international travel ground to a halt.

Read the full analysis by Ian Verrender here:

From the comments: Readers thinking of the staff at Bonza who could be left without jobs

While I do feel bad for the people inconvenienced by this, I feel much worse for the staff at Bonza. Some have probably turned up for work and found out that they soon might not have a job anymore, and for that I wish them all the best. - Nick

What does voluntary administration mean?

Documentation filed to ASIC shows that Bonza has entered voluntary administration.

If you're wondering what voluntary administration means precisely, my colleague Dannielle Maguire wrote an article when dessert maker Sara Lee went through the same process. Here's how she explains it:

Voluntary administration is an option for a company that's in financial trouble and can't repay its debts, the Fair Work Ombudsman explains.

It basically means a qualified manager from outside the business — usually involving a few experts from a consulting firm — is brought in to sort things out.

They look into the company's affairs and recommend whether it should:

• enter into a deed of company arrangement, which either aims to continue operations or provide a better return for creditors than an immediate winding up of the company
• go into liquidation, which is when the business is closed and assets sold off to pay its debts, or
• be returned to the directors

Bonza has entered voluntary administration

The notice was filed to   Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) earlier today.

It states that Richard Albarran, Kathleen Vouris, Brent Kijurina and Cameron Shaw from accounting firm Hall Chadwick have been appointed as external administrators.

This means there is an opportunity for the director or a third party to rescue Bonza, or for the company to be restructured.

The airline is yet to provide an update beyond a statement this morning apologising to customers.

It said " we're working as quickly as possible to determine a way forward that ensures there is ongoing competition in the Australian domestic aviation market."

Queensland's tourism minister waiting on details from airline

Queensland's Tourism Minister Michael Healy says the reports about the airline's commercial viability are a concern.

"Our immediate concerns are with stranded passengers and ticket holders who are impacted by the current situation with Bonza," he says.

"We recognise how important healthy competition in the aviation sector is to not just tourism, but the broader economy.

"We await further details from the business."

Unclear whether flights scheduled from Sunshine Coast airport will go ahead

Reporting by Kirra Grimes

Sunshine Coast airport has 33 Bonza departing flights and 33 incoming flights scheduled for the next seven days.

Flights scheduled for tomorrow include departures to Townsville, Cairns, Albury, Melbourne, and Darwin; and arrivals from Cairns, Townsville, Albury, and Melbourne.

Some customers are reporting that they were still able to check in for tomorrow's Sunshine Coast to Townsville flight.

The airport's website lists these flights as 'on time' or 'scheduled'.

But a spokesperson said they were yet to hear from Bonza as to whether those flights were going ahead.

"We haven't received any advice from Bonza," Ethan Clissold said. "Normally, we'd have a bit of back and forth about those sorts of things (flight cancellations), but we don't have an update at this stage."

Gold Coast airport's website advises people to contact Bonza directly for information on upcoming flights.

From the comments: 'It will be a shame if this is the end of such a great service'

I've flown with Bonza more than 26 times and couldn't fault them. They have made it possible for me to study in Melbourne and meet my parental obligations in regional Queensland, in a convenient and cost-effective way. It will be a shame if this is the end of such a great service. I always felt that places like Toowoomba weren't doing enough to leverage the opportunity that Bonza provided them, I encouraged friends to use Bonza to spend a weekend in the regions, but it felt like perhaps the local Chambers and tourism boards missed an opportunity there. I enjoyed very stable service from Bonza, We had a few flights cancelled early on, but that was due to schedule changes or bird strikes, and the services were rescheduled quickly and efficiently with consultation. I know some people have horror stories, but the current issues excluded, inflexibility is something to be expected on budget airlines, its the price you pay for the price you pay. - David

David has had very positive experiences flying more than 26 times with Bonza.

He says inflexibility is something to be expected on budget airlines: "It's the price you pay for the price you pay."

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Expert says Bonza's American owner can't keep bank-rolling the airline

Some aviation experts believe the budget airline Bonza will struggle to remain in service.

Impacted travellers have been told they'll get a full refund, while Qantas and Virgin have stepped in to help stranded passengers.

International aviation consultant Neil Hansford says Bonza's American owner can't keep bank-rolling the airline.

" I didn't see them lasting until Christmas and I think they have gone on past Christmas but the situation they have got is that their owners, their financiers, 777 Partners have got their own problems in the United States," he says.

IN PICTURES: Bonza airplanes remain grounded