Qantas, a member of the Oneworld alliance, has announced the return of seasonal flights from Sydney to Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport, marking a significant milestone for the airline. This new route will become Qantas’ 100th destination globally, offering Australian travelers the only nonstop connection between the two cities.
“We are thrilled to reintroduce Sapporo to our network and provide a more convenient travel experience for Australian skiers and snow enthusiasts,” said Cam Wallace, Qantas International CEO. “Sapporo is renowned for its world-class ski resorts, and this direct service will significantly reduce travel time compared to existing options with layovers.”
The seasonal service will operate three times a week from December 15, 2025, to March 28, 2026, utilizing Airbus A330-200 aircraft. These aircraft feature 27 business class suites with direct aisle access and lie-flat beds, along with 228 economy seats.
Departing Sydney in the morning and arriving in Sapporo in the early evening, the new route will allow travelers to maximize their time in Hokkaido. Skiers can enjoy a full day on the slopes and still depart Sapporo in the evening, arriving back in Sydney the following day.
This new route complements Qantas’ existing network in Japan, which includes double daily flights from Sydney to Tokyo Haneda, daily services from Melbourne and Brisbane to Tokyo Narita, and several routes operated by Jetstar.
The Qantas Group now offers over 1.5 million seats annually between Australia and Japan across eight routes.
Qantas last served Sapporo in early 2020. The airline is confident that this new direct connection will further strengthen the strong travel demand between Australia and Japan.
