Qantas Plans to Ban Unvaccinated Travelers on International Flights

Qantas will ban unvaccinated passengers from international flights when borders reopen. Qantas is expects this to happen sometime in December.

“Qantas will have a policy that internationally we’ll only be carrying vaccinated passengers,” CEO Alan Joyce said, according to Traveller. The company said documented medical exemptions will be allowed, but said such a situation is “expected to be very rare.”

The company is planning to introduce the new policy by Christmas, according to Joyce. It is not clear if Qantas will have the same requirement for passengers on domestic flights.

Qantas also launched a program  offering fully-vaccinated members of the airline’s frequent flyer program the choice of 1000 frequent flyer points, 15 status credits or a $20 flight discount voucher. 300,000 people have already claimed their reward.

The airline announced last month it would make vaccinations mandatory for 22,000 employees. Frontline employees – including cabin crew, pilots and airport workers – will need to be fully vaccinated by 15 November 2021 and the remainder of employees by 31 March 2022. There will be exemptions for those who are unable for documented medical reasons to be vaccinated, which is expected to be very rare.