Qantas Group is optimistic for a return to commercial international flights from December to destinations on a similar path to Australia’s vaccination threshold.

Australia’s national carrier, Qantas, is preparing for its second ultra-long-haul research flight, as part of scientific studies into minimising jetlag for passengers and improving crew wellbeing.

Qantas is set to test the viability of proposed ultra-long-haul flights (approximately 19 hours) between Sydney and London and New York on passenger and crew health and wellbeing before the year’s end.

The new research is being conducted as Qantas prepares to conquer the final frontier of global commercial air travel, with world first non-stop flights from the east coast of Australia to New York and London to start from 2022.