This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
News
Qantas confirms end of in-flight duty free
Australian airline Qantas has confirmed that it will cease duty free sales on all its flights from January 2018.
The Australian airline will cease its in-flight duty free service in the new year
The service is currently provided by Dubai-based Alpha Flight Group, part of DNATA, and offers Qantas passengers a 72-page catalogue featuring a selection of spirits, wine, watches and other travel retail exclusives.
After offering the service for the last 13 years, the Dubai-based company will no longer operate any duty free sales on Qantas flights.
Alpha Flight Services marketing and duty free general manager Pat Osborne told DFNI Online: “I wouldn’t say it was a shock, but more of a surprise as we have held the concession since April/May 2004. The way aircrafts are configured these days, they are getting less galley space in order to put more food and water on and things like that.”
The airline’s decision to cease its in flight duty free offering is thought to be as a result of changing shopping trends in Australia.
The rise in popularity of online shopping and the recent launch of Amazon in the country has lead to declining in-flight duty free sales on Qantas flights.
The final Qantas flights to offer the service will depart on 31 December, with duty free sales ceasing in the new year.