Austrian Airlines vs Qantas: Founders, CEOs and History

Company facts

Founders

CEOs and their tenures

Timeline: Austrian Airlines and Qantas side by side

1. 1920Qantas

   Founding of QANTAS in Winton

   Paul McGinness, Hudson Fysh, and Fergus McMaster incorporate Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited in Winton with £6,000 in capital.

2. 1922Qantas

   Inaugural Scheduled Airmail Service

   Hudson Fysh flies the first scheduled commercial airmail and passenger route between Charleville and Cloncurry in an Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8.

3. 1934Qantas

   Formation of Qantas Empire Airways

   Qantas and Britain's Imperial Airways create Qantas Empire Airways (QEA) to operate the Singapore-to-Brisbane leg of the Kangaroo Route.

4. 1944Qantas

   Historic Double Sunrise Flights

   Qantas operates top-secret non-stop wartime flights between Perth and Ceylon (Sri Lanka) flying 27 to 32 hours under radio silence.

5. 1947Qantas

   Nationalization by Commonwealth Government

   The Australian Commonwealth government purchases all shares of Qantas Empire Airways to establish an international flag carrier.

6. 1957Austrian Airlines

   Austrian Airlines Formed in Vienna

   Air Austria and Austrian New Airways merge on September 30, 1957 to form the national flag carrier.

7. 1958Austrian Airlines

   Inaugural Commercial Flight to London

   Operates inaugural scheduled flight from Vienna to London via Frankfurt in a Vickers Viscount 779.

8. 1959Qantas

   Entering the Jet Age with Boeing 707

   Qantas becomes the first non-US carrier to operate the Boeing 707 jetliner, cutting Kangaroo Route travel times dramatically.

9. 1963Austrian Airlines

   Entry into Jet Age with Sud Caravelle

   Takes delivery of its first jet airliner, the French Sud Aviation Caravelle VI-R.

10. 1969Austrian Airlines

    First Transatlantic Route to New York

    Launches scheduled transatlantic service connecting Vienna to New York via Brussels.

11. 1971Qantas

    Introduction of the Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet

    Qantas takes delivery of its first Boeing 747-200, eventually becoming the only airline in the world to fly an all-747 long-haul fleet.

12. 1979Qantas

    Invention of Commercial Business Class

    Qantas introduces the world's first dedicated Business Class cabin, establishing a new global standard in international commercial aviation.

13. 1988Austrian Airlines

    Initial Public Offering on Vienna Stock Exchange

    Lists shares publicly on the Vienna Stock Exchange to finance Douglas MD-80 and Airbus fleet expansion.

14. 1992Qantas

    Merger with Australian Airlines

    Qantas acquires domestic state carrier Australian Airlines for A$400 million, laying the groundwork for full public privatization.

15. 1995Qantas

    ASX Flotation and Full Privatization

    The Australian Government floats Qantas Airways Limited on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), completing full privatization.

16. 1999Qantas

    Co-Founding of oneworld Alliance

    Qantas co-founds the oneworld global airline alliance alongside American Airlines, British Airways, Canadian Airlines, and Cathay Pacific.

17. 2000Austrian Airlines

    Joining the Star Alliance Network

    Officially joins Star Alliance, linking Austrian Airlines into the world's largest airline network.

18. 2004Qantas

    Launch of Low-Cost Carrier Jetstar

    Qantas launches Jetstar Airways to combat discount carriers and implement an integrated dual-brand domestic aviation strategy.

19. 2007Austrian Airlines

    Partnership with Gourmet Caterer DO & CO

    Partners with luxury caterer DO & CO, establishing flying chefs and Viennese coffee house service.

20. 2009Austrian Airlines

    Acquisition by Deutsche Lufthansa AG

    Lufthansa Group acquires Austrian Airlines for €166M, establishing Vienna as the group's East-West hub.

21. 2012Austrian Airlines

    Operational Restructuring to Tyrolean Airways

    Temporarily transfers flight operations to subsidiary Tyrolean Airways to achieve competitive labor cost structures.

22. 2018Qantas

    First Non-Stop Perth-London Flight

    Qantas launches the first scheduled non-stop commercial passenger flight between Australia and Europe using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.

23. 2020Austrian Airlines

    COVID-19 Government Support & Early Repayment

    Secures emergency state loan package during the pandemic, subsequently repaying all loans ahead of schedule.

24. 2022Austrian Airlines

    Annette Mann Appointed Chief Executive Officer

    Lufthansa Group executive Annette Mann assumes CEO role, driving post-pandemic turnaround and fleet renewal.

25. 2022Austrian Airlines

    Delivery of First Airbus A320neo

    Takes delivery of modern, fuel-efficient Airbus A320neo aircraft for European short-haul network.

26. 2022Qantas

    Formal Commitment to Project Sunrise

    Qantas confirms an order for 12 custom Airbus A350-1000 aircraft to operate direct non-stop flights from Sydney/Melbourne to London and New York.

27. 2023Qantas

    Leadership Transition to Vanessa Hudson

    Vanessa Hudson is appointed Group CEO and Managing Director, becoming the first woman to lead Qantas and initiating a broad brand restoration agenda.

28. 2024Austrian Airlines

    Debut of Flagship Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

    Inducts first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners into long-haul service, inaugurating direct flights to Boston and New York.

29. 2024Austrian Airlines

    Annual Revenue Reaches €2.45B ($2.65B)

    Delivers €127M adjusted EBIT, carrying over 13.9 million passengers across 125 destinations.

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