Not all direct routes are equal on price, product, or where they depart from. Here is a breakdown worth reading before you book.
Who Flies Direct and From Which Australian Cities?
- Qantas operates direct services from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
- JAL flies from Sydney and Melbourne.
- ANA operates from Sydney.
- Jetstar covers Brisbane and Cairns, making it the most accessible budget option for Queensland travellers.
On Price
From Sydney, Jetstar leads as the cheapest one way option. Qantas sits in the middle. JAL and ANA sit at the premium end of the pricing range.
Before assuming Jetstar is the cheapest overall, factor in baggage fees. The base fare can look attractive until you add a checked bag, at which point the gap between Jetstar and the full service carriers narrows considerably.
Why Direct Matters on This Route
A direct flight from the east coast of Australia to Tokyo is approximately 10 hours. Connecting through Singapore or Hong Kong adds meaningful time to that journey. On a route of this length, avoiding a connection is worth paying attention to when comparing options.
Product and Service
JAL and ANA are both highly rated for comfort, service, and the overall inflight experience. If the quality of the journey matters as much as the price, both are worth serious consideration. Qantas sits in the middle, a full service product at a mid-range price point. Jetstar is the budget option with the trade-offs that come with it.
Which airline would you pick for Tokyo? Comment below.