SYDNEY, Australia — Qantas Airways (QF) has unveiled a refreshed domestic in-flight menu designed to spotlight Australian-grown ingredients and strengthen the airline’s partnerships with local food producers. The new offering, launching across both economy and business cabins, underscores the carrier’s broader strategy to enhance its culinary experience while supporting the nation’s food industry.
The initiative introduces nearly 70 new and updated menu items, part of a six-week rotation cycle aimed at reducing repetition for frequent travelers. The airline said the redesign reflects growing passenger demand for variety, freshness, and a greater sense of connection to Australian regions.
“The new menu features a six-week rotation cycle, ensuring return flyers are less likely to encounter the same meals on consecutive trips,” Qantas said in its release.
A Broader Culinary Strategy
The new menu rollout is part of Qantas’ ongoing effort to refine its domestic service standards and reinforce its identity as an Australian brand. Items have been curated to highlight regional flavors and local producers, offering dishes that reflect the diversity of the nation’s culinary landscape.
The airline’s statement emphasized that the refreshed menu “forms part of Qantas’ broader strategy to support Australian food-production businesses, including First Nations-owned suppliers, while offering greater variety for frequent domestic travelers.” It also aligns with Qantas’ commitment to “culinary excellence on board.”
In economy class, passengers can expect dishes such as an egg & chorizo toastie with smoky tomato chutney and a macadamia butterscotch cake. Business-class travelers, meanwhile, will see elevated fare including garlic prawns with parmesan cream and fettuccine, or a lamb & rosemary pie served with crisp potatoes and peas.
Focus on Local Partnerships
The airline’s emphasis on local sourcing includes collaborations with well-known Australian artisans and Indigenous-owned ventures. “Suppliers listed include Sydney-based artisan bakeries, Queensland toastie specialists, and Indigenous-owned ventures such as those run by Uncle Herb Smith and Terri-Anne Daniel,” the release noted.
Among the named partners are Sydney’s Simmone Logue and Manna from Heaven, as well as Queensland’s Handmade Food Co., all recognized for their small-batch craftsmanship and regional focus.
Qantas also highlighted formal collaborations with Indigenous businesses such as DreamTime Tuka and Cooee, both of which incorporate native bush ingredients into their culinary offerings. “These steps aim to elevate local food-production visibility and integrate more Australian ingredient provenance into the travel-catering supply chain,” the airline said.
Industry analysts note that airlines have increasingly turned to local sourcing to strengthen brand authenticity and meet customer expectations for sustainable, fresh food. For Qantas, the initiative also serves as a platform to support First Nations enterprises and promote a sense of national pride through food.
Lounge Upgrades Complement In-Flight Enhancements
The focus on dining extends beyond the aircraft cabin. Qantas is simultaneously upgrading food and beverage options in its domestic lounges, rolling out new concepts to deliver a consistent experience from ground to air.
Among the upgrades are:
-
“The Bakery” in the Brisbane Domestic Business Lounge
-
A new Nasi Goreng station in the Melbourne Domestic Business Lounge
-
A revamped pizza bar in the Perth Business Lounge
“These enhancements reflect an end-to-end dining strategy — from lounge pre-flight to in-flight service — and are expected to reinforce customer satisfaction and loyalty on the domestic network,” Qantas said.
Strengthening Brand Connection and Traveler Experience
The revamped menu and lounge initiatives collectively mark one of Qantas’ most comprehensive domestic food service overhauls in recent years. The carrier said the effort reflects a deliberate move to deepen ties with local suppliers while improving the passenger experience for frequent domestic flyers.
“Qantas’ newly introduced domestic menu represents a deliberate move to strengthen its connection with Australian-based producers, enrich its catering offering, and enhance the domestic traveler experience,” the airline noted.
By leveraging local sourcing, a varied rotation schedule, and new lounge concepts, Qantas aims to set a higher standard for domestic air travel in Australia. The changes also come amid increasing competition among airlines seeking to differentiate their offerings through service quality and sustainability initiatives.
“By leveraging local sourcing and varied rotations, the airline aims to differentiate its domestic service and deliver consistent value in both economy and business cabins,” the release concluded.
