Qantas error sells first class seats for 'too good to be true' prices
By
Danielle F.
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Travelling is an experience everyone should enjoy.
What makes it more memorable is if these holidays came in at a fraction of the price.
Recently, an airline's blunder saved customers almost thousands of dollars for first-class seats, raising concerns about whether they will honour the slashed prices.
Last Tuesday, 22 August, first-class fares between Australia and the United States (US) listed on the Qantas website cost around $5,000 per return.
These prices were $15,000 less than the standard first-class fare, which the airline attributed to a 'coding error'.
The discounted fares were available on the Qantas website for eight hours.
The luxury of first-class travel suddenly became attainable for those who seized the rare price drop.
The news of the error spread like wildfire after being posted online.
The Qantas website noted that the fares were for travel dates between September 2024 to June 2025.
The available flights were between Sydney, Melbourne, and various destinations.
Qantas could have invoked the terms and conditions on their website, which allow for the cancellation of bookings or refunds related to the error.
'Unfortunately, this is a case where the fare was actually too good to be true,' a Qantas spokesperson said.
However, in a commendable display of customer service and goodwill, the airline chose a different path.
Qantas Airways decided to honour a series of first-class tickets booked during the glitch.
The airline decided to rebook customers into business class seats for free.
Full refunds were also available for those who prefer saving cash.
Qantas' decision demonstrated a respect for customer relations and the importance of brand integrity in the aviation industry.
In an age where digital errors could occur, the human element of business—understanding, flexibility, and fairness—remains invaluable.
As of writing, first-class flights from Sydney to Los Angeles cost around $19,342—a stark contrast to the previously discounted fare.
While some may have missed out on the incredible deal, others will be eagerly anticipating their rare business-class upgrade.
Have you ever benefited from a pricing error? Do you have any tips for finding the best travel deals? Share your experiences with us in the comments section below!
What makes it more memorable is if these holidays came in at a fraction of the price.
Recently, an airline's blunder saved customers almost thousands of dollars for first-class seats, raising concerns about whether they will honour the slashed prices.
Last Tuesday, 22 August, first-class fares between Australia and the United States (US) listed on the Qantas website cost around $5,000 per return.
These prices were $15,000 less than the standard first-class fare, which the airline attributed to a 'coding error'.
The discounted fares were available on the Qantas website for eight hours.
The luxury of first-class travel suddenly became attainable for those who seized the rare price drop.
The news of the error spread like wildfire after being posted online.
The Qantas website noted that the fares were for travel dates between September 2024 to June 2025.
The available flights were between Sydney, Melbourne, and various destinations.
Qantas could have invoked the terms and conditions on their website, which allow for the cancellation of bookings or refunds related to the error.
'Unfortunately, this is a case where the fare was actually too good to be true,' a Qantas spokesperson said.
However, in a commendable display of customer service and goodwill, the airline chose a different path.
Qantas Airways decided to honour a series of first-class tickets booked during the glitch.
The airline decided to rebook customers into business class seats for free.
Full refunds were also available for those who prefer saving cash.
Qantas' decision demonstrated a respect for customer relations and the importance of brand integrity in the aviation industry.
In an age where digital errors could occur, the human element of business—understanding, flexibility, and fairness—remains invaluable.
As of writing, first-class flights from Sydney to Los Angeles cost around $19,342—a stark contrast to the previously discounted fare.
While some may have missed out on the incredible deal, others will be eagerly anticipating their rare business-class upgrade.
Key Takeaways
- Qantas experienced a 'coding error' which led to significant discounts on first-class international flights.
- Return first-class fares to the US were mistakenly available for less than $5000, approximately $15,000 cheaper than usual.
- The deal was available for approximately eight hours, and customers booked flights during the 'too good to be true' sale.
- Qantas apologised for the error and promised to honour the sale, offering customers the option to rebook or receive a full refund.