Why the global surge in airline capacity is great news for business travel
If it feels like the world’s opening up again, that’s because it is. Planes are full, routes are expanding, and airlines are in a full-blown race to win your seat. And for business travellers? It’s all good news.
With international flight capacity out of Australia now soaring past pre-pandemic levels, it’s officially a great time to be travelling for work (and maybe tacking on a little fun while you’re at it).
Capacity is climbing (and your options are too)
Right now, international airline capacity is sitting at 101% of where it was pre-COVID—and it's only going up from here. According to Flight Centre Corporate Global COO Melissa Elf, “we can expect to see the trend continue this year, with levels expected to reach a high of 106% of pre-pandemic capacity by mid-year.”
And some cities are absolutely thriving. “We’ve seen Perth become a real leader as an origin point for international capacity, with the airport seeing 121% of pre-pandemic seats available on flights out of the country,” says Elf. “It’s followed by Melbourne (102%), Brisbane (101%) and Sydney (98%).”
So, what does that mean for you? More flights. More flexibility. And fewer travel headaches.
New routes are taking off
Aussie travellers have spoken—and the airlines are listening. Emirates, Fiji Airways and United Airlines have all announced shiny new routes. United is launching the first-ever direct service from Adelaide to San Francisco this December, opening up a straight shot to the States for South Australians.
And then there’s Fiji Airways, quietly becoming a business traveller’s best-kept secret. “Fiji Airways is the quiet achiever that has been growing its fleet and opening up new routes for Aussie travellers,” says Elf. “It’s quickly becoming a favoured stop-over destination for North America.” They’ve hit a massive 134% of pre-pandemic capacity and are about to make North Queenslanders very happy with new direct flights from Cairns to Nadi—plus onward connections to Dallas-Fort Worth.
What this means for you: better fares and more choice
More airlines in the mix means one thing: competition. And competition means lower fares and more options—music to every travel manager’s ears. As Elf puts it, “we know that increased capacity equals higher competition and cheaper airfares, so every new route is good news for the pockets of travellers.”
Qantas is also stepping up, with new Darwin–Singapore flights making Asia and Europe just one stop away. And Virgin Australia’s partnership with Qatar Airways is about to supercharge access to over 100 destinations via Doha.
The takeaway? There’s never been a better time to travel
For business travellers, the return of global air capacity means one thing: more choice. Whether you’re chasing international opportunities, reconnecting with overseas teams, or finally booking that long-delayed business trip, 2025 is opening more doors than ever—with more routes, better value, and a lot less friction.
And at Corporate Traveller, we’ve got your back. Thanks to our global travel network and strong airline partnerships, you’ll get access to the best fares, the most flexible options, and exclusive deals you won’t find elsewhere.
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