Qantas and Jetstar are proposing three new nonstop routes to Indonesia: Perth–Jakarta, Western Sydney–Bali and Brisbane–Bali. The services would begin in stages from December 2026 through August 2027, subject to the necessary approvals, giving travelers additional options for both the Indonesian capital and its best-known holiday island.
The Qantas Group’s capacity request, listed by Australia’s International Air Services Commission on October 2, seeks 4,539 additional seats per week in each direction for five years. The group wants to use the allocation fully by November 1, 2027. The case remains ongoing, with competing applications invited until October 19; that date is an application deadline, rather than a promised approval or launch date.
Three Proposed Routes and Their Start Dates
The airline’s proposed schedules show daily flights on all three new routes. Aircraft assignments and timings remain subject to change.
| Route | Airline | Proposed start | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perth–Jakarta PER–CGK |
Qantas | December 14, 2026 | Boeing 737-800 |
| Western Sydney–Bali WSI–DPS |
Jetstar | March 15, 2027 | Airbus A321LR |
| Brisbane–Bali BNE–DPS |
Qantas | August 1, 2027 | Boeing 737-800 |
Melbourne–Jakarta Would Expand in Two Steps
The application also proposes more flights on Qantas’s existing Melbourne–Jakarta route. Service would increase to four flights per week from March 28, 2027, using Airbus A330-200 aircraft, then become daily from October 31, 2027, with Airbus A321XLR aircraft. This is a frequency increase on an existing route, rather than a fourth new connection.
A Bigger Opening for Indonesia Flights
The expansion follows an updated agreement between Australia and Indonesia, announced on September 19. The first revision to the bilateral arrangements in 15 years allows an additional 5,000 seats per week for airlines of both countries and permits services to Western Sydney International. It also opens access to more Indonesian destinations beyond Jakarta and Denpasar. Those broader traffic rights create room for growth, but do not themselves confirm any individual airline service.
Western Sydney International is scheduled to welcome its first passengers on October 25, 2026. The airport will operate without a curfew, with Jetstar launching initial domestic services to Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Its planned Bali connection would add a leisure destination to that network.
As we explored in our Western Sydney coverage, the additional gateway could change which airport makes sense for travelers across the wider Sydney region. Getting to the terminal is part of that calculation, alongside the airfare.
What Travelers Should Check Before Booking
The filing sets out schedules, rather than fares or a ticket-sales announcement. Travelers should look for confirmed airline schedules and actual booking availability before building a trip around the proposed dates.
Fare comparisons will also need to account for the different products. Qantas includes checked and carry-on baggage in its economy fares. Jetstar’s directly booked Starter fares exclude checked baggage, preferred seat selection, and food and drink, according to its fare guide.
For Jetstar Airways flights departing from February 2, 2027, that guide lists one underseat bag measuring up to 40 x 30 x 20cm as the standard carry-on allowance, with an exception for bookings made before August 5, 2026. The proposed Western Sydney–Bali launch falls after that policy change. Travelers should check their specific fare and bundle, then compare the total cost with the baggage and extras they actually need.
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