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Year		Key Events
1920		Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Ltd is formed on 16 November with headquarters in Winton, Queensland.
1921		Headquarters move to Longreach, Queensland.
1922		The first scheduled Qantas mail and passenger flight operates from Charleville to Cloncurry, Queensland.
1924		S M Bruce flies Qantas, becoming the first Australian Prime Minister to use an aircraft for official travel.
1926		Qantas begins building its own aircraft in Longreach.
1927		Qantas takes on its first apprentice.
1928		The Flying Doctor Service is launched, using Qantas aircraft.
1929		The outback network extends to Brisbane.
1930		Qantas establishes its headquarters in Brisbane.
1931		Qantas carries airmail from Brisbane to Darwin as part of an experimental service to the UK.
1934		The company name changes to Qantas Empire Airways.
1935		A Qantas DH86 operates the airline's first overseas flight, from Darwin to Singapore, carrying airmail bound to the UK in cooperation with Imperial Airways (later BOAC).
1938		Qantas introduces Short C Class flying boats on the UK route, flying as far as Singapore where Imperial Airways crews take over. The head office moves to Sydney, the new operational base.
1939-1945		The airline establishes an engine overhaul workshop at Mascot aerodrome (now Sydney Airport). Qantas supports the war effort, evacuating personnel who risk being captured by advancing Japanese forces and dropping supplies at tree-top level to troops in New Guinea. The airline pioneers history-making flights of 30 hours or more in Catalina aircraft between Perth and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) to maintain a crucial link with the Allied Forces. In 1944 Qantas adopts the kangaroo symbol.
1946		Qantas resumes Australia-UK flying boat services with BOAC (later British Airways) as a partner, introduces DC3 services to New Guinea and extends its network to India and the Pacific Islands.
1947		The Australian Government buys all shares in Qantas; the airline introduces Constellation aircraft on the London route and operates its first flight to Japan.
1949		Trans-Australia Airlines (TAA) takes over Qantas' Queensland and Northern Territory networks and the Flying Doctor Service operations.
1953		Qantas introduces tourist (economy) class on the Kangaroo Route to the UK.
1954		Qantas begins flights to San Francisco and Vancouver with Super Constellations.
1956		Qantas carries the Olympic flame from Athens to Australia for the Games in Melbourne.
1957		The airline opens its new corporate headquarters, Qantas House in Hunter Street, Sydney.
1958		Qantas pioneers round the world services, using Super Constellations.
1959		Qantas becomes the first non-US airline to introduce Boeing 707s which halve travel times on trans-Pacific services.
1960		TAA takes over New Guinea services.
1966		Co-founder Sir Hudson Fysh retires as Chairman of Qantas.
1967		The name is changed to Qantas Airways Limited.
1971		Qantas introduces the jumbo jet - the Boeing 747.
1974		Qantas establishes a world record by evacuating 673 passengers on one of its flights from Darwin after the city was devastated by Cyclone Tracy.
1979		Qantas phases out its last 707 to become the world's only all-747 airline and introduces the world's first Business Class.
1985		Qantas introduces Boeing 767s.
1989		Qantas establishes a world distance record for commercial jets when it flies its first Boeing 747-400 non stop 18,001km from London to Sydney in 20 hours nine minutes and five seconds.
1992		Qantas buys Australian Airlines (formerly TAA) for A$400 million.
1993		The Australian Government sells a 25 per cent share of the airline to British Airways as the first step towards privatisation. Qantas and Australian Airlines are merged under the banner Qantas - 'The Australian Airline'.
1994		Qantas introduces a new cabin design as part of a comprehensive update of its service which also features more comfortable seats, new menus and uniforms and bigger airport lounges.
1995		Qantas is now one of the world's great airlines. The airline group, including regional subsidiaries, operates a fleet of more than 130 aircraft flying more than 14 million passengers annually.
1997		50th Anniversary of full Qantas services on the Kangaroo route between Australia and United Kingdom, and the 50th anniversary of services to Japan
2002		Qantas' launches new international subsidiary airline under the historical name of 'Australian Airlines'.
2004		Qantas launches new domestic low cost carrier 'Jetstar'.
2006		Qantas subsidiary 'Australian Airlines' ceases operation.

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