Qantas now flying non-stop from Melbourne to Jakarta

Victorians looking to bounce their way across the islands of Indonesia have a new connection to its capital, with Qantas’ non-stop Melbourne to Jakarta service taking to the sky over the weekend.

Jetting off thrice-weekly, QF39 from Melbourne sees wheels up at 3:10pm every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday, before touching down at Jakarta’s Soekarno Hatta International at 7:15pm.

A flight time of just over 7 hours gives those seated in the roomy Airbus A330 lie-flat business class – the same found on the airline’s Sydney-Seoul service – a chance to stretch out and enjoy a few movies, before hitting the ground running in Jakarta that evening.

Following a quick turnaround, QF40 hops back to Melbourne those same three days at 9:00pm, arriving at 6:40am the following morning.

Home to more than 10 million people, central Jakarta is a constant hive of activity.

Though a first-time service for Qantas, it isn’t the only airline linking Melbourne and Jakarta, with Garuda Indonesia’s own flight GA717 already jetting off every Sunday and Thursday at 8:00am, and arriving at 12:15pm.

From a timing perspective, Garuda may have the slight advantage though, with its early afternoon arrival better-timed to avoid the city’s notoriously bad peak hour evening traffic.

Qantas Domestic and International CEO Andrew David says the Oneworld member is seeing strong demand to and from Melbourne, particularly among business travellers.

“The route is also a great opportunity for more Indonesians to explore the best of Victoria or visit family and friends, with the flights launching in time for the Lebaran holiday period,” David adds. 

Those jetting off on the Red Roo will be able to enjoy its new “bigger and better” international menu, which took to the sky late last month and includes the likes of seared grasslands beef fillet and Bannockburn chicken Kyiv in business class.