QANTAS: to fly between Brisbane and the Pacific island nation of Palau
This new international service from Qantas between Brisbane and the Pacific island nation of Palau, to be known as the ‘Palau Paradise Express,’ is a contract with the Australian Federal Government.
Palau is a nation in the pacific consisting over over 300 islands, and includes such tourist attractions as the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Rock Islands
“This connection will make it even easier for Australians to explore Palau’s pristine waters, world-famous dive sites, lush tropical jungles, war history and authentic cultures. The ‘Palau Paradise Express’ will not only boost tourism but also strengthen trade, cultural exchanges and economic ties between Palau and Australia.”
Kadoi Ruluked, Director of Palau Visitors Authority
Content of this Post:
Flight Details of Brisbane and Pacific island nation of Palau
Flights are weekly on a Boeing 737 out of Brisbane. The weekly flights out of Brisbane using a Boeing 737 run on Saturdays with return flights on Sundays. Flights out of Brisbane commence on Saturday 7 December, 2024 to the Pacific island nation of Palau:
- QF165 Leaves Brisbane 12:30 arrives Palaou 17:30 (Saturdays)
- QF166 Leaves Palau 09:00 arrives Brisbane 15:45 (Sundays)
These flights operate weekly with a duration of around 6 hours each way.
Qantas is offering an opening special in Economy Class starting at AU$899 return. The fare is available until 11:59 pm Tuesday 12 November on the Qantas site. For Business Class, expect to pay around AU$2,700 for a sale fare, and closet to AU$3,500 for a standard Business Class seat.
Why go to Palau?
Other than the considerable novelty value, there are lots of other tropical attractions. It is home to the infamous Jellyfish lake where millions of non-stinging jellyfish move across the lake daily. Palau is a matrilineal culture, and created the first shark sanctuary in 2009 over 600,00 kilometres of ocean.
The Island nation comprises over 3000 islands and is home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rock Islands. Palau is committed to environmental conservation and requires all visitors to sign the Palau Pledge. Its also regarded as a world class diving destination.
2PAXfly Takeout
Oh No! With this once-a-week timetable, one would be forced to spend either a single night or a full week at this Pacific paradise!
Palau has an interesting colonial history, with everything from Spanish to USA domination. According to Wikipedia It formed its own constitution in 1979 and established itself as a Repbulic in 1981. It currently has a Compact of Free Association with the USA signed in 1994.
The country’s economy is based on a combination of tourism, subsistence agriculture, and fishing to support a population of under 20,000 people.
A quick look at the accommodation available shows a wide variety, from thrifty 3-star resorts to rooms and suites at over AU$2,000 per night at the high end.
Palau become independent in 1994, not 1978. It was never part of the Federated States of Micronesia. Palau was previously a United Nations Trust Territory and rejected joining FSM. Between 1978 and 1994, it had multiple referendums, all of them rejected until the most recent version, approved around 1994.
It appears to be difficult to fly between Australia and Palau. Other than the new flight, United flies twice a week to Manila. China Airlines flies infrequently but Qantas doesn’t fly to TPE anymore. There are United flights to Guam daily or almost daily (just a guess, didn’t look recently)
Thanks Derek. You are of course correct. Skim reading of Wikipedia is a dangerous practice, as this mistake demonstrates. I have adjusted the post in line with your comments and included a link to the Wikipedia entry. On access to Palau, I think your summary of available flights is correct. According to the Airports flight schedules, only United, Nauru, China Airlines and a charter flight on Cambodian Airways seems to regularly service the destination.
Thanks for your vigilance. Always appreciated.
Palau sounds like a fun place to visit. I do respectfully disagree in part that Palau became a Republic in 1981. Yes, it called itself a Republic but did not become independent until 1994.
Between Micronesia, Marshall Islands, and Palau, I am most interested in visiting Palau.