What are the hourly rates on the Qantas long-haul fleet?

Qantas long-haul pilots are paid hourly rates that vary by aircraft type, rank and year of service. Under EA10 (2023 rates), the AFAP lists AUD 378.00 an hour for an A380 captain at year 12, AUD 360.01 for an A350 captain at year 12 and AUD 342.87 for an A330 captain at year 12. On the Boeing 787 the scale is shorter: AUD 409.26 an hour for a captain and AUD 270.10 for a first officer at year 4. Second officers are on lower rates. A legacy A380 second officer at year 12 earns AUD 194.13 an hour, a C-scale A380 or A330 second officer at year 6 AUD 122.95 an hour, and a Boeing 787 second officer at year 4 AUD 143.23 an hour.1

What changed for Qantas short-haul pilots in 2025?

Around 750 short-haul pilots fly the Boeing 737 for Qantas mainline. Their new agreement, EBA9, was approved on 24 February 2025 by 59.8% of eligible pilots on a 90% turnout. After a pay freeze in 2023 and 2024, wages rise by 3% on 1 September 2025, 2026 and 2027, and AIPA estimates the overall remuneration increase at 25% over five years. AIPA says pilots no longer lose pay for disruption or changes from two calendar days before a pattern starts, reserve is now paid, and the minimum guaranteed hours per 28-day roster rise from 53:24 to 60 hours. The agreement has a nominal expiry date of 31 August 2028.23

Where do the long-haul negotiations stand?

In April 2026, 66% of Qantas long-haul pilots voted against a proposed agreement on a 95% turnout; it covers about 1700 pilots on the A330, A380 and Boeing 787. In August 2026, the AFAP, AIPA and Qantas reached an in-principle agreement on a proposed EA11, which pilots have yet to vote on. It proposes 3% backdated to 13 July 2026, 8.1% on commencement and no later than 28 December 2026, then 3% on 1 July 2027, 2028 and 2029 and 4% on 1 July 2030. C-scale second officers would receive between 16 and 25% at commencement. Under the proposal, the AFAP models the total remuneration increase since EA10 expired in April 2024 at 28.4% for A380 captains and first officers and 29.0% on the Boeing 787. Under the proposal, captains on the A350 and Boeing 787 would reach AUD 517.85 an hour in July 2030. In early October 2026 the final wording was still being drafted before a vote by the pilots.14567

What about Qantas freighter pilots?

Express Freighters Australia is the cargo airline of Qantas Freight. In June 2025 the TWU said the pay offer to its more than 100 pilots would in some cases leave them below the Air Pilots Award 2020. According to AAP, more than 90 per cent of these pilots voted for industrial action, and these pilots can be away from home for as much as 260 hours a month.89