Qantas is bringing the start date of its Chicago flights forward. A Qantas 787-9 Dreamliner was slated to start jetting between Brisbane and Chicago four times a week from April 20, 2020. Now, the first flight has been brought forward by five days to April 15, 2020.

The Qantas website has QF85 pushing back from Brisbane at 15:30 on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, for a same day arrival in Chicago at 16:40. Flights will depart Brisbane every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. 

Brisbane bound flights will depart Chicago every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. QF86 will depart from Chicago at 21:50 and arrive in Brisbane at 06:10 two days later. Flying time is 17 plus hours.

The 14,326-kilometre route is the second-longest in the Qantas network and the fourth-longest in the world.

Brisbane Airport’s second runway is set to open in mid-2020 as the eight-year construction project enters its final phase. It has been a long time coming but it will allow the airport to double its aircraft movements. The opening of the second runway comes at a critical time for the busy airport that has big growth aspirations.

As far as Brisbane Airport is concerned, the benefits will not only be felt at the airport but also around wider South East Queensland. The airport estimates that by 2035, the new runway will have generated 7,800 jobs and pumped USD$3.4 billion into the local economy. The extra capacity the second runway will bring to Brisbane will mean more flights to more destinations for residents.