Qantas Increases Direct Sydney–Sapporo Flights to Meet Growing Australian Demand for Hokkaido Travel
(IN SHORT) Qantas has confirmed a major expansion of its Sydney–Sapporo seasonal service for the 2026/27 winter, increasing flights from three per week to up to five per week and adding more than 10,000 additional seats. The move follows strong demand during the current ski season and continued growth in travel between Australia and Japan, with more than one million Australians visiting Japan in 2025. As the only airline operating a non-stop link between Sydney and Sapporo, Qantas is strengthening its presence in the Japanese market while giving Australian travellers greater direct access to Hokkaido’s popular winter destinations.
(PRESS RELEASE) MACSOT, NSW, Australia, 2026-Jan-30 — /Travel PR News/ — Qantas has announced a significant capacity increase on its seasonal Sydney–Sapporo service for the 2026/27 northern winter, expanding flights from three per week to up to five per week in response to strong performance and exceptional demand during the current ski season. The enhanced schedule represents an increase of more than 50 per cent year on year and will add over 10,000 additional seats for Australian travellers heading to Japan’s renowned winter sports destination.
With the expanded programme, Qantas will offer close to 35,000 seats between Sydney and Sapporo across the 2026/27 season, reflecting sustained interest from Australians travelling to Hokkaido for skiing and winter experiences. Demand on the route has exceeded expectations since its launch, prompting the airline to accelerate capacity growth for the following season.
The decision comes amid continued growth in travel between Australia and Japan. New figures from the Japan National Tourism Organisation show that more than one million Australians visited Japan in 2025, a 15 per cent increase on the already record-breaking numbers seen in 2024. Winter travel remains particularly strong, with more than 121,000 Australians visiting Japan during the December school holiday period at the start of the ski season.
QF107 Sydney to Sapporo Schedule – 2026/27 Season**
- 7 – 15 December 2026: Three per week (Mon, Wed, Sat)
- 16 December 2026 – 31 January 2027: Up-to five per week (Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun)
- 1 February – 28 February 2027: Four per week (Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat)
- 1 March – 31 March 2027: Three per week (Mon, Wed, Sat)
Qantas is currently the only airline offering a non-stop connection between Sydney and Sapporo. The seasonal service launched in December 2025, marking Sapporo as the 100th destination added to the airline’s international network. The route has delivered a boost to inbound and outbound tourism while responding to growing demand from Australian travellers seeking direct access to Hokkaido’s snow resorts.
Since the service commenced, customer uptake has been robust, with nearly 10,000 passengers carried during the first half of the current season alone. The airline expects strong demand to continue throughout the remainder of the winter period, reinforcing Japan’s importance as a key growth market for Qantas in the Asia region.
For the 2026/27 season, flights will operate three times per week at the start and end of the season, increasing to up to five weekly services during peak travel periods in December and January. Return Economy fares from Sydney to Sapporo are available from AUD $1,473.
SOURCE: Qantas Airways Limited ABN
