What could help the Qantas (ASX:QAN) share price take flight soon?

The airline's share price may soon have more reason to take off.

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

a young man rests back into his hands behind his head with a wide smile and his eyes closed as he sits with two large suitcases in what looks to be an airport or transit destination.

Image source: Getty Images

Key points

  • The Qantas share price is in the green today
  • The airline will be flying Sydney to Dallas in February
  • Brokers have recently rated Qantas a buy

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) may have hit turbulence in the first month of the year, but some new routes may help the airline fly higher soon.

The Qantas share price is up just 1.2% this year to date. However, it has risen nearly 6% in the past month.

Let's take a look at what could impact the airline in the coming month.

What is happening at Qantas

The Qantas share price has been up and down like a yo-yo in January. The share price gained 2.4% on Monday but fell 1.95% on Tuesday. As Motley Fool Australia reported, travel shares were all down yesterday amid news Australia had been taken off the safe travel list for Europe.

But there could be brighter days ahead for the airline. Qantas will be resuming its long haul flights to Dallas Fort Worth in the US on February 16, Executive Traveller reported yesterday. The 15-hour flight was suspended in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The flight will be scheduled three times a week on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Another flight route set to resume is the Perth to London long haul flight. This daily service is earmarked for resumption on March 27.

On January 4, the airline resumed flights between Sydney and Johannesburg in South Africa. The company's share price increased 2.79% on the day.

Qantas has also received positive broker outlooks in recent days. Morgan Stanley rated the airline as a buy last week and sees earnings increasing under normal conditions.

The company gave the share price a $7 price target. That's 38% more than current share price of $5.06 at the time of writing. JP Morgan also recently gave Qantas an outperform rating with a $6.30 price target.

Australia's international borders also could weigh on the Qantas share price in the coming months. For now, Australia's borders are only open to vaccinated citizens, permanent residents, and eligible visa holders.

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke announced last night that 43,000 international students have arrived in Australia since 1 December. He also revealed temporary graduate visa holders will be allowed into the country from 18 February.

Qantas share price recap

The Qantas share price is up 6.07% in the past month, but it is down 1.55% in the past week. In the last year, it has climbed by 3.89%.

For perspective, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has returned roughly 9% in the past year.

The company has a market capitalisation of about $9.6 billion based on its current share price.

The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Travel Shares

Couple at an airport waiting for their flight.
Travel Shares

The pros and cons of buying Qantas shares this month

Should investors buy the airline during this volatility?

Read more »

Man sitting in a plane seat works on his laptop.
Travel Shares

Why a $700 million move into Qantas shares is turning heads today

AustralianSuper builds a major stake in Qantas.

Read more »

A smiling boy holds a toy plane aloft while a girl watches on from a car near an airport runway.
Travel Shares

This ASX travel stock is rising after a major capital management milestone

Flight Centre rises after completing buyback and cleaning up debt.

Read more »

A woman's hair is blown back and her face is in shock at this big news.
Travel Shares

Are Virgin Australia shares a buy after flying 7% higher on Wednesday?

Find out how far analysts are tipping the airline's shares to run.

Read more »

A woman reaches her arms to the sky as a plane flies overhead at sunset.
Travel Shares

Here's why Virgin Australia shares are flying 7% higher today

The airline has maintained its FY26 outlook, with fuel hedging offsetting higher fuel prices.

Read more »

A woman looks nervous and uncertain holding a hand to her chin while looking at a paper cut out of a plane that she's holding in her other hand.
Travel Shares

Are Qantas shares still a buy after its latest market update?

Here's why Qantas shares are the talk of the town this week.

Read more »

Woman at a departure terminal at an airport.
Travel Shares

Virgin Australia's FY26 update: Hedging cushions rising fuel costs

Virgin Australia maintains FY26 outlook as fuel hedging cushions the impact of recent volatility.

Read more »

Happy couple looking at a phone and waiting for their flight at an airport.
Travel Shares

Is it time to buy low on these ASX travel stocks?

Here's three buy-low options.

Read more »