Qantas is op 16 November 1920 in Winton, Queensland, gestig deur Hudson Fysh, Paul McGinness en Fergus McMaster as Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited. Die lugredery se eerste vliegtuig was 'n Avro 504K. Dit het sy hoofkwartier in 1921 na Longreach, Queensland en in 1930 na Brisbane, Queensland verskuif.
16 November 1920