Alan Joyce AC

About Alan

Alan Joyce led Qantas Airways for fifteen years — from 2008 to 2023 — guiding one of the world's most recognised aviation brands through the global financial crisis, the 2011 union dispute, the COVID-19 pandemic and a sustained transformation that turned Qantas into one of the most profitable airlines on earth. Before taking the top role, he was the founding CEO of Jetstar, which became one of the world's most successful budget carriers under his leadership.

Alan's accomplishments across his tenure are substantial: transforming Qantas Loyalty into a dominant commercial asset, committing Qantas to carbon neutrality by 2050 — the second airline globally to do so — and spearheading Project Sunrise, the ambitious push toward direct ultra-long-haul flights from Australia's east coast to London and New York. He served on the IATA board for 12 years including a term as Chairman, and on the one world alliance for 15 years, three as Chairman.

Born in Dublin and educated at Trinity College Dublin and the Dublin Institute of Technology, Alan relocated to Australia in 1996 and rose through Ansett and then Qantas to lead Australia's national carrier. A Companion of the Order of Australia and Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, he is also one of Australia's most prominent advocates for gender equality, Indigenous rights and LGBTQ+ inclusion — and the author of his memoir Riding the Jet Stream, a candid account of the decisions that defined his career at the helm of a national institution.