Qantas today announced a collaboration with wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin, marking the occasion with a campaign image featuring an entire cabin full of the man himself. The campaign also features Robert and a Qantas cabin crew explaining to the world that “nah yeah” means yes and “yeah nah” means no, and discovering another Qantas cabin crew has had his artwork tattooed on their arm for years.
Filmed at Australia Zoo’s The Crocodile Hunter Lodge and onboard a Qantas aircraft, the campaign runs across North America, the United Kingdom and Asia from 16 September 2026. As part of the airline’s hero “Australia in the Sky” campaign, Irwin appears onboard a Qantas aircraft before drifting off to sleep and dreaming of being back at Australia Zoo, bringing to life the idea that for Qantas customers, Australia begins the moment they step onboard.
Central to the collaboration is Robert Irwin encouraging visitation to Australia with Qantas Explorer fares, including a joint campaign with Tourism Australia in several markets. The program gives customers who book an international Qantas flight to Australia access to discounted Economy and Business fares across more than 45 domestic destinations, booked in the same itinerary as their international flight.
Among those featured in the campaign is Brisbane-based Qantas cabin crew member Dan Jameson, whose connection with Irwin predates the collaboration by several years. On a Qantas service, the pair discovered a shared love of wildlife and Irwin drew a crocodile on Jameson’s arm, which he later had permanently tattooed.
Qantas will also support the 2026 Steve Irwin Gala in Brisbane, Australia, which raises funds for global conservation through Wildlife Warriors.
Comments from Qantas Group Chief Brand and Corporate Affairs Officer Danielle Keighery:
“Robert Irwin is one of Australia’s most loved personalities and there is no one better placed to showcase our country to the world. For Qantas, that experience starts the moment customers step onboard one of our aircraft, through our distinctly Australian hospitality, food and wine. And with our Explorer fares offering discounted travel to more than 45 destinations across Australia, there has never been a better time to discover just how much this country has to offer.”
Comments from Robert Irwin:
“Qantas has been part of my life since I was about the size of a loaf of bread. Some of my earliest memories are walking down the aerobridge with Mum and getting to visit the flight deck.
“When I get on a Qantas flight, I’m amongst friends. There is something about the warm Australian hospitality that feels like home. Getting to join forces with our national carrier to show the world just how much Australia has to offer is something that means a great deal to me.”
