Qantas Group has reported its best calendar year since it was launched 95 years ago.
It achieved an underlying profit before tax of $921 million in the six month period to December 31, the first half of its financial year.
This was compared to $367 million in the same period the year before.
"This makes our 2015 calendar-year performance the best in the national carrier’s 95-year history," said chief executive Alan Joyce.
"Every segment of the Group has contributed strongly to today’s result, with each reporting a rate of return above our cost of capital. Qantas Domestic, Jetstar and Qantas Loyalty all achieved record results in the half."
He said Qantas International had achieved a ‘remarkable turnaround’ with a four-fold rise in underlying earnings to $270 million.
Joyce said the division was benefiting from cost control, the lower Australian dollar which is driving an inbound tourism surge, and a ‘smarter approach to aircraft utilisation’.
"Our performance has also been bolstered by our three cornerstone partnerships – with American Airlines, China Eastern, and Emirates," he added.
Qantas also today announced it is building a new premium lounge at London Heathrow Airport in the first quarter of 2017.
The premium lounge will occupy a split-level space in Terminal 3 that will have capacity for around 230 people, with views over the Heathrow airfield.
