Qantas rejected a partnership bid from Etihad Airways before agreeing a deal with rival Emirates Airlines, according to a report.
The Australian and Dubai-based carriers announced a global partnership in March, operating 14 times a day between the two regions.
According to a report in Arabian Business, chief executive Alan Joyce said Qantas had been approached for a possible deal with the UAE national carrier, before ultimately agreeing a partnership deal with Emirates Airlines.
He compared the proposal by Etihad and the deal struck with Emirates as "like being offered the bike before the BMW".
He also claimed "the jury is out on equity partnerships" of the kind that Etihad Airways is building.
Gulf carriers have focused their interests on the Australian market, with Etihad signing up Virgin Australia as one of its major equity partners.
Qantas was forced to defend the poor start to its alliance with Emirates after its international passenger numbers fell 7.2%.
In a statement to Arabian Business, a Qantas spokesperson said the downturn was not surprising because there was some uncertainty surrounding the alliance, which was only confirmed on March 27 when the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission granted approval.
"Many of our international customers book their international travel several months in advance so it is no surprise that this uncertainty had an effect on forward bookings for the month of April," the spokesperson said.
Etihad plans to launch its Airbus A380 aircraft to Sydney and Melbourne while it also plans to build premium lounges at Sydney and Melbourne Airports from 2014.
The airline has also flagged additional flights to Melbourne and Brisbane while nonstop flights between Perth and Abu Dhabi will also be launched.
