Former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce Reflects on Life After Airline Departure

Alan Joyce, the former CEO of Qantas, has shared that he has been advised to take a year off following his controversial exit from the airline. Speaking outside his luxurious $20 million apartment in Sydney, Joyce expressed a positive outlook on his post-Qantas life but refrained from discussing his tenure at the airline due to legal restrictions. When questioned about the damage to Qantas' reputation during his leadership, he remained tight-lipped, as well as on the significant reduction of his $9 million bonus following a critical review of his performance. The review, conducted by former McKinsey partner Tom Saar, highlighted that Joyce's long tenure contributed to the airline's reputational decline, citing "too much deference" to his leadership. In light of this, Qantas announced a reduction in Joyce's long-term bonus from $8.36 million and a cut to his short-term incentive by a third. Over his time at Qantas, Joyce amassed approximately $150 million, but his recent share dealings have come under scrutiny, particularly a $17 million sale shortly after the airline disclosed flight cancellations. Since leaving Qantas in September 2023, Joyce and his husband have been dividing their time between their Whale Beach home and their penthouse in The Rocks. Plans are underway to renovate their Whale Beach residence to accommodate family visits, including Joyce's elderly mother, who resides in Dublin. Meanwhile, Joyce is set to engage in charitable work and directorship roles, including a scholarship initiative for LGBTQIA+ playwrights.