THE same politicians who unleashed scathing attacks on Qantas for bringing an abrupt end to damaging industrial action have accepted thousands of dollars in flight upgrades and gifts from the airline.
A check of the pecuniary interests register shows about 50 per cent of MPs and Senators from all political parties received perks from the airline over the past two years, including wine, tickets to the AFL, iPads and flight upgrades, the Courier-Mail reported.
Qantas also has a policy of inviting all federal politicians and their spouses to be members of the exclusive Chairman's Lounge.
It is understood Greens Senator Scott Ludlam used his privileges in the Chairman's Lounge on the same day he interrogated Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce at last Friday's Senate inquiry.
Some of those to receive iPads from Qantas include Transport Minister Anthony Albanese, Tourism Minister Peter Garrett, Labor MP Alan Griffin, Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop and Liberal MP and Qantas shareholder Barry Haase.
Ministers Martin Ferguson and Bill Shorten have been guests of Qantas at AFL grand finals, and veteran Queensland Liberal Ian MacFarlane declared the airline gave him 50,000 frequent flyer points.
Even Julia Gillard accepted flight upgrades from Qantas before she became Prime Minister and got her own jet. This week a motion to have Qantas's political critics give up lucrative perks from the airline was voted down by the Senate.
Emirates Airlines also provided flight upgrades and hospitality at events such as the Melbourne Cup for several politicians while Virgin Australia offered MPs access to their Velocity lounges and loyalty program.
Meanwhile, Qantas flight bookings have rebounded to pre-strike levels just over a week after the airline's dramatic global fleet grounding.
A huge exodus of passengers to other carriers, mostly Virgin Australia, was one of the reasons Mr Joyce grounded the fleet last month in an effort to bring a permanent halt to industrial action by three unions.
John Guscic from internet booking agency Webjet said the action appeared to have had the desired effect.
"The bookings going forward reflect a bounce back," Mr Guscic said.
news.com.au