Vanessa Hudson has been named as the new chief executive for Qantas, and will take up her position when Alan Joyce steps down in November.
She will become the first female CEO of the national carrier in its 103-year history, and was picked from a field of nearly 40 candidates from around the globe.
Qantas Chairman Richard Goyder says the board "firmly feel" Ms Hudson, who has been with the company for 28 years in a number of senior roles, is the "right person to take Qantas forward".