A Qantas Boeing 737-800 and a Tesla Model S P90D electric car raced down the runway in Victoria on the weekend to launch a partnership between the brands.

The Australian national airline carrier and California-based luxury, high performance electric car manufacturer  are collaborating to drive innovation for their customers and sustainability in the transport industry.

Other factors in the partnership will see Tesla Model S owners receive Qantas Club membership, and Tesla high power wall connectors at Qantas valet facilities in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide allowing Model S owners to charge while travelling.

Qantas will become Tesla’s airline of choice in Australia and offset all the car maker’s domestic corporate travel emissions as part of Qantas’ Future Planet Program.

Exclusive events for Qantas frequent flyers will enable them to experience new Tesla vehicles and technology.

“Both our companies are passionate about continuing to push the boundaries of customer service, innovation and sustainability in the transport industry,” says Alan Milne, Qantas’ head of environment and fuel.

“We’re huge admirers of the way Tesla has transformed the electric car sector as a premium brand and we look forward to sharing our understanding and advance the work we started in 2012 on biofuels as an alternative to jet fuel.” 

The Tesla looked to be the winner from the start in the race down the three kilometre tarmac at Avalon Airport – south-west of Melbourne – right up until the point the jet took off at 140 knots.

READ: Inside Tesla’s drive to get Australia on the grid »

The Tesla S reached its maximum speed at around 250 kilometres per hour.

All carbon emissions from the race were offset, under Qantas’ Future Planet Program.

Moving forward, regular meetings will occur between both companies to investigate future opportunities around sustainable transport.

Qantas’ Future Planet Program is its corporate sustainability leadership program.

View the Boeing 737 versus Tesla Model S race below: