Qantas ramps up NZ services, will have more trans-Tasman flights than Air NZ

Monday, 26 May 2025

Qantas is increasing its flights across the Tasman for summer.

It will have more flights between Australia and New Zealand than any other carrier in New Zealand.

The increased flights will see a 20% increase in capacity between December 15, 2025 and January 26, 2026.

Qantas will soon have more flights between Australia and New Zealand than Air New Zealand.

The airline will boost its capacity across the Tasman by up to 20% for the summer holidays between December 15, 2025 and January 26, 2026.

The additional flights provide 60,000 more seats compared to the same time last year.

Flights to and from Sydney will increase by six flights a week from Auckland, seven flights from Christchurch and five additional flights will be added to the Wellington schedule (a 31% increase).

Between Melbourne and Auckland, there will be up to seven more flights a week, Christchurch will have another three flights, and Queenstown another two, up 50%.

The Brisbane-Queenstown route will also get three more flights a week, a 75% increase, while Brisbane-Christchurch will see another two flights a week, up 40%.

The increases in flights will see Qantas operate more than 3.3 million seats across the Tasman between January 2025 and January 2026.

Christchurch is the only centre to see an uplift of three routes with the new flights timed to connect seamlessly with Qantas’ international services from Australia to destinations across Asia and Europe.

Christchurch Airport chief executive Justin Watson said it shows Qantas recognises the strength of the Christchurch and the South Island market.

“These extra flights are a win for tourism, trade and travel. They’ll help businesses thrive and give Kiwis even more options.”

Wellington Airport chief executive Matt Clarke said it was great news for travellers because it means more competition and choice at the busiest time of the year.

“More capacity for travellers coming into Wellington is great news for our tourism industry as well.

“The Qantas team is doing fantastic work to grow New Zealand’s travel markets by adding capacity where it’s needed most. Qantas is our largest international airline by some distance now and we can’t wait to see more of our Aussie neighbours.

“This follows increases to the Melbourne service and an upgraded Brisbane service. In total, Qantas will be operating 65% more seats for December and January than they were before the pandemic.

“Based on current schedules Qantas and Jetstar will be operating two-thirds of Wellington’s trans-Tasman capacity over the busy peak summer period. The onward connections to Asia and beyond make the Qantas group a very convenient choice for travellers.”

Qantas will soon introduce its Boeing 787 Dreamliner on flights between Auckland and Brisbane three times a week from August, introducing premium economy to the route and increasing premium seat choices for customers by up to 80%.

The Dreamliner service will increase to daily from October 2025. It will be Qantas’ second trans-Tasman 787 service, in addition to flights between Auckland and Sydney as part of the airline’s service to New York.

Qantas Group, which includes Jetstar, has been propelling itself into the New Zealand market this year. Already this month it announced new Auckland to Perth and Auckland to Adelaide routes. Qantas’ Auckland lounge is undergoing a refurbishment, to be finished in 2026.

Meanwhile, three new trans-Tasman routes for Jetstar are still to launch: Hamilton to Gold Coast, Dunedin to Gold Coast and Hamilton to Sydney.

Auckland Airport chief customer officer Scott Tasker said the additional Qantas capacity was a strong signal of ongoing demand for travel between the two countries.

“With increased services to Sydney and Melbourne, the new seasonal service to Adelaide, the return of Perth flights and the introduction of the Dreamliner on Auckland–Brisbane, the expansion enhances connectivity and supports our efforts to rebuild international seat capacity.

“It’s also a positive step for regional tourism, providing greater access and opportunity for visitors to experience more of what New Zealand has to offer.”

Tourism New Zealand regional director - Australia, Andrew Waddel, said it was exciting to see even greater choice for Australian travellers who are heading across the Tasman over the holiday period.

“With an increase across all four major ports, there are even more options for travellers to kick-start their Aotearoa New Zealand getaway,” he said.

“We know Australians are interested in exploring the country's tranquil coastlines, world-class cycling trails and unique food and wine, and the longer days and warmer weather make it a fantastic time of year to experience it all and more.

“We welcome the increase in capacity from Qantas and look forward to our Australian friends experiencing all Aotearoa New Zealand has to offer.'

Auckland Airport has been working with Tātaki Auckland Unlimited and RotoruaNZ to attract more Australian visitors with a dual-region North Island destination proposition, with numbers climbing to 92% of pre-Covid levels between February 2024 and February 2025 – equivalent to a further 110,000 additional Australian visitors.

International travel through Auckland Airport contributes $3.6 billion annually to regional New Zealand

In 2019 Australian visitors made up 40% of all visitor arrivals to New Zealand. This has now increased to 42% (as of December 2024).