Qantas and Jetstar are ramping up their trans-Tasman services, with new routes and extra flights set to roll out from next year.
From February 2026, Qantas will operate its first international A220 service between Brisbane and Wellington. The aircraft will fly up to three times a week, replacing the Embraer E190s and some Boeing 737s currently used on the route.
Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace said the A220’s debut across the Tasman was a milestone for the group.
“Today marks a significant milestone for the Qantas Group across the trans-Tasman, with our A220 aircraft making its debut on the Qantas international network and both airlines adding hundreds of thousands of seats, including a brand-new route for Jetstar.
“The A220 is our newest aircraft and has some of the highest customer satisfaction scores in the fleet, so we’re particularly excited to be offering the experience to customers travelling internationally from Brisbane-Wellington next year.
“2025 has been a huge year of growth already for the Qantas Group in New Zealand, and this latest expansion will provide even more choice and convenience for customers, as well an important boost for tourism economies on both sides of the Tasman.”
The A220 is described as more fuel-efficient than previous aircraft, with a lighter cabin, larger windows and free Wi-Fi.
In June 2026, Jetstar will begin direct flights between Brisbane and Queenstown. The service will run three times a week during the snow season, using A320 aircraft. The airline says it will add more than 17,000 seats a year.
Jetstar Group CEO Stephanie Tully said the route responded to increasing demand for direct connections.
“Queenslanders and New Zealanders now have even more ways to connect, with the launch of our new flights between Brisbane and Queenstown.
“This new route reflects the growing demand for direct, low fares travel from Australia to top international leisure destinations.
“This is the fifth trans-Tasman service Jetstar has launched or announced this year – and our seventh new international route out of Queensland – making 2025 Jetstar’s biggest Queensland and Tasman expansion yet.
“We’re working closely with the New Zealand Government to manage rising costs in the market and thank them for their commitment to ensuring sustainable growth for air travel to and within New Zealand – providing more choice for customers.”
Alongside the new routes, almost 210,000 extra seats will be added across the Tasman next year.
Jetstar’s changes include:
- Brisbane–Auckland services increasing to twice daily (adding 99,000 seats a year)
- Melbourne–Christchurch becoming daily year-round (26,000 extra seats)
- Sydney–Auckland increasing to 12 flights a week (79,000 extra seats)
Qantas will also add up to two extra Sydney–Christchurch services a week during February and March, totalling around 5,000 additional seats.
In total, the Qantas Group expects to offer nearly 800,000 more seats across the Tasman in the 2026 financial year compared to the previous year.
