In what they a calling a “major” expansion, the Qantas Group have announced additional services between Australia’s east coast and New Zealand. This expansion sees their first international A220 service, a new Jetstar route, and additional flights.
First A220 Service
In February 2026, QantasLink will commence services between Brisbane and Wellington using A220 aircraft. This will be the first time QantasLink will operate its A220 aircraft on an international route.
Initially operating up to three times a week, the A220 will replace the E190 aircraft that currently operate on the route. It will also replace some Boeing 737 services.
According to Qantas International CEO, Cam Wallace:
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.
Jetstar to fly Brisbane to Queenstown
Jetstar will commence flying between Brisbane and Queenstown from June 2026. During the snow season (June – October) they will be operating flights three times a week. Operated by Jetstar’s A320ceo aircraft, it will bring a total of 17,000 seats per year on the route.
In announcing the now route, Jetstar Group CEO, Stephanie Tully said:
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.
More seats
Jetstar and Qantas will add almost 210,000 seats between Australia and New Zealand next year across four routes, including:
Jetstar
- Brisbane – Auckland: increasing from up to ten per week to twice daily (99,000 additional seats per year)
- Melbourne – Christchurch: increasing to daily year-round (26,000 additional seats per year)
- Sydney – Auckland: increasing from up to eight per week to up to 12 per week (79,000 additional seats per year)
Qantas
- Sydney – Christchurch: Up to two additional flights per week during February and March, adding 5,000 seats
