Qantas Group has announced a major trans-Tasman expansion including Qantas’ first Airbus A220 international service between Brisbane and Wellington and a new direct Jetstar route from Brisbane to Queenstown next year.
As part of the expansion, the Qantas Group will add hundreds of thousands of additional seats between Australia and New Zealand, providing more choice and convenience for customers and supporting tourism and economic growth in both markets.
From February 2026, Qantas will begin flying its state-of-the art A220 aircraft on flights between Brisbane and Wellington, marking the first time the aircraft will fly on an international route.
The A220 will initially operate up to three times a week, replacing the E190 aircraft that currently operate on the route, as well as some Boeing 737 services.
The new aircraft is significantly more fuel efficient than previous generation aircraft and offers customers a more comfortable travel experience with a light and bright cabin design, large windows and overhead lockers and fast free WiFi available on flights.
Jetstar will begin direct flights between Brisbane and Queenstown from June 2026, with the service operating three times a week during the snow season (June to October) on Jetstar’s A320 aircraft.
Alongside the key changes, Jetstar and Qantas will add almost 210,000 seats between Australia and New Zealand next year across four routes.
On services from Sydney to Christchurch, Qantas will add up to two additional flights per week during February and March, adding 5,000 seats, while Jetstar will increase flights from Brisbane to Auckland, Melbourne to Christchurch and Sydney to Auckland.
Qantas International CEO, Cam Wallace, said this additional capacity builds on the significant growth the Qantas Group announced between Australia and New Zealand earlier this year, including new routes and additional seasonal capacity.
He said the growth will see the Qantas Group offer nearly 800,000 more seats in the 2026 financial year compared to the previous year.
“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,” Wallace said.
“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.”
Jetstar Group CEO, Stephanie Tully, added: “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,” she said.