Qantas is turning up the heat for summer travel between Australia and New Zealand, announcing a significant boost in flight capacity for December 2025 and January 2026.
The major trans-Tasman capacity lift will add around 60,000 extra seats over the two months, delivering up to 20 per cent more capacity between the two nations as well as greater flexibility and options for those looking to explore Aotearoa during the peak holiday season. The extra capacity should also help ease pressure on Trans-Tasman airfares.
The boost includes significant jumps on popular routes, with Brisbane–Queenstown up by 75 per cent and Melbourne–Queenstown increasing by 50 per cent.
Other increases include Sydney–Christchurch (47%), Sydney–Wellington (31%) and Melbourne–Auckland (23%).
In total, Qantas will offer more than 3.3 million seats across the Tasman over the year to January 2026.
Brissie boost
Additionally, Qantas will also introduce Boeing 787 Dreamliner flights between Brisbane and Auckland from August 2025.
This move will bring Premium Economy to the route and increase the number of premium seats by 80 per cent.
The upgauged BNE-AKL service starts at three times weekly, going daily from October 2025.
Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace said the carrier has seen “huge growth” for New Zealand in 2025, “from the announcement of two new Qantas routes to the refurbishment of our Auckland lounge well underway and the upcoming launch of three more new trans-Tasman routes for Jetstar”.
“Today we’re so pleased to offer even more Tasman flying for customers, which will mean Qantas will have the most frequency between Australia and New Zealand at one of the busiest travel periods of the year,” he added.
“This capacity boost represents almost 60,000 more seats compared to last summer, giving our customers additional choice and more convenience as well as supporting tourism and economic growth in both markets.”
Kiwi convenience
Tourism New Zealand Regional Director – Australia Andrew Waddel said it is “exciting to see even greater choice for Australian travellers”.
“With an increase across all four major ports, there are even more options for travellers to kick start their Aotearoa New Zealand getaway,” he remarked.
“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.”
In a recent interview with Karryon in NZ, Wadell said that although Aussies were travelling to New Zealand year-round, there is still a “slight peak [in travel] in the summer of about 30%” from Australia – so the Qantas capacity rise should serve that demand well.
Fairer fares?
Flight Centre Corporate Managing Director ANZ Melissa Elf calls the boost, along with Qantas’ resumed Adelaide-Auckland service, “very positive news” for capacity and costs.
“Auckland is the most travelled international destination among Australian corporates in 2025 to date, but despite the growing demand for trans-Tasman travel, the destination is seeing decreased levels of airline capacity and higher airfares than 2024, according to new data revealed by the flagship FCM Travel and Corporate Traveller arms of Flight Centre Corporate,” she states.
“Return economy fares between our two nations have increased by about three per cent in the first quarter of this year, compared to the same quarter last year.”
Despite this, Elf says Aussie NZ-bound travel is tracking well this year.
“Squeezed capacity and higher costs haven’t been deterring travellers, of which we have seen a 10 per cent uplift in trans-Tasman travel in the first quarter of 2025 year on year,” she adds.
“These additional flights will go a long way in improving the constraints we’re seeing in supply and the growing cost of travel to one of our most important trade partners.”
Tasman schedule changes – 15 December 2025 to 26 January 2026
| Route | Current schedule | Seasonal summer change |
| Sydney – Auckland | 35 flights per week (Boeing 737 only) | Up to 6 additional flights per week |
| Sydney – Christchurch | 14 flights per week | Up to 7 additional flights per week |
| Sydney – Wellington | 14 flights per week | Up to 5 additional flights per week |
| Melbourne – Auckland | 28 flights per week | Up to 7 additional flights per week |
| Melbourne – Christchurch | 11 flights per week | Up to 3 additional flights per week |
| Melbourne – Queenstown | 4 flights per week | Up to 2 additional flights per week |
| Brisbane – Queenstown | 4 flights per week | Up to 3 additional flights per week |
Last week, the flying kangaroo announced it would resume nonstop international flights from South Australia, with the inaugural Adelaide–Auckland flight taking off on 31 October 2025. The returned service adds more than 30,000 seats between the two capital cities with launch return economy fares from $699 for travel on selected dates between 31 October 2025 and 28 March 2026.
Earlier this month, Qantas also announced the resumption of its Perth–Auckland service, taking off again from December 2025 and now available to book. The route will operate thrice weekly on Qantas’ A330 aircraft with 27 business class seats and 224 economy seats.
