Jetstar will resume direct flights between Sydney and Christchurch (New Zealand) from 26 October 2026, offering the only low-cost option between the NSW capital and the South Island’s biggest city.
The carrier is marking the return with a 48-hour sale, with one-way fares from $229 on sale now until 10am AEST Saturday 27 June, unless sold out earlier.
The service will operate four times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
JQ141 will depart Sydney at 12.30pm, arriving in Christchurch at 5.40pm. The return leg, JQ140, will depart Christchurch at 9.10am, arriving in Sydney at 10.40am.
The schedule is subject to change, and flights remain subject to regulatory approval.
Why Christchurch, and who it suits
Christchurch, known as New Zealand’s garden city, is the gateway to the South Island – and the new route opens up a value entry point for clients chasing skiing, road trips and scenery without a transit.
The new Jetstar service should also help boost tourism to Sydney (and beyond) in Australia’s biggest inbound market.
The Sydney resumption arrives a day before Jetstar launches Christchurch to Perth on 27 October, which will make it the only low-fares carrier connecting Western Australia direct to the South Island. It also comes as Jetstar grows its domestic footprint, having been confirmed to fly Western Sydney International’s first-ever passenger flight in October 2026.
KARRYON UNPACKS: A returning trans-Tasman route with a sharp launch fare is an easy sell into one of Australia’s most reliable outbound markets. Paired with the new Christchurch to Perth service, Jetstar is building a low-fares South Island network across two Australian gateways within a day of each other.
