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Qantas and Jetstar ramp up NZ flight schedule ready for trans-Tasman reopening

Qantas and Jetstar are gearing up to reunite families and friends and take tourists across the Tasman following confirmation that New Zealand will reopen for quarantine free travel to all Australian travellers next month, just in time for the Easter holidays.

Qantas and Jetstar are gearing up to reunite families and friends and take tourists across the Tasman following confirmation that New Zealand will reopen for quarantine free travel to all Australian travellers next month, just in time for the Easter holidays.

New Zealand travel is back from 13 April and Qantas and Jetstar have confirmed they will operate up to 30 return flights per week across the Tasman on five routes, up from the two return flights a week currently being operated.

Prior to COVID, Qantas and Jetstar operated more than 170 return services a week between Australia and New Zealand.

Qantas will fly daily from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney to Auckland and Sydney to Christchurch with a mix of its Boeing 737s and wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft

Jetstar will operate three weekly flights from the Gold Coast to Auckland using its Airbus A320 aircraft.

Qantas and Jetstar say they will further increase flights during May and June and resume flights from Australia to Queenstown and Wellington.

Connections are available on Jetstar’s New Zealand domestic network of more than 60 return flights per week to five destinations.

Trans-Tasman flights also connect with Qantas’ Australian domestic flight routes and its extensive international network.

New Zealand
Canyon Explorers – Adventure Group. Image: Destination Queenstown.

Qantas Domestic and International CEO Andrew David said Australians have waited a long time for news that they could travel freely across the Tasman again.

“Qantas and Jetstar are gearing up to help Australia reconnect with New Zealand after more than two years apart, and one short travel bubble,” Mr David said.

“New Zealand was Australia’s second-biggest source of international visitors before the pandemic, and Australians were the biggest source of visitors to New Zealand, so this is an important milestone as part of the recovery for both countries.

“With restriction-free travel possible from next month for Australians, we look forward to rebuilding our trans-Tasman flights,” Mr David concluded.

Qantas First Lounge Sydney
Qantas First Lounge Sydney

Eligible frequent flyers heading across the Tasman will be able to enjoy pre-flight time in Qantas’ Sydney and Melbourne International First and Business lounges as well as the Brisbane International Lounge.

Qantas Frequent Flyers who are passionate about reducing their carbon footprint should check out the airline’s new Green membership tier.

Qantas continues to offer a Fly Flexible booking policy with unlimited flight date changes available on trans-Tasman flights booked before 30 June for travel until 31 December 2022 (fare difference may apply).

For more information, visit qantas.com.au.