(NEWS) MASCOT, Australia, 2025-Sep-11 — /Travel PR News/ — The Qantas Group has unveiled a major trans-Tasman expansion, announcing the launch of Qantas’ first A220 international service between Brisbane and Wellington as well as a new Jetstar route connecting Brisbane and Queenstown. Beginning in February 2026, the A220 aircraft will replace existing E190 and some Boeing 737 services, flying up to three times weekly with improved fuel efficiency, modern cabin features, and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi. From June 2026, Jetstar will introduce direct flights between Brisbane and Queenstown, offering three weekly services during the snow season and more than 17,000 low-fare seats annually. In total, Qantas and Jetstar will add nearly 210,000 extra seats across the Tasman in 2026, with capacity increases on routes including Brisbane–Auckland, Melbourne–Christchurch, Sydney–Auckland, and Sydney–Christchurch. Executives from both airlines emphasized the expansion’s role in enhancing customer choice, strengthening tourism, and supporting economic growth across Australia and New Zealand, with the Qantas Group set to provide almost 800,000 more seats in the 2026 financial year compared with the year prior.
Beyond the trans-Tasman network, Qantas is broadening its domestic and international reach with a series of new services. From September 2025, QantasLink will launch direct flights from Perth to Newcastle and reinstate Perth–Hobart flights, adding over 77,000 annual seats while strengthening connectivity for Western Australia’s resource sector and leisure market. Christchurch will see a 20% summer uplift in trans-Tasman flights, with additional services to Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane providing a boost for both inbound and outbound tourism. Internationally, new routes from Perth to Auckland and Johannesburg will commence in December 2025, adding more than 155,000 annual seats and enhancing Perth’s position as a growing global hub. Meanwhile, Brisbane–Los Angeles will benefit from daily Boeing 787 Dreamliner flights starting in October 2025, increasing premium capacity, while the Brisbane–Palau service will be extended following strong demand, cementing Qantas’ strategy of combining mainstream routes with unique destinations to drive tourism and economic growth.
