Singapore Airlines A380 Returns to Auckland as Air New Zealand Launches New Christchurch Services
(IN SHORT) Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines are expanding their joint New Zealand-Singapore network for the Northern Winter 2026 season, running from 25 October 2026 to 27 March 2027. The expansion includes three new weekly Air New Zealand non-stop services between Singapore and Christchurch using Boeing 787 aircraft, complementing Singapore Airlines’ existing Christchurch operations of up to 12 weekly flights. During the peak months from November 2026 to February 2027, the two airlines will operate 15 weekly services between Singapore and Christchurch. Air New Zealand will also add four weekly Auckland services using Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft, while Singapore Airlines will restructure its Auckland schedule to two daily flights and deploy the Airbus A380 on daily SQ285 and SQ286 services. The A380 will offer 471 seats across Suites, Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy Class. Overall, the Air New Zealand-Singapore Airlines alliance will increase seat capacity between Singapore and New Zealand by 17% from late October 2026, adding 72,000 seats and bringing total seat capacity to more than 490,000 during the season. The expanded network is designed to support rising travel demand, improve connectivity through Singapore and provide more options for travellers from Asia, Europe, the UK and beyond.
(PRESS RELEASE) SINGAPORE, 2026-May-28 — /Travel PR News/ — Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand will significantly expand their joint network between Singapore and New Zealand for the Northern Winter 2026 season, increasing capacity into Auckland and adding new non-stop Air New Zealand flights to Christchurch.
The expanded schedule will operate from 25 October 2026 to 27 March 2027 and reflects continued demand for travel between Singapore and New Zealand, as well as onward connections across Asia, Europe and other major international markets. Customers will benefit from more flight options, improved connectivity and a wider selection of premium travel experiences across the joint network.
Singapore Airlines will adjust its Auckland schedule from three daily flights to two daily services and deploy the Airbus A380 on daily SQ285 and SQ286 services during the season, replacing the Boeing 777-300ER on those flights. The A380 will offer 471 seats across four cabin classes, including six Suites, 78 Business Class seats, 44 Premium Economy Class seats and 343 Economy Class seats, providing enhanced comfort and additional capacity for travellers between Singapore and Auckland.
Air New Zealand will add four weekly Auckland services, operated with Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 aircraft. The airline will also launch three weekly services between Singapore and Christchurch during the Northern Winter season using Boeing 787 aircraft. These new services will complement Singapore Airlines’ existing Christchurch operations of up to 12 weekly flights. Together, the two airlines will operate 15 weekly services between Singapore and Christchurch during the peak months from November 2026 to February 2027.
With these changes, the Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand alliance will increase overall seat capacity between Singapore and New Zealand by 17% from late October 2026. The expansion will add 72,000 seats, bringing the total number of seats across the joint network to more than 490,000 during the Northern Winter 2026 season.
Michael Williams, Chief Operations and Alliances Officer at Air New Zealand, said the expansion reflects the strength of the airline’s partnership with Singapore Airlines. He said the Northern Winter schedule gives customers more travel options, whether they are visiting New Zealand for business, leisure or to reconnect with friends and family.
Williams added that Singapore’s role as a global hub enables travellers to access New Zealand from South East Asia, India, the United Kingdom, Europe and beyond. He said the introduction of Air New Zealand’s Christchurch services is especially important because it creates more options for visitors travelling to New Zealand’s South Island while keeping them connected to Singapore Airlines’ wider global network.
Dai Haoyu, Senior Vice President Marketing Planning at Singapore Airlines, said the long-standing partnership with Air New Zealand continues to serve strong demand for travel between Singapore and New Zealand, as well as onward journeys across the Singapore Airlines global network. He said the deployment of the Airbus A380 to Auckland, with its larger capacity and enhanced travel experience, demonstrates Singapore Airlines’ commitment to the market and complements Air New Zealand’s additional capacity.
Under the Auckland schedule, Singapore Airlines will operate daily Singapore-Auckland flights using both Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A380 aircraft. Air New Zealand will operate its existing daily Singapore-Auckland Boeing 777-300ER service and add four weekly Boeing 787-9 services between Singapore and Auckland from 26 October 2026 to 27 March 2027.
For Christchurch, Singapore Airlines will continue operating Airbus A350-900 long-haul services, including daily flights and additional frequencies during peak periods. Air New Zealand will operate Singapore-Christchurch Boeing 787-9 services three times weekly, with schedules varying across the season.
Flights are now available for booking, with the expanded Northern Winter schedule subject to regulatory approval.
SOURCE: Singapore Airlines
