Qantas Group used 6 January to announce its biggest trans-Tasman capacity boost in five years, adding almost 210,000 seats between Australia and New Zealand for the 2026 financial year. Headlining the package is the first international deployment of Qantas’ new Airbus A220, which will begin flying Brisbane–Wellington from February 2026, replacing Embraer E190s and some 737 services.
Jetstar, the group’s low-cost arm, will launch a new Brisbane–Queenstown service from June 2026 and increase frequencies on Brisbane–Auckland, Melbourne–Christchurch and Sydney–Auckland. Combined, the moves give Queenslanders non-stop access to New Zealand’s leading ski gateway and raise group capacity on key leisure and VFR (visiting-friends-and-relatives) routes by 35 percent.
For corporates, the A220 introduces lie-flat business-class seats on a market previously served by narrow-body aircraft without premium beds, offering greater comfort on the three-hour hop. The fuel-efficient twin-jet is expected to cut per-seat emissions by up to 28 percent, supporting sustainability targets that many travel-procurement policies now monitor.
![Qantas unveils trans-Tasman expansion and first A220 international service]()
Whether you’re coordinating corporate trips or group ski holidays across the Tasman, VisaHQ can streamline visa and Electronic Travel Authority requirements for both Australia and New Zealand. The online portal (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) consolidates up-to-date entry rules, simplifies digital applications and provides real-time tracking, helping travel managers keep travellers compliant as new flight options come online.
Travel-management companies should note that the extra inventory will soften spot-fares in both cabins and provide more redemption availability for frequent-flyer upgrades during peak ski and summer periods. With the Tasman one of Australia’s top corporate corridors, greater frequency also improves same-day return options for meetings on either side of the ditch.
The announcement underscores the group’s post-pandemic strategy: deploy next-generation aircraft on short-haul international routes while using Jetstar to stimulate price-sensitive leisure demand. Competitors Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia are expected to counter with fare sales, offering buyers additional leverage in 2026 contract negotiations.
Jetstar, the group’s low-cost arm, will launch a new Brisbane–Queenstown service from June 2026 and increase frequencies on Brisbane–Auckland, Melbourne–Christchurch and Sydney–Auckland. Combined, the moves give Queenslanders non-stop access to New Zealand’s leading ski gateway and raise group capacity on key leisure and VFR (visiting-friends-and-relatives) routes by 35 percent.
For corporates, the A220 introduces lie-flat business-class seats on a market previously served by narrow-body aircraft without premium beds, offering greater comfort on the three-hour hop. The fuel-efficient twin-jet is expected to cut per-seat emissions by up to 28 percent, supporting sustainability targets that many travel-procurement policies now monitor.
Whether you’re coordinating corporate trips or group ski holidays across the Tasman, VisaHQ can streamline visa and Electronic Travel Authority requirements for both Australia and New Zealand. The online portal (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) consolidates up-to-date entry rules, simplifies digital applications and provides real-time tracking, helping travel managers keep travellers compliant as new flight options come online.
Travel-management companies should note that the extra inventory will soften spot-fares in both cabins and provide more redemption availability for frequent-flyer upgrades during peak ski and summer periods. With the Tasman one of Australia’s top corporate corridors, greater frequency also improves same-day return options for meetings on either side of the ditch.
The announcement underscores the group’s post-pandemic strategy: deploy next-generation aircraft on short-haul international routes while using Jetstar to stimulate price-sensitive leisure demand. Competitors Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia are expected to counter with fare sales, offering buyers additional leverage in 2026 contract negotiations.
