Qantas has announced two new services out of Auckland alongside the imminent opening of a new lounge at the city’s airport as a trans-Tasman rivalry with Air New Zealand heats up.
The Australian airline will launch new routes to Samoa and the Gold Coast from mid-2026. Both services will operate three times a week and will begin from June 16, with tickets going on sale today.
Qantas International and Freight chief executive Cam Wallace said Auckland was one of the airline’s most important international hubs.
“These announcements show the scale of investment and growth we’re making in New Zealand,” he said.
“Combined with our new Auckland lounge soon to open and this weekend’s launch of flights to Perth, we’re giving Kiwi travellers more choice and premium experiences than ever before.”
The airline’s inaugural Auckland to Perth service took off on Sunday and Qantas’ new international lounge at Auckland Airport will open on December 17.
It will be the first time Air New Zealand faces competition on the route to Apia since Samoa Airways stopped flying it in 2022.
Air New Zealand and Jetstar currently operate services between Auckland and Gold Coast.
