Qantas, the Australian flag carrier, has recently announced a new seasonal non-stop direct service between Adelaide, South Australia, and Auckland, New Zealand. This marks the second time in a few weeks that Qantas has introduced a new route to New Zealand, with the first being the Perth-Auckland route. The new Adelaide-Auckland service will operate from October 31 to May 3, covering the Southern Hemisphere summer season.
Qantas currently serves 14 domestic destinations with its mainline aircraft, including Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney, and also operates to several regional destinations through its subsidiary, QantasLink. The airline will now resume international travel at Adelaide Airport after a long absence. The only competition on the Adelaide-Auckland route will come from Air New Zealand, which has operated the route year-round for many years. Qatar Airways and Jetstar Airways have also previously operated on this route.
The new Qantas service will operate four times a week using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, adding 30,000 additional seats to the route. This summer, Adelaide Airport will welcome two new international carriers, with United Airlines announcing a seasonal service from San Francisco. This will be the first time a US carrier will serve the city.
Qantas Group CEO International Cam Wallace stated that the new route will not only provide direct access to Auckland but also open up connections to New York via Auckland. Passengers bound for New York can now access a one-stop itinerary with Qantas through its unique Sydney-Auckland-New York service. Qantas has a significant presence at Auckland Airport, and passengers can access the Emirates or Strata Lounge during the renovation of the Qantas Lounge.
The new route also presents competition for Air New Zealand’s flagship route to New York. This will benefit passengers with potentially more competitive fares between Australia and the United States. Other routes to the US include indirect services with Qantas or Fiji Airways via Nadi.
Adelaide Airport will also see the re-opening of the new Domestic Business Lounge, marking the final stage of the airport’s Lounge precinct. The lounge features artwork and design from iconic South Australian locations and uses local produce in its live cooking station. Qantas has also sourced furniture and materials from the local JamFactory. The new lounge covers over 10,000 feet and is located past the security screening point. International passengers can also access the Qantas Business Class lounge, but they will need to pass through immigration facilities before entering the international section of the terminal.