Qantas launches international flights to New Zealand from Adelaide Airport

Qantas will relaunch international flights from a major Aussie city with direct flights to a cosmopolitan Pacific city and a connecting hop to New York City.

The wineries of South Australia and ski slopes of New Zealand will soon be closer than ever for Aussie and Kiwi holiday-makers with Qantas launching direct flights to Auckland from Adelaide within months.

The inaugural QF175 flight from Adelaide to Auckland will open from October 31, with a launch fare of $699 return in economy.

The route will operate four times a week on a Boeing 737-800 aircraft from October 31 to May 3, 2026, with an approximate flight time of four hours and 15 minutes.

The route also opens up a new pathway to New York City, with a connecting hop on QF3 from Auckland to America’s cosmopolitan jewel.

The flight marks the resumption of international services in and out of Adelaide Airport after Qantas shuttered its QF81 service to Singapore in 2013.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said the route would bring Australians and New Zealanders “even closer” together.

The view of Auckland from Mt Eden. Picture: Supplied

Aussie travellers will have a new way to get to New York City from October. Picture: istock Escape

“It also connects South Australians through to New York City with a single stop, strengthening our bond with

a key economic and AUKUS partner,” he said.

“We hope that this marks the beginning of a long-term commitment by Qantas to grow their international services out of Adelaide.”

Auckland, a city of 1.7 million people, serves as New Zealand’s tourism launch pad.

Key attractions include the iconic Sky Tower, Waiheke Island and the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Adelaide, meanwhile, boasts high-end cuisine, a constant conveyor belt of festivals and events and world-class wineries in the nearby Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley.

New York City, America’s behemoth metropolis, dominates global fashion, business and media.

Qantas’ international play in Adelaide adds to a growing swell of airlines operating international routes in and out of Australia’s fifth largest city.

Qantas crew members hold New Zealand flags by Adelaide’s Torrens River. Qantas will fly direct from Adelaide to Auckland from October this year. Picture: Qantas

The Flying Kangaroo will resume international flights from Adelaide in October. Picture: Qantas

American carrier United Airlines will open flights from Adelaide to San Francisco from December, while China Southern resumed flights from Adelaide to the Chinese city of Guangzhou last December.

The new route also coincides with the opening of Qantas’ new business lounge in Adelaide.

The lounge, designed by Architectus, spans 1016 sqm and holds a capacity for 190 customers.

It features a live cooking station inspired by the city’s famous Central Markets, alongside locally sourced furniture, lighting and natural materials.

Qantas CEO for International Cam Wallace said the lounge would offer a “premium pre-flight experience”.

“For the millions of customers that visit our lounges, we know just how important it is to have a premium preflight experience and we’re so pleased to be bringing this to Adelaide today,” he said.

“The new lounge has been designed based off feedback and the features we know our customers value the most.”

Originally published as Qantas launches international flights to New Zealand from Adelaide Airport