Qantas pitches Adelaide to Auckland flights with one-stop connection to New York
Qantas is pitching a one-stop connection to New York with new Adelaide international flights – and offering special fares, while also revealing a new domestic business lounge. See the pictures and video here.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Qantas is pitching its first international flights from Adelaide in more than a decade as opening up a one-stop connection to New York as it moves to counter rival United’s pioneering direct service to San Francisco.
As revealed by The Advertiser, Qantas flights to Auckland will take off from October, in the flying kangaroo’s first international links from Adelaide since 2013.
A return economy launch fare of $699 will apply from October 31 to 2025 to December 12, then from January 19 next year to March 28.
Announcing the four times per week seasonal service to Auckland, Qantas Group chief executive officer Qantas International Cam Wallace highlighted the one-stop link to the United States via direct Auckland to New York (JFK) flights.
“This is fantastic news for our South Australian customers who will have access to a direct international flight to Auckland as well as opening up connections to New York via Auckland,” he said.
“It’s great for tourism and it’s great for Kiwis to be able to experience everything that we have here in South Australia.”
Mr Wallace also confirmed there were no further international flight announcements at this stage but said: “Where we see demands and good returns we will make a decision.”
“At Qantas, we’ve seen really strong demand across the Tasman so we’re really happy with that market,” he said.
“It will also give South Australians the opportunity to see New Zealand.
“What we see is South Australia totally committed to growth in the tourism sector … we see a vibrant tourism economy.”
Qantas also unveiled its first domestic business lounge in Adelaide, which features a market kitchen, inspired by the Adelaide Central Market, and serving food created by Neil Perry and Maggie Beer.
United Airlines in April revealed it would launch an Adelaide to San Francisco route – the state’s first direct US connection – starting in December as a seasonal service with 15-hour, thrice-weekly flights of a 257-seat Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
The Advertiser on Thursday revealed the Qantas Auckland service – the carrier’s first direct international flight operated out of Adelaide Airport since QF81 to Singapore departed in April 2013.
The route will operate seasonally, initially from October 31 to May 3 next year, four times per week on a Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
Adelaide to Auckland will operate as QF175 on Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday with an approximate flight time of four hours and 15 minutes. The domestic business lounge spans 1016 sqm and has capacity for 190 people.
Hailing as “great news” that Qantas was re-establishing a direct international flight from Adelaide, Premier Peter Malinauskas said connecting New York with a single stop would strengthen the state’s “bond with a key economic and AUKUS partner”.
“We hope that this marks the beginning of a long-term commitment by Qantas to grow their international services out of Adelaide,” he said.
“This is a really exciting day for tourism in our state, for a couple of reasons, but none more so than it’s great to have flying kangaroos servicing Adelaide as an international destination.
“We know that Kiwis love travelling to Australia … increasingly, they’re looking at South Australia as a destination where people can enjoy themselves and also engage in business.”
He said Qantas’ commitment signalled growing confidence in the local economy: “Qantas don’t make a decision or investment like this one unless they know that South Australia’s economy is heading in the right direction.
“We really look forward to an ongoing partnership with one of the most important and largest airlines.”
Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison added, “48,000 New Zealanders come to South Australia every single year … because they love connecting to nature … they love our great food and wine and our events and festivals.”
Adelaide Airport managing director Brenton Cox said: “We’re excited to welcome Qantas international services back to Adelaide, offering both a direct service to Auckland and opening up an excellent one-stop connection with New York.
“We also welcome the wonderful new business lounge, featuring great local produce in keeping with Adelaide Airport’s overall retail philosophy to showcase the best of South Australia.”
Mr Cox said the Qantas domestic business lounge’s opening marked the final stage in construction of the airport’s new Adelaide Lounge precinct.
More Coverage
Originally published as Qantas pitches Adelaide to Auckland flights with one-stop connection to New York
Join the conversation
Major row: Yachties furious over ‘hypocritical’ Lake Eyre ban
As Queensland floodwaters continue to fill Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, yachties are threatening to defy a new ‘hypocritical’ recreation ban.
Read more
‘We wanted this girl’: Trio on trial for alleged nightclub gang rape
She was ‘18, drunk, alone and vulnerable’. These three men are now on trial for allegedly taking turns raping her and filming it on their phone.
Read more