QANTAS will launch a new Auckland-Perth service and trans-Tasman schedule as the joint Qantas and Emirates network opens for bookings.
The new service will operate during the holiday season with a twice-weekly A330 service from early December this year through to February 1, 2014.
Among a suite of trans-Tasman schedule enhancements aimed at providing more convenience and better connections for New Zealand travellers, Qantas has retimed its existing Christchurch-Sydney service to a morning departure enabling more international connections from Sydney.
Qantas Group chief executive officer Alan Joyce said the new Qantas schedule is one of many benefits to flow from the Qantas and Emirates partnership in New Zealand.
“With the joint Qantas and Emirates network now open for bookings, New Zealanders have access to aligned fares, codeshare services and frequent flyer benefits. The new Qantas and Emirates schedule offers around 130 services per week from Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown across the Tasman to a joint network covering more than 175 destinations in Australia, Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, the UK and Europe.
“New Zealanders now have full advantage of the joint network that complements the comprehensive trans-Tasman schedule and world class travel experiences including lounges, frequent flyer benefits, a new luggage allowance of 30 kilos for economy passengers and a vast range of international destinations,” added Alan.
Emirates Airline president Tim Clark said the code-sharing, aligned fares and frequent flyer benefits would all add value for the customers of both Emirates and Qantas.
“Through the partnership, the Emirates network has now been opened up to include Queenstown and Wellington in New Zealand in addition to the 55 destinations in Australia already on offer to our customers,” said Tim.