Qantas Introduces Airbus A220 to International Route
Qantas has announced its first international route featuring the new Airbus A220-300 aircraft, selecting Wellington, New Zealand, as the destination. Starting as early as next February, the Australian carrier will operate the A220s from Brisbane to Wellington up to three times a week. This development is a part of Qantas’ broader trans-Tasman expansion, which will add over 200,000 seats on flights to and from New Zealand in the upcoming year through routes operated by both Qantas and Jetstar.
Qantas A220s Set for International Operations
Operating under the Qantaslink feeder brand through its regional subsidiary, National Jet Services, the A220-300 was initially intended to replace the Embraer E190 between Darwin and Singapore. The airline ultimately opted to use the Boeing 737-800 for that route. However, Qantas has now confirmed that the Brisbane to Wellington service will mark the A220’s international debut with the carrier.
Cam Wallace, CEO of Qantas International, highlighted the aircraft’s strong customer satisfaction scores and expressed excitement about offering this upgraded experience for international travelers from Brisbane to Wellington.
Expansion Across the Tasman Sea
The A220 is noted for being significantly more fuel-efficient and offering enhanced passenger comfort with design features such as large windows, ample overhead space, and fast, free Wi-Fi. Meanwhile, Jetstar, the low-cost wing of the Qantas Group, will launch a new route from Brisbane to Queenstown in June, focusing on ski tourism, with fares starting at AU$249 ($164.50).
In total, almost 210,000 seats will be added across four trans-Tasman routes in 2026. Specific plans for Qantas include a 5,000-seat increase between Sydney and Christchurch, while Jetstar plans to expand seat availability significantly on routes including Brisbane and Sydney to Auckland and Melbourne to Christchurch.
Qantas’ Airbus A220-300 Fleet Overview
The Qantas fleet includes seven Airbus A220-300 aircraft currently, averaging 1.1 years old, with 22 additional units on order.
| Class Of Travel | Seats | Pitch |
|---|---|---|
| Business | 10 | 37 inches |
| Economy | 127 | 30 inches |
The A220-300 features a dedicated business class cabin offering comfort with 20-inch wide seats, five inches of recline, and wireless charging capabilities.
Domestic Operations Under Qantaslink
Currently, Qantas operates 1,246 A220-300 flights domestically under the Qantaslink brand, with the Melbourne to Brisbane route being the most frequented. This particular service also marks the A220’s longest route for Qantas, covering 857 miles (1,379 km).
