Air New Zealand adds major seat boost across short-haul routes from Australia for summer
The airline has upped its capacity from October to March 2026 for short-haul routes across the Tasman and to the Pacific islands, with a total of 1.7 million seats ready to be filled.
For the Perth-Auckland route alone, Air New Zealand is offering an extra 30,000 seats as it increases from seven to nine flights per week over the summer months.
The boost from the largest trans-Tasman carrier also involves the deployment of more wide-body aircraft on key routes, 8 per cent more premium seats and enhanced availability to connect travellers from Auckland to the Pacific islands.
Air New Zealand chief commercial officer Jeremy O'Brien says more aircraft are in service than ever before to meet demand from guests venturing across the ditch.
'This isn't just about flying more often. It's about giving our customers better options, more comfort, and more reasons to choose Air New Zealand,' Mr O'Brien says.
'We're expanding our premium offering and strengthening our network across the Tasman and onto the Pacific.
'Air New Zealand has a proud 85-year history of flying across the Tasman — our first flight to Sydney took off in 1940 and we're incredibly proud of that longevity. Our commitment to keeping Australians connected to Aotearoa is as strong as ever.'
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