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Qantas is bringing back long-awaited international services from Adelaide with the launch of a seasonal route to Auckland later this year.
The Flying Kangaroo will operate four 737-800 flights per week from 31 October 2025 to 3 May 2026, marking the first time it has flown internationally from the South Australian capital since 2013. It comes as the airline also opens its refreshed domestic lounge at Adelaide Airport.
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“Today we’re celebrating two huge milestones in Adelaide – launching a new direct international flight and our first Qantas Business Lounge at Adelaide Airport,” said Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace.
“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.
“For the millions of customers that visit our lounges, we know just how important it is to have a premium pre-flight experience and we’re so pleased to be bringing this to Adelaide today. The new lounge has been designed based off feedback and the features we know our customers’ value the most.”
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, who had been calling for Qantas to bring back international services in its own right, welcomed the new route. Around 48,000 visitors from New Zealand travelled to South Australia last year, making it the state’s second biggest overseas market, behind the UK and equal to China.
“It is great news that Qantas is re-establishing a direct international flight out of Adelaide with this new service to Auckland. There is no better friend to Australia than New Zealand – and this connection is only set to bring us even closer,” said Premier Malinauskas.
“It also connects South Australians through to New York City with a single stop, strengthening our 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.”
While Qantas does not currently operate mainline international services out of Adelaide, its low-cost subsidiary Jetstar does fly from Adelaide to Bali, and codeshare partner Emirates brought back services from Adelaide to Dubai in late October. Adelaide will also be Emirates’ first international market to see its new long-range A350s.
