iscover
Jetstar will launch flights from Brisbane to the Cook Islands next year, marking the 35th international destination for Brisbane.
Starting in May 2026, Jetstar will fly three times per week return from Brisbane to Rarotonga using its A321neo LR fleet. This is the sixth new international route Jetstar has announced from Queensland in the past six months, and the carrier is the state’s largest international airline.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
“Queensland is at the heart of Jetstar’s international growth, and we’re thrilled to be launching direct flights from Brisbane to the breathtaking island of Rarotonga, a true South Pacific gem,” Stephanie Tully, chief executive of Jetstar Group, said.
“This new route builds on the incredible demand we’re seeing out of Queensland, with six international services launched or announced in just six months.
“When these flights start in May 2026, Jetstar will be providing more than 110,000 seats each year to and from the Cook Islands. We’re proud to work with our partners including the Cook Islands Government, to give more Australians the chance to experience this incredible destination.”
Gert-Jan de Graaff, chief executive of Brisbane Airport, hailed the “great-value tickets” from Jetstar, which is the airport’s second largest international airline after Qantas.
“With the launch of Rarotonga, our 35th international destination, we’re not just adding a new route, we’re strengthening Brisbane’s position as the gateway to paradise,” he said.
“Brisbane offers Australia’s largest network of direct flights to South Pacific destinations, which is vital for supporting tourism, trade, and cultural connections.”
Mark Brown, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, has also welcomed the new Jetstar service.
“Tourism is the backbone of the Cook Islands’ economy, contributing approximately 75 per cent of the country’s GDP. The new services from Jetstar will provide a major boost to our tourism sector and the financial impact for local tourism operators and the nation will be positive,” Brown said.
“We are delighted that Jetstar is making this commitment to the Cook Islands, and Cook Islanders are always ready to welcome Australian visitors with open arms and warm smiles.”
Jetstar has in recent months announced or launched services from the Gold Coast to Bali, Hamilton (New Zealand), and Dunedin; from Cairns to Christchurch; and from Brisbane to Cebu (Philippines) and now Rarotonga.
Jetstar in July 2023 became the first Australian carrier to fly non-stop to the Cook Islands since the cancellation of an Ansett service in the early 1990s when it launched flights to Rarotonga from Sydney. The only other carrier to have offered a direct service in recent years is Air New Zealand.
