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QantasLink’s A220-300 fleet will see its first international route next year with the launch of a trans-Tasman service from Brisbane to Wellington.
The 137-seat regional aircraft will replace the existing Embraer E190s on the service, as well as some 737s, starting in February 2026. Qantas is also planning to increase Sydney-Christchurch by up to two additional flights per week during February and March next year.
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The first international route for QantasLink’s A220s was planned to be Darwin-Singapore starting 26 October, which is currently being flown by 737s; it is now unclear when the A220 will be introduced on the service.
“Today marks a significant milestone for the Qantas Group across the trans-Tasman, with our A220 aircraft making its debut on the Qantas international network and both airlines adding hundreds of thousands of seats,” said Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace.
“The A220 is our newest aircraft and has some of the highest customer satisfaction scores in the fleet, so we’re particularly excited to be offering the experience to customers travelling internationally from Brisbane-Wellington next year.
“2025 has been a huge year of growth already for the Qantas Group in New Zealand, and this latest expansion will provide even more choice and convenience for customers, as well an important boost for tourism economies on both sides of the Tasman.”
Gert-Jan de Graaff, CEO of Brisbane Airport, said Brisbane is “proud to be the home of the first international deployment of the Qantas A220”.
“Its arrival marks a significant step toward the future of aviation, delivering quieter operations and lower emissions,” he said.
According to Wellington Airport chief executive Matt Clarke, the move by Qantas is “great news for travellers because it means more competition and choice”.
“We are excited to welcome Qantas’ first ever international service using an A220-300. This is a truly next-generation aircraft with features that passengers will love – we’ve had our eyes on the A220 ever since Qantas announced their entry into the fleet,” he said.
“Qantas is Wellington’s largest international airline by some distance and it’s fantastic to see them continuing to grow their market share in New Zealand.
“Including increases to the Melbourne service and an upgraded Brisbane service, Qantas will be operating around 50 per cent more seats in the summer peak from Wellington than they were in 2020.”
Qantas has been contacted for comment.
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says:The A220-300 is a top unit and QF group Execs are right to enthusiastically expound the value of it to all concerned. However, instead of seriously looking after their customers by ensuring them of its better comfort and conditions for the customers in this case they have dropped the ball and have clearly indicated to intending passengers that maybe QF’s attention is drawn more to revenue than the customer’s comfort and wellbeing. My reference point is the QantasLink Aircraft Seat Map A220-300. It shows that there are 10 JCL seats: I ask, do the passengers in row 3DF get a discount on their fare as their seats are halfway into the ECY cabin, ? likewise therefore, do the passengers in row 4AC pay a premium as that area is halfway into the JCL cabin!?. Further investigation shows that the seat rows 4DEF thru to 8DEF have been moved closer to each (reduced seat pitch) to accommodate that little devil JCL row 3DF in which case the 15 pax concerned are paying the same ECY fare as the balance of pax in that cabin but getting far less for their money; – not looking good there chaps and lassies, inviting complaints!! – we are also advised that Bassinets are not available but, if you take out JCL Row 3DF, re-align the Rows 4 thru 8 as above you can replace the curtain barrier with a bulkhead which will accommodate Bassinets, better customer service! – At the same time, please make certain that the curtain between JCL/ECY cabin when in flight is kept closed. Us plebs down the back take no glee in watching the affluent swallowing Clicquo whilst we await our luke warm coffee in a paper cup and of course that little packet of often broken biscuits, if you are lucky enough to ask for a wine, the most likely reply will be, sorry Sir there is no bar service on this sector??? Lastly and seriously, since this A/C type will clearly be used on longer sectors, again for customer comfort why not take out Row 29AC and replace it with another Toot? Come on Qantas Group, you can do better than what you are doing.