Traversing the Tasman Sea between New Zealand and Australia, a journey marked by stunning scenery is a common passage for travelers seeking adventure, business opportunities, or reunions with loved ones.
These two neighboring nations, with their shared history and interconnected economies, are linked by a network of air routes connecting major cities and regional hubs. From the bustling cities of Auckland and Sydney to the scenic landscapes of Christchurch and Brisbane, each location offers its own unique blend of experiences. The data in this article relates to April 2024 and is sourced from ch-aviation, an aviation knowledge database.
Trans-Tasman travel
Trans-Tasman air travel boasts a rich history dating back to the early 20th century when aviation pioneers first envisioned connecting the shores of New Zealand and Australia by air. The inaugural flight between the two nations occurred in 1928, when Australian aviator Charles Kingsford Smith, in his iconic aircraft, the Southern Cross, journeyed from Sydney to Auckland.
Despite the challenges posed by the distance and unpredictable weather patterns over the Tasman Sea, the allure of faster and more efficient travel spurred the development of commercial air routes between the two countries.
Over the decades, advancements in aviation technology – such as the introduction of jet aircraft and the expansion of airport infrastructure – have transformed Trans-Tasman air travel into a vital link fostering tourism, trade, and cultural exchange between New Zealand and Australia.
Today, this historic connection continues to thrive, with numerous airlines offering regular flights catering to diverse passenger needs and preferences. In this article, we’ll look at flights from New Zealand’s three largest cities (Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch) to three major cities in Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane).
Destination: Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD)
The busiest Trans-Tasman route is between Auckland Airport (AKL) and SYD, in Australia’s largest city, Sydney. There are 14 daily flights from AKL to SYD, with flights lasting between 3 hours 30 minutes and 4 hours 5 minutes. The main airlines operating this route are flag carriers Qantas and Air New Zealand, as well as low-cost carrier Jetstar Airways.
China Eastern Airlines and LATAM Airlines also have flights connecting the two cities, with the former’s onward connection heading to Hangzhou, China, and the latter’s to Santiago, Chile.
Qantas uses the Boeing 737-800 and B787-9 on this route, while Air New Zealand uses its fleet of Airbus A320neo and B777-300(ER) aircraft. Jetstar Airways operates the A320, while China Eastern Airlines and LATAM Airlines use the A330-200 and the B787-9, respectively.
The second most popular route between New Zealand and Sydney is from Christchurch International Airport (CHC). It is served by four daily flights, shared between Qantas, Air New Zealand, and Emirates.
Flight times range from 3 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 40 minutes. The Australian flag carrier uses the B737-800, while its New Zealand counterpart uses the A320neo. Emirates, on the other hand, operates the A380 for the flight, which has an onward connection from SYD to Dubai.
The route from Wellington International Airport (WLG) to SYD is served by three flights a day. Qantas operates the B737-800 on this route and Air New Zealand the A320neo. The typical flight time between these two cities is 3 hours 40 minutes.
In summary:
| Route | Flight Time |
| AKL-SYD | 3 hours 30 minutes – 4 hours 5 minutes |
| CHC-SYD | 3 hours 15 minutes – 3 hours 40 minutes |
| WLG-SYD | 3 hours 40 minutes |
Destination: Melbourne Airport (MEL)
Melbourne Airport (MEL), in Australia’s second-largest city, is served by eight daily flights from AKL. Like the AKL-SYD route, Qantas, Air New Zealand, and Jetstar Airways are the major players on this route.
The flight takes between 4 hours and 4 hours 20 minutes. Qantas operates only the B737-800 on this route, while Air New Zealand uses the B777-300(ER), B787-9, A320neo, and A321neo. Jetstar Airways uses the A320.
There are three flights a day from CHC to MEL, taking roughly 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours. Qantas, Air New Zealand, and Jetstar Airways each operate one out of the three flights on this route. Qantas uses the B737-800, Air New Zealand uses the A320neo, and Jetstar Airways uses its A320.
Both flag carriers serve the WLG-MEL route, each offering one flight a day. The flight time is approximately 4 hours. Like the CHC-MEL route, Qantas operates its B737-800, while Air New Zealand flies the A320neo.
In summary:
| Route | Flight Time |
| AKL-MEL | 4 hours – 4 hours 20 minutes |
| CHC-MEL | 3 hours 45 minutes – 4 hours |
| WLG-MEL | 4 hours |
Destination: Brisbane Airport (BNE)
Brisbane Airport (BNE) serves the capital city (of the same name) of the Australian state of Queensland. Like between AKL and MEL, there are eight flights per day on the AKL-BNE route, which has a duration of around 3 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours 55 minutes.
Aside from the usual suspects – Qantas, Air New Zealand, and Jetstar Airways – China Airlines also operates this route. Qantas uses the B737-800 and A330-200 to fly between AKL-BNE, while Air New Zealand operates the A321neo and B787-9. For a change, Jetstar Airways uses the A321neo instead of the A320 on this route. China Airlines uses the A350-900 for the flight, which has an onward connection to Taipei, Taiwan.
The CHC-BNE route is similar to WLG-MEL, in which both flag carriers operate once-a-day flights: Qantas on the B737-800 and Air New Zealand on the A321neo. Another similarity is that both flights take around 4 hours.
The Australia and New Zealand flag carriers also connect WLG and BNE with one 4-hour flight a day each. What’s unique about this flight compared to all the others in this article is that, instead of using an Airbus or Boeing aircraft, Qantas operates an Embraer E190 jet on this route. Air New Zealand uses the A321neo.
In summary:
| Route | Flight Time |
| AKL-BNE | 3 hours 40 minutes – 3 hours 55 minutes |
| CHC-BNE | 4 hours |
| WLG-BNE | 4 hours |
