The two biggest airlines on either side of the Tasman are going their separate ways. Qantas and Air New Zealand will end their codeshare and frequent flyer partnership on 7 April 2027, as Air New Zealand prepares a deeper alliance with Virgin Australia. For travellers, the change mainly affects domestic connections in Australia and New Zealand, loyalty points and lounge access.
Here is what is changing, what stays the same and what to do if you have bookings or points.
What the partnership covered
Launched in June 2018, the Qantas-Air New Zealand deal let Qantas sell its own flight numbers on Air New Zealand's domestic flights within New Zealand, and Air New Zealand do the same on Qantas domestic flights within Australia, according to Executive Traveller. Trans-Tasman and other international flights were not included.
For Qantas Frequent Flyer members, the partnership meant earning points and status credits on those Air New Zealand flights and booking Classic Reward seats with points. Eligible members could also use Air New Zealand lounges.
What Qantas is telling passengers
According to Qantas's own website and Executive Traveller's 12 October report:
- The partnership ends on 7 April 2027. From then, Qantas codeshare flights operated by Air New Zealand will no longer be available to book.
- Travel before 7 April 2027 is not affected, and eligible members can keep using Air New Zealand lounges until then.
- If you hold a Qantas codeshare booking on an Air New Zealand flight on or after 7 April 2027, Qantas or your travel agent will move it to a flight with an Air New Zealand flight number. Qantas Frequent Flyer members will still earn the points and status credits they would have earned on the original booking.
- Qantas Classic Flight Reward seats on Air New Zealand will be available until 6 April 2027.
Why it is happening
Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia have applied to expand their existing partnership. According to Australian Aviation, the plan would give each airline's frequent flyers greater access to the other's reward seats and extend codesharing beyond trans-Tasman routes. In a joint statement, the airlines said that, if authorised, the expanded partnership is expected to provide "additional loyalty benefits and seamless connectivity to a broader range of destinations". The deal still needs regulatory approval.
An Air New Zealand spokesperson said that, if approved, Virgin Australia would become its main partner for domestic flights within Australia, adding that around 90% of Air New Zealand customers connecting onto domestic flights in Australia travel to destinations Virgin Australia serves.
Qantas, for its part, says more customers now fly direct. A Qantas spokesperson told Australian Aviation that Qantas and Jetstar have increased trans-Tasman capacity by 35% and added a dozen new direct routes since 2018, and that Air New Zealand accounts for around 0.09% of Qantas Frequent Flyer reward seat bookings.
Who is affected
- Qantas Frequent Flyer members who fly Air New Zealand domestically in New Zealand. After 7 April 2027 you will not be able to earn Qantas points on those flights or redeem Qantas points for them.
- Travellers who use Air New Zealand lounges with Qantas status. That benefit ends with the partnership.
- Air New Zealand customers connecting within Australia. If the Virgin deal is approved, Virgin Australia is expected to become the main option for one-ticket connections.
- Trans-Tasman flyers. Direct flights between Australia and New Zealand were never part of the deal, so Qantas, Jetstar and Air New Zealand flights across the Tasman are not directly affected.
What to do now
- Check bookings after 7 April 2027. If you hold a Qantas-numbered ticket on an Air New Zealand flight, expect a schedule change notice. You should still earn the points and status credits you originally expected.
- Use your points for Air New Zealand rewards before the cut-off. Classic Flight Reward seats on Air New Zealand can be booked through Qantas until 6 April 2027.
- Plan lounge access. If you rely on Air New Zealand lounges with Qantas status, they remain available until the partnership ends.
- Watch the Virgin-Air New Zealand approval. If it goes ahead, Velocity and Airpoints members could gain new ways to earn and redeem.
- Compare networks for regional New Zealand trips. Qantas and Jetstar may not fly to the regional New Zealand airport you need. After April, connecting to smaller towns may mean booking Air New Zealand separately.
FAQ
When does the Qantas-Air New Zealand partnership end? On 7 April 2027.
Will my existing booking be cancelled? No. Travel before 7 April 2027 is unaffected. Codeshare bookings from that date will be moved to Air New Zealand flight numbers, and Qantas Frequent Flyer members will still earn the original points and status credits.
Can I still use Air New Zealand lounges with Qantas status? Yes, until the partnership ends.
Are trans-Tasman flights affected? Not directly. The partnership covered domestic flights in each country, not flights between Australia and New Zealand.
