01-Jun-2017 9:23 AM

Qantas And Emirates: Changes To Sydney- Auckland Route

Direct News Source

31-May-2017 Qantas will introduce twice-daily* Airbus A330 flights on the Sydney-Auckland route, as part of operational changes to the joint Qantas-Emirates network across the Tasman.

From 13 July 2017, Emirates will suspend its daily EK418 and EK419 A380 flights between Sydney and Auckland, with those flights replaced by the Qantas A330 services. Qantas will also upgauge some existing B737 flights to A330 where there is demand. The revised schedule will make sure the airlines have the right amount of capacity in the market to meet customer needs.

The new Qantas services are timed to offer seamless connections for New Zealanders travelling via Sydney to destinations in Asia, the United States and South Africa. With the new A330 service, there will also be a higher overall frequency of Qantas flights on the route, suiting the trans-Tasman business market.

The changes mean Qantas' upgraded, two-class wide-body A330-200 aircraft - including a 28-seat Business cabin that's nicknamed "mini First Class" by frequent flyers - will operate as regular services on the trans-Tasman flights for the first time.

Customers can purchase tickets from today on Qantas.com (opens in new window), Emirates.com/au (opens in new window) or through Travel Agents.

*Excluding the Saturday evening SYD-AKL and Sunday morning AKL-SYD services that will be 737 operated.

Comments from Qantas International CEO Gareth Evans:

"One of the advantages of the Qantas-Emirates partnership is the flexibility we have with our combined fleets," Mr Evans said.

We're pleased to offer customers on the Tasman the opportunity to experience our award winning Qantas A330 cabin. It's a popular aircraft with our customers and we're confident it'll be well-received on the Tasman.

"These schedule changes also mean customers travelling to and from New Zealand have more convenient options to connect with the broader Qantas and Emirates network, especially into Asia. We know how important that connectivity is in driving tourism and trade for the New Zealand economy."

Comments from Emirates' Divisional Vice President for Australasia, Barry Brown:

"The Tasman is a dynamic market and we saw the need to optimise capacity on this route in line with changes in demand.

"Our partner Qantas was well positioned to service this route based on current demand and we're pleased to have the flexibility to work with them to offer a service with an aircraft that is more in line with capacity needs.

"In addition to these Tasman services, we're pleased to continue offering Qantas passengers access to a seamless travel experience via Dubai to destinations across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa through our codeshare partnership."

Source: Qantas