Air New Zealand Adds Long-Haul Routes From Christchurch, Plus a Seasonal Queenstown-Brisbane Link
“Air New Zealand is launching new long-haul routes from Christchurch to Singapore, Tokyo and Perth from October 2026, alongside a seasonal Queenstown-Brisbane service starting this winter.”
Air New Zealand will launch three new long-haul routes from Christchurch on Boeing 787-9 aircraft: Singapore from 28 October 2026, Tokyo from 28 November, and Perth from 30 November. Each route will run three times weekly with direct point-to-point service.
A direct link into Queenstown this winter
Closer to home, a seasonal Queenstown-Brisbane service is operating over the winter months from June 2026, adding a direct trans-Tasman option into the resort town during its busiest season. It's part of a wider expansion of Australia-New Zealand connectivity, with more direct trans-Tasman services also expected between Wellington and Sydney.
The Christchurch routes sit alongside other 2026 network growth for the airline, including new Auckland services to New York using Boeing 787-9 aircraft with Skynest economy sleep pods, and a new Dallas Fort Worth-Auckland route operated by American Airlines over the northern winter.
