Qantas launches Perth-Johannesburg, Perth-Auckland direct flights

Qantas has launched a direct service between Perth Airport (PER) and Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport (JNB).

The announcement, made on December 5, 2025, also coincided with the Australian flag carrier inaugurating flights linking Perth and Auckland Airport (AKL), marking a significant expansion of the airline’s western Australian hub

Flight QF65 departed Perth Airport in the afternoon of December 7, 2025, bound for Johannesburg, establishing the first direct connection between Western Australia and South Africa for Qantas. 

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Earlier that morning, Perth Airport welcomed QF112 from Auckland, the first Qantas service connecting New Zealand with Western Australia.

According to Qantas, the expansion adds more than 150,000 seats annually through Perth and strengthens the city’s position as a gateway connecting three continents. 

Federal support enables growth

Qantas said that the new routes were made  possible through federal funding to Australian Border Force and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry for additional border services at airports. The funding allowed Perth Airport to invest in staffing, equipment, and facilities to  increase border and biosecurity capacity.

Cam Wallace, Qantas International CEO, said that customer response has been strong since the routes were announced in May 2025.

“Today marks a significant milestone for Perth as our direct service to Johannesburg takes off and we welcome the arrival of the first direct flight from Auckland,” Wallace said. “The response from customers since we announced these routes in May has been terrific. Today’s inaugural flight to Johannesburg is almost full and we’re seeing positive forward bookings, so we know there is strong appetite for direct travel between the West [Australia] and South Africa, as well as Auckland.”

Wallace noted the routes provide connections to Cape Town through Qantas’s partnership with Airlink in South Africa, and allow West Australians to reach New York via Auckland.

Australian Tourism Minister Don Farrell said the expansion benefits travelers, tourism operators, and exporters.

“More international flights in and out of Perth means more choice for Australian travellers, more customers for our local world class tourism operators and more opportunities for Aussie exporters. These new flights will bring tourists to Perth, create jobs and help grow our economy,” Farrell said.

Trans-Tasman connection

Andrew Waddel, Tourism New Zealand’s Regional Director for Australia, highlighted the significance for the 75,000 New Zealanders living in Western Australia.

“With this new direct route from Perth to Auckland, travellers will enjoy greater flexibility and convenience, and for Aotearoa New Zealand, greater connection to Australia and the world,” Waddel said. 

“We’ve seen a 17% year-on-year increase of Australian holiday arrivals into New Zealand, so this exciting update, alongside several other new route announcements from Qantas this year, only adds to our momentum. Not only is it a win for Australians who love to travel, but also the 75,000 Kiwis who call Western Australia home, making it even easier to get back home to visit whānau (family) and friends,” Waddel continued.

Gold Coast returns to international service

Qantas also announced the return of international flights from the Gold Coast Airport (OOL), with direct service to Auckland beginning June 16, 2026. The route marks the first Qantas international service from the Gold Coast in nearly five years and will add more than 52,000 seats annually.

The Gold Coast to Auckland service will operate three times weekly year-round on Boeing 737 aircraft. Qantas will be the only airline offering business class on the route.

Additionally, Qantas will launch flights from Sydney Kingsfordsmith International Airport (SYD) to Apia’s Faleolo International Airport (APW), Samoa via Auckland, operating on alternate days to the airline’s direct Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Samoa service. This creates near daily Qantas connectivity between Australia and Samoa.

John Warn, CEO of Experience Gold Coast, welcomed the announcement.

“The return of Qantas international flights from the Gold Coast is welcome news for our city and tourism industry,” Warn said. “217,000 Kiwis chose to visit the Gold Coast in the year ending June 2025 and the new Qantas service between the Gold Coast and Auckland will make it even easier to cross the ditch and experience the best of our destination.”

New Auckland lounge

Coinciding with the route announcements, Qantas said it plans to open a new international lounge at Auckland Airport on December 17, 2025. The new lounge is 60% larger than the previous space, with capacity for more than 370 customers across dedicated zones for dining, relaxing, and working.

#image_titleRoute details

Perth to Johannesburg operates three times weekly on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday using Airbus A330 aircraft with 27 business class and 224 economy seats. Flight time is approximately 11 hours and 15 minutes.

Perth to Auckland operates three times weekly on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday with the same A330 configuration. Flight time is approximately six hours and 45 minutes.Gold Coast to Auckland will operate three times weekly on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday aboard Boeing 737 aircraft starting June 16, 2026. 

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