Queenstown today welcomed its first direct Jetstar flight from Brisbane, giving New Zealanders a new low-fare option to one of Australia's most popular destinations, and strengthening the air connection between two of the southern hemisphere's great leisure regions.

The inaugural service touched down at Queenstown Airport full of excited customers, reflecting strong demand in both directions for a direct, low-fares link between Queensland and New Zealand's alpine south. 

The seasonal route will operate three times a week from June to October on Jetstar's Airbus A320 fleet, with the flight taking under four hours. 

This marks Jetstar’s fourth direct trans-Tasman route launch in under a year, following the popular addition of Dunedin to Gold Coast, Hamilton to Gold Coast, and Hamilton to Sydney. In October, the carrier will begin flights from Christchurch to Perth - the only direct low-fares connection between New Zealand’s South Island and Western Australia.  

Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully said: 
“Today's first flight is a great moment for Queenstown and for travellers on both sides of the Tasman. 

“New Zealanders now have a direct, low-fare route to Queensland’s main gateway, whether that's for a sunny family holiday, long weekend, or a smooth connection to our expansive Asia network. And Australians can explore Queenstown and the wider South Island more easily than ever before. 

“This is part of our biggest trans-Tasman expansion yet, and we're proud to be deepening the connection between these two incredible destinations.”

Queenstown Airport CEO Shane O’Hare said:
“It’s fantastic to welcome Jetstar’s first direct flight from Brisbane to Queenstown today. This new service creates a great new option for local travellers, while making it even easier for Australians to visit us. Strong demand for the inaugural flight shows just how valuable this connection is, and we’re excited to see it take off over the winter season.”

Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff, said:
“Queenstown has never been more accessible, with low fares making a spontaneous weekend escape easier than ever for Queenslanders, and for Kiwis looking for a dose of winter warmth. New Zealand is Brisbane’s biggest two-way international market, drawing 1.3 million passengers over the past year.”