{"id":160495,"date":"2026-10-13T07:01:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T01:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=160495"},"modified":"2026-10-13T03:40:03","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T22:10:03","slug":"air-new-zealand-dumps-qantas-partnership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/13\/air-new-zealand-dumps-qantas-partnership\/","title":{"rendered":"Air New Zealand Dumps Qantas Partnership for Virgin Australia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

CANBERRA\u2014<\/strong> Qantas (QF)<\/a> will end its codeshare partnership with Air New Zealand (NZ)<\/a> on April 7, 2027, closing a cooperation arrangement that has allowed passengers to connect across the two airlines\u2019 domestic networks. The move comes as Virgin Australia (VA)<\/a> seeks regulatory approval to expand its existing partnership with Air New Zealand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The proposed expansion could significantly change airline partnerships across the Tasman Sea, particularly for members of Qantas Frequent Flyer<\/a> and Virgin Australia\u2019s Velocity program. However, the wider Virgin Australia\u2013Air New Zealand agreement still requires regulatory approval in Australia and New Zealand before the proposed benefits can be implemented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: By Eric Salard – https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/airlines470\/17232473348\/, CC BY-SA 2.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=40059712<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Qantas Partnership with Air New Zealand Ends<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Qantas has confirmed that its codeshare arrangement with Air New Zealand will conclude on April 7, 2027. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the existing agreement, Qantas places its flight code on selected Air New Zealand domestic services within New Zealand, while Air New Zealand can market selected Qantas-operated domestic flights in Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The arrangement has enabled eligible Qantas Frequent Flyer members to earn Qantas Points<\/a> and Status Credits on qualifying Air New Zealand domestic flights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Members have also been able to redeem points for eligible Classic Flight Rewards and access certain Air New Zealand lounges under the partnership\u2019s conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Qantas has outlined transitional arrangements for passengers with existing bookings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel before April 7, 2027, will remain unaffected, while eligible Qantas codeshare bookings for travel on or after that date will be transferred to Air New Zealand flight numbers, with Qantas or the relevant travel agent handling the changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Passengers with affected bookings will retain the Qantas Points and Status Credits they would have earned under their original eligible reservations. Qantas Classic Flight Reward seats on Air New Zealand services will remain available for booking through April 6, 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Aero Icarus | Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Virgin Australia Expands Deal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand already maintain a codeshare partnership covering selected services between Australia and New Zealand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The proposed expansion would introduce a broader reciprocal arrangement, extending codeshare opportunities across trans-Tasman routes and connecting domestic services, subject to the agreement\u2019s terms and regulatory approval.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Velocity members, the proposed deal could introduce the ability to earn Velocity Points across Air New Zealand\u2019s network. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It would also provide access to Air New Zealand Reward Seats, potentially giving members more options to redeem points than the existing arrangement allows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The proposed partnership also includes reciprocal frequent-flyer benefits, such as eligible lounge access, priority check-in and additional baggage allowances for qualifying status members. Air New Zealand\u2019s Koru members would receive corresponding benefits when travelling on eligible Virgin Australia services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The proposed arrangement would exclude certain services, including Virgin Australia flights operated under its Qatar Airways wet-lease arrangement between Australia and Doha. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The airlines would also exclude overlapping services from parts of the proposed codeshare network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Aero Icarus | Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Regulatory Approval Pending for Codeshare<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia submitted an application to expand their codeshare agreement in September 2026. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The proposal requires consideration by Australia\u2019s competition regulator, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), as well as authorisation from New Zealand\u2019s transport authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The regulatory process will determine whether the airlines can proceed with the expanded cooperation and its proposed commercial terms. The application seeks authorisation for a five-year arrangement if approved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Qantas Frequent Flyer members, the end of the existing partnership will remove eligible points-earning, reward-booking and lounge-access opportunities on Air New Zealand domestic flights from April 7, 2027, Flight Hacks<\/a> flagged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Velocity members, meanwhile, could gain access to a wider range of international and domestic connections if regulators approve the expanded agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The transition marks a significant change in the airlines\u2019 partnership structure, although the final scope and timing of the proposed Virgin Australia\u2013Air New Zealand benefits depend on the regulatory outcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join us on\u00a0Telegram Group\u00a0<\/a>for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on\u00a0Google News<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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