In a major boost for Western Australia’s global connectivity, Qantas has unveiled two new international routes, linking Perth directly with Auckland and Johannesburg from December 2025. The strategic expansion reinforces Perth’s role as a growing international gateway and injects over 155,000 new seats annually into the state’s aviation network.
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Tickets are on sale now for the new services, which will operate three times a week using Airbus A330 aircraft. Each flight will offer 27 lie-flat Business Class seats and 224 Economy seats. The Perth–Auckland route launches on 8 December and the Perth–Johannesburg route on 7 December.
These additions mark a significant milestone in Qantas’ post-pandemic recovery and its commitment to bolstering Australia’s ties across the globe. The new routes expand the airline’s international reach to more than 100 destinations and support its growing domestic network, offering greater choice and convenience for travellers.
Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace said the new routes will open up new tourism, trade and employment opportunities for Western Australia.
“We’re thrilled to launch these two new international routes that not only connect Perth to key global cities, but also provide vital links to our broader domestic and international networks,” Wallace said. “The new flights create valuable inbound tourism opportunities for WA and offer convenient onward travel, including one-stop connections from Perth to New York via Auckland and seamless access to cities like Cape Town via our partner Airlink.”
The new services are made possible by a Federal Government investment in border infrastructure, enabling Australian Border Force and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to scale up operations at Perth Airport. This funding will support new staffing, facilities, and biosecurity measures, allowing the airport to accommodate increased international traffic.
Perth Airport’s Chief Commercial and Aviation Officer, Kate Holsgrove, welcomed the announcement.
“These new Qantas routes reinforce Perth’s position as a vibrant and expanding international hub. We’re committed to working with our airline partners to increase connectivity and unlock more opportunities for the local tourism sector and Western Australian travellers,” she said. “Our investment in interim terminal upgrades ahead of Qantas’ relocation to Airport Central in 2031 is key to facilitating this growth.”
Additional International Updates
Qantas has also confirmed a daily Boeing 787 Dreamliner service between Brisbane and Los Angeles starting October 2025, enhancing premium seat availability and introducing more options in Premium Economy for Queenslanders.
To manage demand over the 2025/26 summer period, Qantas and American Airlines will jointly operate seven weekly Brisbane–Los Angeles flights (four by Qantas, three by American Airlines). Qantas will also increase Melbourne–Dallas flights to daily during this peak season.
In another shift under the Group’s dual-brand strategy, Jetstar will withdraw from the Sydney–Honolulu route on 28 October 2025, with its Dreamliner aircraft redeployed to other Asian destinations. Qantas will increase its Honolulu services, maintaining up to six weekly flights from Sydney and recently launched services from Melbourne.
Finally, the airline confirmed that its last Airbus A380 will return to service in January 2026, deployed on daily Sydney–Dallas flights, boosting premium cabin availability on this key route.
Route Details
- Perth–Johannesburg (QF65): Launches 7 December 2025; three weekly flights (Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday); approx. 11h15m.
- Perth–Auckland (QF111): Launches 8 December 2025; three weekly flights (Monday, Wednesday, Saturday); approx. 6h45m.
Both routes will be serviced by Airbus A330 aircraft equipped with Business Class lie-flat beds and direct aisle access.
