Two Rival Airlines Are Splitting Up Because of a Third

Qantas and Air New Zealand have been selling seats on each other’s domestic flights since June 2018, but that arrangement now has an end date. Qantas says the codeshare will finish on 7 April 2027. The deal let Qantas sell seats on Air New Zealand services inside New Zealand, and let Air New Zealand do the same on Qantas domestic flights in Australia. Trans-Tasman and other international flights were never part of it.

The reason is a third airline. Air New Zealand is planning a new strategic alliance with Virgin Australia, and Qantas is winding up its own agreement as a result. Neither carrier has framed the change as a dispute, but the timing makes clear that Australia’s two largest airlines are choosing sides in the Tasman market ahead of a busier 2027.

For travelers, the practical effect is limited and well signposted. Bookings made before 7 April 2027 are not affected, and eligible members can keep using Air New Zealand lounges. For codeshare flights on or after that date, Qantas or your travel agent will move the itinerary onto an Air New Zealand flight number, so the trip itself stays intact even though it will no longer be sold under a Qantas code.

Loyalty members are protected too. Qantas Points and Status Credits will still be earned on those rebooked flights, matching what the original booking would have earned. Classic Reward seats on Air New Zealand flights can be booked up until 6 April 2027, the day before the partnership formally ends, so anyone holding points for New Zealand domestic trips has a clear deadline to plan around.

Sources: Executive Traveller