Qantas has today unveiled its new Auckland lounge and announced two new international routes from New Zealand, with year-round services from Auckland to Samoa and the Gold Coast from next Jun.
The new flights will add more than 100,000 seats annually to QF’s New Zealand network. The AKL to OOL route will operate three times weekly from 16 Jun, and make QF the only airline offering business class between the two cities, it adds. The launch of flights from Auckland to Apia marks the first QF international flight from New Zealand to the Pacific Islands—making Samoa more accessible than ever for Kiwi travellers, says the carrier.
. . . Lounge Update
At the same time QF is preparing to open the doors to its new International Lounge at Auckland Airport on 17 Dec. The footprint of 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.
QF Platinum One and Platinum Frequent Flyers will have access to a new dedicated dining area featuring seasonal menus and signature first lounge dishes by QF creative director of food, beverage and service, Neil Perry. Passengers will be able to charge up and stay connected before their flight with 70% of seats fitted with charging points. It has 15 showers for customers to freshen up during long-haul journeys, particularly those transiting on the popular direct AKL-New York service.
. . . QF Building EnZed
The announcements come after the launch of QF’s AKL-Perth service, which offers connections on the airline’s direct services to London, Paris and Rome from Perth. This is in addition to increased capacity during peak periods including Christmas and Apr school holidays, plus daily New York services throughout Jun, which were announced earlier this year. QF international ceo Cam Wallace says AKL is one of the airline’s most important international hubs and these announcements show the scale of investment and growth QF’s making in New Zealand. “Combined with our new Auckland lounge soon to open and this weekend’s launch of flights to Perth, we’re giving Kiwi travellers more choice and premium experiences than ever before.”
. . . The Details
The new AKL to OOL 737 flights, will operate year-round on a Tue, Thu and Sat, departing AKL at 1020 and arriving in Gold Coast at 1200. Launch fares are from $320. The new year-round Auckland to Apia will be operated by 737 aircraft three times per week on Tue, Thu and Sun as a continuation of Sydney-Auckland services. The inaugural flight will also take off 16 Jun, with one-way fares from $370. See photos HERE.
