Qantas will introduce two new international routes from Perth to Auckland and Johannesburg beginning in December 2025. These new flights mark the airline’s continued international expansion and will connect Western Australia more directly with New Zealand and South Africa. Flights are already available for booking.
The Perth to Johannesburg route is scheduled to launch on December 7, 2025, while the Perth to Auckland route will begin on December 8, 2025. Both routes will operate three times each week using Qantas A330 aircraft. Each plane will offer 27 business class seats configured in a 1-2-1 layout that allows direct aisle access and lie-flat beds, along with 224 economy seats. The flight from Perth to Auckland, designated as QF111, will operate every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday and will take around 6 hours and 45 minutes. The Perth to Johannesburg service, QF65, will fly every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday with a flight time of about 11 hours and 15 minutes.
These new routes will add over 155,000 seats each year in and out of Perth. The added capacity is expected to create jobs, help the Western Australian economy, and bring more tourists to the region. According to Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace, “We’re so excited to be launching two new international routes, unlocking more options and greater choice for all Australians to connect to the world through our growing network.”
Auckland and Johannesburg flights
Wallace added that the direct flights to Auckland and Johannesburg will benefit both Western Australia and the rest of the country by boosting tourism, supporting employment, and improving domestic and global connectivity. “Our new Perth to Auckland route offers a convenient one-stop connection for West Australians to New York via Auckland on our popular QF3 service while the new direct flight to Johannesburg provides a vital connection for customers in Perth to visit popular cities like Cape Town through our partnership with Airlink,” he said.
The addition of these services comes as a result of increased border service capacity, made possible through federal government funding to Australian Border Force and the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry. Perth Airport will now be able to support more international operations through improved staffing, equipment, and biosecurity infrastructure.
Wallace acknowledged the cooperation involved in making the new flights possible. “We would like to thank Perth Airport, Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry, and Australian Border Force in working together to make these new flights possible.”
More aircraft and adjusted schedules
Qantas also confirmed that it will introduce the Boeing 787 Dreamliner on daily Brisbane to Los Angeles flights starting in October 2025. This will allow more Premium Economy options for travelers in Queensland. Additional changes will be made in collaboration with American Airlines, including adjustments to the Brisbane and Melbourne schedules during December 2025 and January 2026.
Qantas will operate four flights per week between Brisbane and Los Angeles during that period, while American Airlines will operate three weekly flights. Starting February 2026, Qantas will resume daily Boeing 787 services on that route. During the same period, Qantas will also upgrade its Melbourne to Dallas service to a daily flight using its 787 aircraft.
Jetstar will stop its Sydney to Honolulu service after the final flight on October 24, 2025. Qantas will take over this route, offering between five to six weekly flights. This follows the successful launch of Qantas flights from Melbourne to Honolulu, which continues to draw demand.
Qantas has also confirmed that its final A380 will return to service. This aircraft will fly daily between Sydney and Dallas Fort Worth starting in January 2026. The return of the A380 will increase the number of premium seats—First, Business, and Premium Economy—on this route.
Perth Airport’s Chief Commercial and Aviation Officer Kate Holsgrove welcomed the addition of the new routes. “The launch of two new Qantas international services to Perth is great news for Western Australia,” she said. She emphasized that expanding the capacity at Terminals 3 and 4 would allow Qantas to grow services to and from Western Australia. Holsgrove added, “Creating additional capacity within Terminal 3 and Terminal 4 will allow Qantas to add or expand their services to Western Australia and is an important interim measure as we build new terminal facilities at Airport Central so Qantas can relocate in 2031.”
With more destinations, improved connections, and support from government agencies and airport partners, Qantas continues to grow its operations in Perth, reinforcing its commitment to Western Australia and strengthening global links.
