QANTAS: Perth to Auckland and Johannesburg plus some shedule and aircraft shuffles

Qantas is re-establishing two international routes out of Perth, one to Auckland in New Zealand and one to Johannesburg, South Africa. Both routes start from December 2025.

Perth direct to Auckland

Qantas last flew this route between Perth and Auckland in 2014. As part of its exit from New Zealand, it cancelled the route. So, it will resume the route in December 2025, ending an 11-year absence.

Tickets on the Perth/Auckland route commencing on 8 December are on sale now. The three days a week flights will be operated using an Airbus A330 with 27 business class seats (in a lie-flat 1-2-1 layout) and 224 economy seats. Flight time is just shy of 7 hours at 6h 45m.

• QF111 departs Perth 17:00 arrives Auckland 04:50 (Mon, Wed, Sat (6h 45m flight time)
• QF112 departs Perth 08:30 arrives Auckland 11:00 (Tues, Thur, Sun (6h 45m flight time)

Business class sale airfares are running at around AU$2,365 return in December, compared to Air New Zealand at closer to AU$3,000.

Perth flyers could also link up with QF3 which would take them on from Auckland to New York.

Perth direct to Johannesburg

Qantas has not flown this route for 20 year, since back in 2005. The route will recommence on December 7 2025, with tickets also on sale now. The 11h 15 m route will be serviced by an A330 with the same configuration as for the Auckland route.

• QF65 Departs Perth 13:30 arrives Johannesburg 18:45 same day (Tues, Thu, Sun)
• QF66 Departs Johannesburg 21:35 arrives Perth 13:30 same day (Tues, Thu, Sun)

Fares for Business Class are running high at nearly AU$9,000 in December. A partnership with Airlink can take passengers on to Cape Town.

Other changes — Dreamliners, Hawaii, Los Angeles and another A380

It’s not just Perth getting the love. Qantas is making some other changes to frequencies and aircraft:

• Brisbane–Los Angeles: The service is to run daily with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner services from October 2025 (hello, Premium Economy).
• Qantas/American: Over Dec–Jan, Qantas and American Airlines will juggle Brisbane–Los Angeles flights between them (4 per week Qantas, 3 per week AA), keeping things daily.
• Melbourne—Dallas: Qantas will bump up this route to daily for the December/January period.
• Honolulu switcheroo: Jetstar’s Sydney–Honolulu route is getting the axe after 24 October 2025, freeing up Dreamliners for Asian routes. Qantas will step in with 5–6 weekly flights from Sydney, alongside its existing Melbourne–Honolulu service.
• A380 comeback: From January 2026, Qantas’ final A380 rejoins the fleet, adding hefty premium seat capacity on the Sydney–Dallas route.

2PAXfly Takeout

With some of these changes, it looks like Qantas is doubling down on its ‘Western Hub’ strategy, making Perth a serious player in international travel. Airport changes and government funding of immigration and customs facilities have enabled this strategy. Qantas now flies out of Perth, non-stop to London, Auckland, Johannesburg, Paris and Rome, depending on the season.