QANTAS: International flights return to the Gold Coast (OOL). Fly direct to New Zealand 3 times a week

In a win for Gold Coast travellers, Qantas is bringing back overseas flights from the Gold Coast (formerly Coolangatta) Airport for the first time in almost five years. Qantas will launch Gold Coast to Auckland services from 16 June 2026. This will reconnect Queensland’s beach capital with New Zealand three times a week with more than 52,000 seats a year across the Tasman.

The aircraft will be the new soon-to-be-replaced 737-800s, but they do have the advantage of Business Class, which no other airline offers on this route.

Flight details

Qantas will run the flights three times a week — Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday — using a Boeing 737, with the debut flight operating as

• QF209 departs Gold Coast 13:05, arrives Auckland at 18:10
• QF210 departs Auckland 10:20, arrives Gold Coast at 12:00

You can find return Economy fares starting at AU$364, and Business Class on sale from AU$1,464.

Why Qantas is coming back to OOL

Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace says the return is all about demand, and that’s coming from the premium end, which is why Qantas is covering the route instead of sister low-service carrier Jetstar.

“Today marks a huge milestone for the Gold Coast with Qantas international services returning after almost five years. There’s been real demand for a premium option to Auckland and we’re the only airline offering business class on this route.”

This route will also allow Gold Coast residents a one-stop connection to destinations beyond Auckland, New Zealand. You can connect with the Qantas Pacific network, including new services from Sydney to Apia (Samoa) via Auckland, giving travellers near-daily access to Samoa when combined with Brisbane–Apia flights.

Kiwi connections

In the year to June 2025, 217,000 Kiwis headed for the glitter of the Gold Coast, making New Zealand the area’s strongest international market. It will let those Kiwis from New Zealand experience a real beach with warm weather!

Queensland Airports CEO Amelia Evans notes that Auckland is already the Gold Coast’s busiest international route, with more than 320,000 passengers annually. The new Qantas flights will add a further 54,000 seats, including premium cabin seats.

From Auckland, customers can connect via Jetstar to Christchurch, Queenstown, Dunedin and Wellington. Connections can also be made to the Pacific, like Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. It’s also possible to travel from the Gold Coast and connect with the Qantas service onto North America.

Auckland International Lounge

By June next year, Qantas will have opened its brand-new Auckland International Lounge (17 December 2025), with 60% more space, showers and a premium à la carte area for Platinum and above frequent flyers. For Gold Coast travellers heading onward to the Pacific or North America, this upgrade makes the transit experience significantly smoother.

2PAXfly Takeout

The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s fastest-growing centres. For residents, it will mean they don’t have to schlepp to Brisbane to catch an international flight. Although not on the same scale, The Gold Coast airport could become to Brisbane what the not yet open Western Sydney International Airport is to Sydney.

It could also offer an interesting Status Run to New Zealand. For me, that might be out to Auckland via Melbourne. My preference is because they have a Qantas International First Lounge, which the ex-Coolangatta Airport does not. And then back to Sydney via the Gold Coast. Might put that on the agenda for the next Qantas Platinum qualification year.