The launch of QF3 and QF4 will see the carrier initially operate three flights a week on 787 Dreamliners – three new aircraft are scheduled for delivery next year.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said flying via Auckland would provide better connectivity from more destinations in Australia, before an uninterrupted 16 hour flight to New York.

‘We can’t wait to return to New York and it’s made possible by the delivery of new aircraft, which have been caught up in (Covid) delays that have impacted lots of airlines,’ he says. ‘We think this route will be very popular with Australians given the opportunity to connect via Auckland and it also gives New Zealanders more choice.’

Sydney-Auckland-New York flights went on sale yesterday. QF currently operates six daily services to Auckland from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne which will increase to 11 daily services when the new flight to New York launches.

QF to expand AKL lounge

The Qantas Lounge at Auckland International Airport is to be completely redesigned and expanded as part of a multi-million dollar lounge upgrade programme by the airline.

The existing two-lounge space will be combined into a single Qantas International Lounge and expand into an adjacent space to increase total capacity by around 40% from 244 seats to 340.

The detailed design process will begin shortly and building work will be staged to enable the lounge to operate during the redevelopment. The lounge will offer features specifically tailored for long haul travel, based on positive feedback from other parts of its network.

Lounges in Adelaide, Port Hedland and Rockhampton will also be upgraded.

Qantas has now reopened almost all of its 51 domestic and international lounges, including its Los Angeles First Lounge earlier this month. Honolulu is scheduled to reopen in coming months after a refresh.