Qantas Airbus A220 Debuts Internationally on Flight Between Brisbane and Wellington
- Joe Breitfeller
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Qantas Group has announced that they have deployed their next-generation Airbus A220 internationally for the first time with service between Brisbane and Wellington.
On Monday (February 2, 2026), Qantas announced the departure of their first-ever international Airbus A220 flights with service between Brisbane, Australia, and Wellington, New Zealand. The route will now operate up to three times weekly, bringing a new level of passenger comfort and efficiency to the route. The Airbus A220 offers a reduced noise footprint and a fuel burn reduction of up to 25 percent compared tot the airplane it replaces, and also offers a longer range.
In Monday’s announcement, QantasLink’s CEO, Mark Dal Pra, said,
“Today is a significant milestone in our fleet renewal program. Feedback from customers about the A220 has been fantastic and we’re really excited for the aircraft to take off on its first scheduled international route. Brisbane is an important market for us and the A220’s size and economics make them a great fit for many of our trans-Tasman and Pacific routes.”
Also commenting on the new A220 service Between Brisbane and Wellington, Brisbane Airport’s CEO, Gert-Jan Graaff, added,
“Having Qantas operate the A220 on international services out of Brisbane is a win for the city and for residents living under flight corridors. This next-generation aircraft is significantly quieter and fuel efficient, giving travellers a more comfortable and sustainable way to fly. For communities under flight paths, that means quieter arrivals and departures, bringing a noticeable reduction in the day-to-day impact of aircraft noise.”
The Airbus A220 is a key part of Qantas Group’s fleet renewal program, which includes over 200 single-aisle and widebody aircraft on order. QantasLink recently received their 11th A220, with four more scheduled for delivery by mid-2026. QantasLink’s new A220s can accommodate 137 passengers across two David Caon designed cabins, with 10 Business Class seats in a 2-2 configuration, and 123 Economy Class seats in a 2-3 configuration. Additionally, the aircraft features the largest windows of any single-aisle aircraft, fast, free Wi-Fi, an integrated personal device holder, and USB A and C charging ports across all cabins.
Qantas also announced an expansion of their footprint in the Queensland with flights between Brisbane and Honiara (Solomon Islands) set to increase from four to five times per week from March 29, 2026. The route will be operated with an Embraer E190, providing a seamless connection between Australia and the Solomon Islands for business and leisure travelers.
Source: Qantas
