The first Qantas international service to South Australia in more than a decade takes off today, with direct flights between Auckland and Adelaide.
It marks a highly anticipated milestone for the State and strengthens South Australia's connection to key international markets including New Zealand and North America (with a one stop connection to New York City).
Latest data shows annually there are 43,000 visitors from New Zealand and 56,000 from North America, contributing a combined $211 million to South Australia's economy and generating a total of more than 1.4 million nights' stay in the year to June 2025.
Tourism expenditure from New Zealand grew by 42 per cent in the last year, to $93 million in the year-ending June 2025 - up from $65 million in the year prior.
The new Qantas route will add more than 30,000 seats between Auckland and Adelaide and will operate seasonally through to 3 May 2026 four times per week – Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday – on a Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
Qantas currently operates nearly 280 services per week into Adelaide, connecting more than 14 destinations around Australia to the State.
The Qantas international flight is the second new service to commence flying into Adelaide this week and comes at a time when more international airlines are flying into the State than ever before.
Upcoming new international airline arrivals include Cathay Pacific starting 11 November connecting Hong Kong and Adelaide, followed by United Airlines starting 11 December from San Francisco.
As put by Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison
It is an important milestone for South Australia today to welcome Qantas international services back to Adelaide after more than a decade.
This new service direct to Auckland will further strengthen our State's access to New Zealand, our fourth largest tourism market which has seen huge growth, up 42 per cent on the last year to contribute $93 million to South Australia's economy.
This service also provides greater access to another key global market in North America – worth $118 million to our State – as it connects through to New York City with a single stop.
As put by Cam Wallace, CEO Qantas International
Today we're celebrating a major milestone for Qantas and South Australians with the return of international flying from Adelaide.
South Australians can now reach New York in around 21 hours and with just one stop via Auckland on our QF3 service, while the new route also opens up greater opportunities for inbound connections throughout South Australia and beyond through our domestic network.
We've seen significant growth across our international network over the past 18 months, and we're pleased to bring more of that choice and connectivity to South Australia.
As put by Brenton Cox, Managing Director Adelaide Airport
We're excited to welcome Qantas' international return to Adelaide. This is a much-anticipated milestone, which helps meet the growing customer demand for travel between Adelaide and New Zealand.
Along with a direct service to Auckland, the service opens up a one-stop connection with New York.
