100 days to go: Air New Zealand to be the first international airline at new Western Sydney Airport
From 26 October, Air New Zealand will operate three return services a week to WSI, becoming the airport's inaugural international airline and giving customers a second Sydney option alongside its existing services to Sydney Kingsford Smith.
The new route will operate Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week using the airline's A320 and A321 aircraft. Flights will depart Auckland at 6.00am, arriving at WSI at 7.45am. The return service will depart WSI at 8.55am, arriving back in Auckland at 2.10pm.
Air New Zealand General Manager Australia Kath O'Brien says the Western Sydney route represents more than a new airport; it opens up one of Australia's fastest-growing regions and is an important addition to the airline's trans-Tasman network.
"More than 2.5 million people live in Western Sydney, including a large community of New Zealanders. Flying directly into the region gives our customers another way to travel across the Tasman, while also strengthening business and tourism connections between New Zealand and Australia.
"The Western Sydney team has built a world-class terminal that will deliver an outstanding travel experience. Whether you're a Kiwi travelling to Western Sydney to visit family or to explore the Blue Mountains or are a Sydney-sider visiting New Zealand or connecting onwards the Pacific or North America, this new service creates more options and more choice."
Tickets are on sale now, with one-way Seat only fares from Auckland to WSI starting from $319 NZD.
WSI CEO Simon Hickey said he was delighted that Air New Zealand's WSI flights would create more choice and flexibility for family and friends, holiday makers, and business travellers between Australia and New Zealand.
"It's a great time to be strengthening the trans-Tasman connectivity, given both Australia and New Zealand represent each other's largest inbound market, with those numbers increasing each year," he said.
"Travellers will be able to move through our state-of-the-art terminal with ease thanks to our efficient, digital check-in experience, enjoy a touch of shopping via our retail partner, Lagardère AWPL, and relax at their departure gate in a comfortable seat with handy charging portals and stunning views of the nearby Blue Mountains.
"With final operational preparations continuing each day and only 100 days to go until our inaugural international flight – we can't wait to welcome travellers to Sydney's new 24-hour global gateway."
Air New Zealand Western Sydney International flight schedule
Flights from AKL - WSI
Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Depart 6.00am local time
Arrive 7.45am local time
Flights from WSI - AKL
Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Depart 8.55am local time
Arrive 2.10pm local time
Tickets to Western Sydney International are on sale now and can be booked at www.airnewzealand.co.nz
ENDS
Issued by Air New Zealand Communications
Email: media@airnz.co.nz │ Phone: +64 21 747 320
About Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand's story started in 1940, first taking to the skies between Auckland and Sydney on a flying boat - a Short S30. Known for its warm Kiwi hospitality, today, the airline has operating aircraft ranging from Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A320s to ATRs and Q300s, offering customers comfort in the latest most efficient jets and turboprops. It's a modern fuel-efficient fleet with an average age of 9.9 years. Air New Zealand's global network of passenger and cargo services centres around New Zealand. In 2024, the airline flew more than 16 million passengers. Air New Zealand was named 2025 World's Safest Airline by the Australian rating service AirlineRatings.com, highlighting the airline's laser-focus on safety.
Air New Zealand has a well-connected domestic business, connecting customers and cargo to 20 different regions around New Zealand. Internationally, the airline has direct flights to major cities across Australia, the Pacific Islands, Asia and North America, and through its strong relationships with alliance partners, offers customers more choice and convenience to connect further afield to hundreds of destinations. Air New Zealand has a particular focus on sustainability and its Sustainability Framework helps guide the airline's efforts in tackling some of New Zealand's and the world's most complex challenges. Airpoints, Air New Zealand's loyalty programme, is seen as the most valuable loyalty programme in New Zealand with more than 4 million members. It allows members to earn Airpoints Dollars™ and Status Points for VIP benefits in the air and on the ground. Air New Zealand aircraft are proudly identified by its distinct tail livery of the Mangōpare, the Māori symbol of the hammerhead shark which represents strength, tenacity, and resilience.
About Star Alliance
The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, based on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition and seamless service. Since inception, it has offered the largest and most comprehensive airline network, with a focus on improving customer experience across the Alliance journey.
The member airlines are: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, and United.
Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers more than 16,000 daily flights to almost 1,200 airports in 186 countries. Further connecting flights are offered by Star Alliance Connecting Partners Juneyao Airlines and THAI Smile Airways.
For more information about Air New Zealand visit www.airnewzealand.com and for more information about Star Alliance visit www.staralliance.com