Western Australians no longer need to connect through the eastern states to reach New Zealand's South Island. Jetstar has launched the only direct service between Perth and Christchurch, flying three times a week on a seasonal basis through to April 2027.
Flight JQ185 leaves Perth at 7.45am on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, landing in Christchurch at 6.55pm the same evening. The return leg, JQ184, departs Christchurch at 8.55pm and arrives back in Perth at 11.10pm — handy arrival times on both ends. The flights are operated by Jetstar's Perth-based Airbus A321LR, which has bigger overhead bins, in-seat power and device holders built into the seats.
The timing is pitched squarely at holiday planning: the route runs through the peak New Zealand summer and into autumn, suiting long weekends, self-drive itineraries and a warm-weather escape when Perth starts heating up. Christchurch works as the natural staging point for the South Island — alpine scenery, wine regions, coastal wildlife and hiking are all within reach, and the city itself is the South Island's main transport hub for rental-car and campervan road trips.
There's something in it for New Zealanders too. Australia is New Zealand's largest inbound tourism market, and the new link gives Kiwis a one-flight option to Western Australia. Christchurch Airport estimates the route will add more than 37,000 seats over summer, with flow-on benefits for regional towns when visitors push beyond the city.
To mark the launch, Jetstar is running a First Flight Sale with one-way Perth–Christchurch fares from $315, bookable until 11.59pm AEDT Thursday 29 October 2026 for travel before 2 February 2027 — assuming seats don't sell out first.
The launch caps a busy week for the airline. It also restored its direct Sydney–Christchurch service after a seven-year gap, and became the first airline to operate passenger flights from the new Western Sydney Airport, with inaugural services to the Gold Coast and Melbourne. A new Perth cabin crew base, opened this month, supports the route and signals more WA flying to come.
Why it matters: until now, South Island holidays from Perth meant a stopover, usually via Melbourne or Sydney, adding hours and hassle. If you're in WA and have been putting off a Queenstown, Kaikoura or Marlborough trip because of the connections, this removes the main friction. Book the sale fare early, remember the route is seasonal rather than year-round, and build in flexibility — three flights a week means your dates matter more than on a daily service.
