South Islanders now have another direct route to Western Australia. Jetstar's seasonal Christchurch to Perth service began on 27 October, creating an option for visiting family, business travel and holidays without first flying through an east-coast Australian airport.
Christchurch Airport's launch announcement says flights operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, adding more than 37,000 seats between the cities over summer.
Stuff's report gives the same service details and describes an Airbus A321LR operation. Both accounts draw on the launch information; they are not separate passenger tests of the route.
The airport sees visitors in both directions
Airport chief executive Justin Watson said the link gives South Islanders more choice and makes the South Island easier for Western Australians to reach. The airport expects benefits for tourism businesses beyond Christchurch.
Jetstar's Cath O'Brien framed the Perth launch and the return of Christchurch to Sydney flights as an expansion of the airline's South Island network. Those are the airport's and airline's expectations, not evidence that every fare is cheaper or that every tourism operator will receive more customers.
A second operator is still to come
The airport says Air New Zealand is due to introduce its own direct Perth service at the end of November. That is a separate start date from Jetstar's October launch.
For readers comparing a summer trip, the carrier and date matter. A route being announced does not mean every airline listed for it is flying today.
Read the connection before paying
The airport also promotes onward Qantas-group connections through Perth, including to destinations in Asia, Europe and Africa. A destination mentioned in a route announcement does not establish a particular itinerary's availability, price or protection if a connection is missed.
Check whether the flights are on one booking, how checked bags are handled and how much connection time the itinerary allows. Entry or transit requirements depend on the traveller's passport and plans and should be checked separately.
The airport's flight-schedule page is a useful starting point for identifying operators. Use the airline's current booking details for the travel date and fare conditions.
Sources: Christchurch Airport's 27 October announcement and flight information, and Stuff's launch coverage. Checked 28 October 2026. This article does not quote a live fare or guarantee an onward connection.
