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Qatar Airways has flown to New Zealand for the past nine years. Originally, flights operated nonstop in both directions, but that changed amid the COVID-19 pandemic, when they stopped in Australia. This setup returned in 2026 as a result of the ongoing war in Iran.
Currently, the oneworld member stops in Adelaide Airport (ADL) en route to/from 
Auckland Airport (AKL). But, as you may know, that’ll change soon. It’ll shift to Melbourne Airport (MEL) and, next year, to Brisbane Airport (BNE). Of course, the plan could easily change again.
Qatar Airways To New Zealand Via Australia
OAG data shows that the carrier suspended operations from its 
Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH) hub to AKL in February 2026. When flights returned in June, they stopped in ADL, with that setup continuing today. Qatar Airways runs daily on DOH-ADL-AKL aboard the 354-seat Boeing 777-300ER.
However, that type will be replaced by the 283-seat Airbus A350-900 on October 19, with the A350 continuing to operate until December 8. Things will change significantly on December 9. That day, Qatar Airways’ departure from DOH to AKL will stop in MEL, with the 354-seat Triple Seven returning. December 9 coincides with the airline returning to a twice-daily operation to MEL.
One flight will continue to Canberra (777-300ER), which is to circumvent the bilateral agreement to increase access to MEL, while the other will continue to AKL (777-300ER). Partner Virgin Australia will also fly MEL-DOH daily using a 777-300ER leased from Qatar Airways on the Gulf giant’s behalf. Three daily services will be back after last being available earlier this year.
These things mean that DOH-ADL-DOH will be served on a terminator basis again, with the A350-900 deployed. All seats will thus be available for ADL and not New Zealand traffic. Qatar Airways will increase its share of traffic bound from ADL to Europe, in particular, against Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and more.
Qatar Airways To Auckland Via Melbourne
After departing from the Middle East on December 9, Qatar Airways will operate from MEL to AKL on December 10, with the new schedule shown below. It’ll be the first time that Qatar Airways has stopped in Victoria en route to/from New Zealand, hence the word ‘new’ in the title. It’ll be the third extension to the airline’s MEL flights. The first was to ADL, then there’s the still-existing CBR operation, and now there’s AKL. The block time from AKL back to DOH is 20 hours and 10 minutes.
Notice the awful schedule from MEL to AKL. After the operating aircraft arrives from DOH at 11:20 PM and is refueled, the crew is changed, and so on, it’ll leave for New Zealand at 1:20 AM. As usual, fifth freedom traffic rights will be available to/from Victoria. Qatar Airways will be the only non-Australian and non-New Zealand operator since 2025, when China Airlines ended Taipei-MEL-AKL.
The new schedule will be very different compared to flying via ADL. Currently, flights arrive in AKL at 11:30 PM, although that’ll change to 12:25 AM shortly. As they leave AKL for South Asia at 5:15 PM the next day (6:15 PM soon), a day trip in each direction is easy. This is highly suitable for business people, although it is unclear how many do it.
Frequency | Leg | Local Times In December* |
|---|---|---|
Daily | DOH to MEL | QR904: 1:50 AM-11:20 PM |
Daily | MEL to AKL | QR904: 1:20 AM-6:50 AM |
Daily | AKL to MEL | QR905: 1:15 PM-3:10 PM |
Daily | MEL to DOH | QR905: 5:10 PM-11:25 PM |
* Different flight numbers than via ADL* Different flight numbers than via ADL | ||
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The Auckland Flights Will Switch Again In 2027
Qatar Airways wants to serve AKL on a nonstop basis. After all, this will reduce operating expenses and increase convenience and aircraft availability. It’ll also increase competitiveness relative to many other airlines which have a one-stop service to Europe and not two. It is quite possible that DOH-AKL will return to being nonstop at some point in 2027, but that is not currently scheduled. It’ll depend on the war in Iran and all the consequences of it.
For now, at least, Qatar Airways departures from DOH via MEL will continue until June 24, 2027. After a week with no flights during the peak winter Down Under, service to New Zealand is due to resume on July 1, flying via BNE for the first time. Flights are due to arrive in AKL at 5:55 AM and leave at 11:20 AM, which is very similar to the schedule via MEL. The 777-300ER will be used.
