New Zealanders will soon be able to take full advantage of the Qantas and Emirates partnership, with the joint network opening for bookings from 14 August 2013.

Aligned fares, frequent flyer benefits and codeshare arrangements will all be switched on across the Tasman, making it easier for New Zealanders to access world class travel experiences.

It will also make New Zealand part of a joint Qantas-Emirates network, which includes Australia, Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and the UK, bringing the world closer via the global hub of Dubai.

Together, the airlines will operate around 130 services per week from Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown to Australian east coast cities – then onwards to more than 65 destinations in the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. Existing capacity on trans-Tasman routes that both Qantas and Emirates fly has been guaranteed as part of regulatory approvals.

Emirates’ trans-Tasman services are operated by the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777, while Qantas’ services are operated by a dedicated fleet of next generation Boeing 737-800s.

Qantas’ Executive Manager, International Sales, Stephen Thompson, said the partnership was great news for New Zealand travellers and local tourism.

“New Zealand was part of the Qantas-Emirates vision from the start and since receiving government approval in May our teams have been working hard towards switching the partnership on,” Mr Thompson said.

“From mid-August New Zealanders will be able to take full advantage of the network, lounges and frequent flyer opportunities available with Qantas and Emirates, tapping into a comprehensive trans-Tasman schedule and a vast range of international destinations.

“The partnership is also good news for inbound tourism, with both airlines selling New Zealand’s world-class tourism attractions around the world. Wellington and Queenstown are likely to benefit considerably, as these are Qantas destinations that Emirates will now offer to their global customer base for the first time.”

“The trans-Tasman link is a key piece of the Emirates-Qantas jigsaw and further strengthens what we can deliver to passengers under the partnership, said Barry Brown, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations East.

“From New Zealand, we will now be able to offer travel out of Wellington and Queenstown, in addition to Auckland and Christchurch. Overall, weekly departures from New Zealand will go from 28 to over 140, jointly reaching 55 points in Australia, and of course, onwards to our magnificent hub in Dubai.”

In addition to the wide range of destinations, customers in New Zealand who book with Qantas and Emirates will gain access to the following benefits:

*  Earn Frequent Flyer or Skywards points when flying with either airline on the joint network.
*  Redeem existing Qantas Frequent Flyer or Emirates Skywards points for flights to 175 destinations worldwide, on both airlines, including trans-Tasman services.
*  Lounge access for eligible Qantas and Emirates passengers into either airline’s network of lounges in New Zealand, Australia, Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and the UK and Europe.
*  Reciprocal status recognition for frequent flyers (e.g. priority check-in for Qantas Gold Frequent Flyers when flying Emirates).
*  Harmonised baggage policies, including a 30kg allowance for economy passengers.
*  Door-to-door chauffeur drive service for Business and First passengers on flights over 12 hours long**.
*  Access to the world’s largest joint fleet of A380s. The ability to book any Emirates-operated trans-Tasman flight under a ‘QF’ code and vice versa.