Virgin Australia has touched down on New Zealand soil for the first time in nearly 1,000 days, with a huge celebration to mark the airline’s resumed Queenstown flights.

Flights from Brisbane and Sydney arrive at Queenstown International Airport, creating a new gateway of travel between Australia and New Zealand.

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To mark the occasion, Virgin Australia launched 15,000 sale fares from $409 Economy return in a five-day sale. The ‘Return to Queenstown’ sale fares can be booked at virginaustralia.com until midnight AEST this Sunday, November 6, 2022.

Virgin Australia direct Queenstown, New Zealand flight schedule:

•      Sydney: Daily return flights between Sydney and Queenstown from November 2, 2022.

•      Brisbane: Daily return flights between Brisbane and Queenstown from November 2, 2022.

•      Melbourne: Return fights between Melbourne and Queenstown four times weekly from November 3, 2022, increasing to daily during the peak Christmas holiday period (December 12, 2022 – January 29, 2023).

Virgin Australia Group chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka said the announcement marks an exciting day for Virgin Australia and its guests as the airline’s network expansion continues.

“Australians and New Zealanders have a close bond and we are proud to be creating a new gateway between the countries for friends and family to visit each other, businesses to flourish and holiday-makers to seek adventure with more choice and great value airfares.

“To celebrate this wonderful milestone, we have launched 15,000 Economy sale fares from as low as $409 return until midnight this Sunday, and we encourage everyone thinking about visiting Queenstown to get in quick before the sale ends.

“Value, choice and great service are at the heart of Virgin Australia, and we look forward to bringing these values to Queenstown with our expanded network.

“We are proud to continue growing the Virgin Australia international network which now offers over 500 destinations around the world.  We have the most exceptional international airline partners and they help us deliver the very best and most easily reached global destinations,” she said.

The airline's Group Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Alistair Hartley said the demand for Queenstown services is strong.

“Travellers have missed the wonderful Virgin Australia hospitality and we are thrilled to be welcoming them back onboard with more choice and great value when flying to Queenstown,” said Mr Hartley.

The resumption of Queenstown services follows the launch of the airline’s Bring on Wonderful campaign and Middle Seat Lottery for domestic services, which has received global attention since being announced last week.

The airline has continued to expand its international network over recent months, with the recommencement of services to Bali (including the announcement of new direct services from the Gold Coast), Fiji and New Zealand, and the announcement of direct services to Vanuatu and Samoa.

Strategic airline partnerships with Qatar Airways and United Airlines have been added to existing strong partnerships with Singapore Airlines, ANA, and Hawaiian Airlines. Passengers are now connected to more than 500 destinations around the world via Virgin Australia and its airline partners.