Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines announced they will significantly expand their joint network between New Zealand and Singapore for the northern winter 2026 season (Oct. 25, 2026 to March 27, 2027), increasing overall capacity into Auckland and introducing new nonstop flights into Christchurch on Air New Zealand to complement Singapore Airlines’ existing services.

The expanded services, said the announcement, reflect the airlines’ firm commitment to meet the growing demand for travel between New Zealand and Singapore, as well as key markets across Asia and Europe. Customers, said the announcement, will benefit from more seamless connectivity, greater flexibility and premium travel options across the joint network.

Air New Zealand will launch three weekly services between Singapore and Christchurch during the northern winter season, with its Boeing 787 aircraft. Combined with Singpaore Airlines’ existing Christchurch operations of up to 12 weekly services, the two airlines will operate 15 weekly services during the peak months from November 2026 to February 2027.

Air New Zealand will also add four weekly Auckland services utilizing both its Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft. Singapore Airlines will adjust its Auckland schedule from three daily flights to two, and will deploy the Airbus A380 on daily services during the 2026 northern winter season, instead of the Boeing 777-300ER.  Singapore Airlines’ A380 has 471 seats in four cabin classes — six in Suites, 78 in Business Class, 44 in Premium Economy, and 343 in Economy.

With these adjustments, according to the announcement, the alliance will increase overall seat capacity between Singapore and New Zealand by 17% beginning in late October, adding 72,000 seats and bringing the total seat count to more than 490,000 seats during the 2026 northern winter season.

Michael Williams, Air New Zealand’s COO, said the expansion reflects the strength of its partnership with Singapore Airlines.  “Our partnership with Singapore Airlines plays a critical role in connecting the world to New Zealand and vice versa,” he said. This northern winter expansion, said Williams, “gives our customers even more travel options, whether they are visiting New Zealand for business, leisure or to reconnect with friends and family.”

Dai Haoyu, senior vice president marketing planning, Singapore Airlines, said: “Our long-standing partnership with Air New Zealand serves the strong demand for travel between New Zealand and Singapore, as well as onward to key destinations across our global network.” The deployment of the Airbus A380, with its greater seat capacity and enhanced travel experience, to Auckland, he said, “reflects our commitment to this important market.”