Codeshare only applies to domestic flights that are a route from a Trans-Tasman flight. Neither Qantas nor Air New Zealand are allowed to sell only domestic fares in their home country, which is why SYD-> MEL does not appear alone on the Air NZ website. For example, if you want to book AKL – return DE- SYD, then syd -> return of Mel would appear as a flight coded nz operated by Qantas. It will also allow customers of both airlines to use 36 domestic lounges on both sides of the Tasman when flying on lines covered by codeshare. On May 31, 2018, Qantas and Air New Zealand announced that a new codeshare agreement would allow their customers to have “seamless air travel”. Code-sharing came into effect in October 2018. [88] The national and regional trade shows that are part of the agreement are those in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton, Tauranga, New Plymouth, Napier, Palmerston North, Nelson, Queenstown, Dunedin and Invercargill. Christopher Luxon, chief executive of Air New Zealand, said codeshare would provide customers with a full service experience when setting up domestic routes in New Zealand or Australia. Reports in April had indicated that Air New Zealand was open to discussions with Virgin Australia on codeshare or interline agreements on domestic flights in Australia after the alliance ended in October. This stuff with Air New Zealand and Qantas is not good for Air NZ Koru Club members.
When Air NZ was with Virgin, we took advantage of the lounge access by flying with a Virgin domestic flight, and now this commercial deal has made Air NZ Koru Club members feel abandoned. Members of the Qanta club were also reviewed in this agreement. It makes it clear that both airlines have little regard for loyal customers. “This will undoubtedly have an impact on competition on the Tasman, since only the two largest players, which have more than 70% of the market, can do code sharing at each end. This codeshare agreement will open the 13 local Koru lounges in New Zealand for Qantas frequent flyers who travel on Air New Zealand-Qantas` codeshare flights, where the locations in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington are the largest. . . .