China Airlines launched its inaugural fifth freedom flight from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Auckland Airport (AKL) on December 3, 2024.
Flight CI 57 departed Melbourne at 13:57 local time, and landed in Auckland at 19:34 local time, with a flight time of three hours and 30 minutes.
With the Taiwanese flag carrier’s new trans-Tasman flight, travelers now have a choice of opting for lie-flat business class seats between Australia and New Zealand. The A350 is fitted with three cabin classes: business, premium economy, and economy.
The new route, operating as a seasonal extension of China Airlines’ Taipei-Melbourne service, comes just in time for the summer holiday season, adding more than 3,000 seats per week to the Melbourne-Auckland market.
“China Airlines’ decision to extend its Taipei-Melbourne route to Auckland provides travellers with a high-quality and competitive option to cross the Tasman,” Jim Parashos, Melbourne Airport Chief of Aviation said in a statement.
“With the December school holidays almost upon us, families and holidaymakers will benefit from increased capacity at a time when demand is at its peak.This service also creates new opportunities for New Zealanders to connect to Asia via Melbourne, opening up a gateway to Taipei and beyond,” Parashos added.
Parashos also said the additional five times per week flights bring “much-needed competition” to the trans-Tasman market, helping to drive down airfares and providing greater choice for passengers.
“It’s a win for consumers on both sides of the Tasman,” he said.
To celebrate the launch of its Melbourne to Auckland service, China Airlines gave 500 free servings of Xiao Long Bao dumplings to passengers at Melbourne Airport. Known as soup dumplings, Xiao Long Bao, or XLB, was popularized by Taiwan and is famous for its delicate skin and scrumptious soupy filling.
