Qantas to End Air New Zealand Codeshare on April 7, 2027; Bedbugs Ground a 787 in Rome

October 13, 2026 — The domestic codeshare between Qantas and Air New Zealand will end on April 7, 2027, eight years after it began. Air New Zealand is now seeking approval for a wider tie-up with Virgin Australia. Separately, Qantas cancelled a Rome–Perth flight after bedbugs were found on one of its Boeing 787s.

Air New Zealand codeshare ends

What it covered: Qantas put its code on Air New Zealand domestic flights within New Zealand, and Air New Zealand put its code on Qantas domestic flights within Australia. Trans-Tasman and other international flights were never part of the deal. It started in June 2018.
End date: After April 7, 2027, Qantas codeshare flights operated by Air New Zealand can no longer be booked. Aviation A2Z reports that Qantas is the airline ending the deal. Neither airline has given an official reason.
Existing bookings: Travel before April 7, 2027 is not affected. Qantas codeshare bookings for travel on or after that date will move to Air New Zealand flight numbers, and Qantas Frequent Flyer members will still get the Qantas Points and Status Credits they would have earned.
Reward seats: Qantas Classic Reward seats on Air New Zealand can be booked until April 6, 2027.
Lounges: Members with bookings made before April 7, 2027 can keep using Air New Zealand lounges. Access for later bookings: TBA.

Air New Zealand turns to Virgin Australia

Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia already codeshare on some Australia–New Zealand flights. In September 2026 they applied to widen this into a reciprocal deal covering trans-Tasman and connecting domestic routes, for a five-year term. If approved, Velocity members could earn points across Air New Zealand’s network and book Air New Zealand Reward Seats. Status members of both programs would get lounge access, priority check-in and extra baggage. Virgin’s Qatar Airways wet-lease flights to Doha are excluded. The deal needs approval from Australia’s ACCC and from New Zealand transport authorities. Decision date: TBA.

Bedbugs ground a 787 in Rome

Passengers on QF5, the nearly 17-hour Perth–Rome flight on Friday, October 9, reported insect bites. Bedbugs were found in the forward economy cabin. The 787 stayed in Rome for a deep clean, and the next day’s QF6 from Rome to Perth on Saturday, October 10 was cancelled. Qantas apologised. It said only a small number of economy seats were affected and that it arranged hotels and rebooked passengers within 48 hours of their original departure times.

What it means for non-revs

Nothing changes before April 7, 2027. The codeshare is domestic only, so trans-Tasman flying is not affected.
Staff travel between the two airlines: none of the reports mention reduced-rate or interline staff travel agreements between Qantas and Air New Zealand. Before you plan trips for after April 2027, check with your pass bureau whether anything will change.
Watch the Virgin–Air New Zealand application. If it is approved, it could change how travel connects across the Tasman. Any staff-travel arrangements under it have not been announced.
Rome–Perth: the cancelled QF6 shows how one aircraft out of service can disrupt a long-haul route. Passengers from a cancelled flight are rebooked first, so standby chances on the next flights drop quickly.