If you've been dreaming of hawker centre dinners in Singapore, cherry blossoms in Tokyo, or a long weekend over in Perth, we've got some genuinely exciting news to share.

Air New Zealand has just announced three brand-new non-stop international services from Christchurch International Airport — direct flights to Singapore, Tokyo, and Perth. These routes are set to launch later this year (pending the usual government approvals) and will be operated on Air New Zealand's flagship Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

For South Island travellers, this is a big deal.

Why this announcement matters

Until now, anyone flying internationally out of Christchurch to these destinations has had to connect through Auckland, Sydney, or Melbourne — adding hours, an extra security queue, and the kind of bleary-eyed transit experience nobody enjoys.

These new direct services change that. Three new doors to the world, opening straight from our backyard.

Singapore: Your gateway to Asia and beyond

Singapore is one of the world's great connecting hubs. A direct flight from Christchurch means you can be exploring Gardens by the Bay, eating chilli crab at Newton Food Centre, or transiting onwards to Bali, Bangkok, Vietnam, India, or Europe — all without first heading north to Auckland.

Tokyo: Japan, direct

Japan has consistently been one of the most-requested destinations from our clients over the past few years, and for good reason. A non-stop service to Tokyo unlocks easier access to everything from skiing in Niseko, to the buzz of Shibuya, the temples of Kyoto, and onward connections throughout Asia.

Perth: The closest Australian capital, finally direct

Perth is closer to Christchurch than many people realise, and it's the perfect launching point for exploring Western Australia — think Margaret River wineries, Rottnest Island quokkas, and the Ningaloo Reef. It's also a fantastic short-break destination in its own right.

What the Dreamliner experience means for you

These services will operate on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which is good news for comfort. The aircraft features higher cabin humidity, lower cabin altitude (so you arrive feeling more human), larger windows with electronic dimming, and Air New Zealand's full international cabin options including Business Premier, Premium Economy, and Economy.

More options, more possibilities

For us, the most exciting part of this announcement is what it means for our clients. More direct services from Christchurch means:

• Fewer connections and shorter total travel times
• More flexible itinerary planning
• Easier access to onward destinations across Asia, Europe, and Australia
• A genuine alternative to flying via Auckland for South Island travellers

Whether you're planning a long-awaited family holiday, a milestone trip, a business journey, or just a well-earned escape from a Canterbury winter, the world just got a little bit closer.

Start planning your trip

These routes are launching later this year, and we'd love to help you be among the first to take advantage of them. Whether you have a specific destination in mind or you're just starting to dream up your next adventure, get in touch with us today and let's start building your itinerary.

Contact us today to start planning your next holiday — the world is waiting.