Jetstar adds over 20,000 more seats year to Cook Islands

Friday, 13 October 2023 – Ahead of next year’s Easter holidays, Jetstar is launching a fourth weekly service between Sydney and Rarotonga, the largest of the Cook Islands.

Taking off from 27 March 2024, the extra flights will add 24,000 seats a year to the Cook Islands which is growing in popularity with Australian holidaymakers.

Since launching direct services from Sydney to the Cook Islands in June this year, Jetstar has already carried more than 8,000 customers to the South Pacific nation.

With the additional weekly flight, Jetstar expects to carry more than 70,000 customers a year between the two destinations using the newest aircraft in its fleet, the Airbus A321neo LR.

The inaugural flight in June made history by becoming the first non-stop service between Australia and the Cook Islands to be operated by an Australian airline since Ansett in the early 1990s.

Jetstar currently flies three times a week between Sydney and the Cook Islands on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. When it launches, the fourth flight will operate every Wednesday.

Jenn Armor, Jetstar’s Executive Manager, Customer said the popularity of the route had exceeded expectations.

“We’ve already carried more than 8,000 customers between Australia and the Cook Islands since we launched four months ago.

“Rarotonga, the largest of the Cook Islands, is utterly breathtaking. Every week more and more Australians are falling in love with its white sand beaches, sparkling blue waters, warm weather and friendly locals.

“We thank the Cook Islands Government for its ongoing support of the route.”

Graeme West, General Manager Australasia, Cook Islands Tourism said it’s great to see more Australians discovering the Cook Islands.

“This is a further step towards re-building our economy.

“Demand from Australia has been strong and feedback from Australian visitors over the past few months has been excellent, with many saying that the convenience of the direct flight influenced their decision to travel to the Cook Islands.”

Flight schedule

*Thursday flights will operate on Fridays from 3 November 2023.

^Available until sold out. One-way, excludes checked baggage. Selected travel dates and conditions apply.