Jetconnect is a New Zealand airline owned by Qantas. Established in July 2002 as an airline, it ceased operating as an airline in 2018 but continues to employ pilots and cabin crew based at Auckland and Wellington airports that operate Qantas flights on Trans-Tasman services between New Zealand and Australia, with cabin crew also operating on Qantas long-haul flights alongside Australian-based crew.
History
Jetconnect was established by Qantas in July 2002, commencing operations in October the same year as a New Zealand-based airline. It operated domestic services within New Zealand until 10 June 2009, when these services were taken over by fellow Qantas subsidiary Jetstar. Jetconnect then operated Trans-Tasman services between New Zealand and Australia under the Qantas brand with New Zealand-based crew.
From mid 2001 to early 2004, JetConnect operated a codeshare agreement with Origin Pacific Airways. When this ceased, Origin lost 60% of its business.
In November 2018, Jetconnect transferred its fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft back to Qantas and ceased to operate as an airline, though the company continues to employ pilots and cabin crew to operate trans-tasman and international services for Qantas.