Jetstar plans Dreamliner flights to Oz

Jetstar's transtasman flights next year will be a chance for NZ travellers to try out the new 787 Dreamliner.

Jetstar will raise the transtasman travel stakes next year by putting on one of its new Boeing 787 Dreamliners - but for a limited time only.

The Qantas subsidiary will use the aircraft it says "everyone has been talking about" on the Auckland to Melbourne route during March with lead-in fares starting at $149 one-way.

The Dreamliner will replace smaller Airbus A320s on the route making an extra 3700 seats available.

Jetstar took delivery of its first 787 in September. Its second arrives this month and its third early next month. The airline will have moved to an all-787 long-haul fleet by 2015, with the Dreamliner eventually replacing all current Jetstar Airbus A330 services, including Auckland-Singapore.

China Southern Airlines on Labour Day began scheduled flights to Auckland using a Dreamliner but Jetstar's Melbourne service will be the first chance to fly in the aircraft on a short-haul route.

"While many New Zealanders may not be planning a long-haul trip, this is a great opportunity to try out the aircraft that everyone's talking about, on a Tasman flight," said Jetstar head of New Zealand Grant Kerr.

Qantas has warned of heavy losses in this half year as its faces tough domestic competition and on long-haul routes but has said it is "business as usual" for its transtasman operations and those of Jetstar.

Meanwhile, Fiji Airways will add another Christchurch to Nadi service next winter. The airline now operates a weekly Sunday flight and plans a Tuesday service in July.

Fiji Airways managing director and chief executive Stefan Pichler said the extra service would make it easier for South Island passengers to fly direct to Fiji, and on to the United States without an additional domestic New Zealand connection.