Which airline to book to the Cook Islands

The travel landscape changed, but our desire to experience new horizons didn’t. When it was announced that Jetstar would begin flying direct from Australia to the Cook Islands from June 2023, we found ourselves overjoyed at the possibilities! But what suits you best, and which airline should you consider for your Cook Islands holiday? We’re the South Pacific travel experts and we are here to help you decide.

Choice of Fares

The minimum consideration for most people when looking at flights is ‘what do I get for my money?’, and rightly so! Let’s break down the way each airline sells their seats.
Jetstar have three categories of fares – Starter, Plus and Max. Starter fares include 7kg of carry-on luggage, while Plus adds 20kg of checked luggage with standard seat selection and an inflight voucher or snack. If you select a Max fare, you receive 30kg checked luggage (an increase of 10kg per person), any seat selection, plus the fare becomes flexible and you can cancel for a full credit.
Air New Zealand work slightly differently. In addition to their economy fares they also offer Premium Economy and Business Class seats on some Cook Islands routes, so there is more of a range to choose from. Their economy Seat fare includes 7kg of carry-on plus inflight entertainment. An upgrade to Seat+Bag will get you 23kg of checked luggage in addition, while The Works tacks on standard seat selection plus the inflight meal and beverage service. Simple!

Schedule*

The next consideration for more travellers is ‘when do they fly?’. Great question! If travelling from Sydney to The Cook Islands then Jetstar are the only airline that fly DIRECT to Rarotonga, the main island of the Cook Islands, and they do this multiple times each week! If you’re flying from all other Australian ports, the flights will go via Sydney. Be mindful that this means you must collect your bags, change terminals (via taxi or bus or train) in Sydney, and check in through customs there.
Air New Zealand fly their routes from Australia to the Cook Islands via Auckland. Sometimes this can mean a late-night flight, but the upside is that you can choose from many departure days each week! It’s also worth noting that your bags will be checked the whole way through so no need to worry.

Comfort

As the variations in the fare types will tell you, there is a difference in general ‘comfort’ levels on both airlines. Jetstar are not shy about being a low-cost carrier, touting about their famously low fares. The benefit here is obviously the monetary savings, especially if you’re a no-frills flyer or prefer to invest in the experience once you land in a destination. Their seats are leather, and all the creature comforts like meals and entertainment are available – just at a fee. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure type airline, and for plenty of people it works really well! Our team regularly fly to the Cook Islands and they find the ease of direct flight with no frills easy to navigate.
Air New Zealand on the other hand offer that something extra. When flying to the Cook Islands they have entertainment included in every ticket so you never have to worry about downloading to your phone or watching something boring. Their economy seats are ergonomically designed with flexible headrests meaning you’ll be more likely to get a decent rest on the flight. They also have USB sockets to charge batteries too! And their meals? Some of the best in the air.

Convenience

For some travellers the airline schedule is the main consideration when choosing a convenient airline. For others it’s the service and communication, how easy it is to book and travel without issue. While we have already covered schedules and fares, it’s important to look at service.
In the technology landscape we all want things done fast and with clarity. This drove both Jetstar and Air New Zealand to create their own apps.
Jetstar’s app can be used to plan your holiday, book flights, manage your booking, receive boarding passes etc. Air New Zealand have elevated their app to also track your Airpoints rewards, order drinks from selected lounges, and best yet track your baggage from Bag Drop to Arrivals!
When you book your Cook Islands holiday with Spacifica Travel we will take care of a lot of the headaches for you, but having the airline app is a way to stay connected and receive up to date information rapidly should the need arise.

Time to take off

Now that you’ve considered the fares, schedules, comfort and convenience of both Jetstar and Air New Zealand for your Cook Islands flights, it’s time to book! Contact Spacifica Travel today to lock in your ticket to paradise, and be sure to check out our Cook Islands packages on our website.
Information correct as at 26 March 2025