China Airlines launched its first fifth freedom flight from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Auckland Airport (AKL) on December 3, 2024.

Flight CI 57 departed Melbourne at 1:57 p.m. local time and landed in Auckland at 7:34 p.m. local time, with a flight time of three hours and 30 minutes.

With the Taiwanese airline’s new trans-Tasman flight, travelers now have the option of choosing reclining business class seats between Australia and New Zealand. The A350 is equipped with three cabin classes: Business, Premium Economy and Economy.