Jetstar vs Qantas:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Jetstar had more branded searches than Qantas among airlines flying New Zealand travellers in New Zealand. Jetstar had about 225,000 branded searches, while Qantas had 122,000. Jetstar made up 23% of all airlines flying New Zealand traveller searches we track, and Qantas accounted for 12.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about airlines flying New Zealand travellers, Jetstar appeared in all five answers and Qantas in two. Jetstar was mentioned before Qantas in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Jetstar, about 85% more searches than Qantas
Who does AI mention more?
Jetstar, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Jetstar, named ahead of Qantas in every answer
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Top airlines flying New Zealand travellers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Jetstar appeared in all five answers. Qantas was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Jetstar was listed before Qantas in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Air New Zealand5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Jetstar5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Singapore Airlines4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Qantas2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Emirates2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Qatar Airways2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Fiji Airways1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Sounds Air1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Virgin Australia1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Cathay Pacific0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about airlines flying New Zealand travellers
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which airline should I book in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best airlines in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best airline in New Zealand for flying travellers?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“airlines nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“cheap flights nz”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.
Is Jetstar or Qantas more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Jetstar and Qantas by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 14 airlines flying New Zealand travellers we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Jetstar, Qantas. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Air New Zealand | Jetstar | Qantas | Singapore Airlines | Fiji Airways | Emirates | Cathay Pacific | Sounds Air | Qatar Airways | Air Chathams | Virgin Australia | Barrier Air | Originair | LATAM Airlines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 37.5% | 22.1% | 11.6% | 6.1% | 6.5% | 4.7% | 2% | 1.3% | 3.3% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 0.72% | 0.88% | 0.29% |
| Nov 2025 | 37.9% | 22.4% | 12.4% | 6.2% | 5.4% | 5.6% | 2.4% | 1.3% | 1.8% | 1.7% | 1.1% | 0.91% | 0.72% | 0.24% |
| Dec 2025 | 34.4% | 25.3% | 13.4% | 5.6% | 5.9% | 5.2% | 2.2% | 1.5% | 2% | 1.6% | 0.98% | 1% | 0.63% | 0.27% |
| Jan 2026 | 39.6% | 19.5% | 12.2% | 6.4% | 5.6% | 5.9% | 2.6% | 1.7% | 1.9% | 1.5% | 1.1% | 0.94% | 0.74% | 0.31% |
| Feb 2026 | 35.9% | 21.7% | 14.1% | 5.9% | 5.1% | 5.6% | 2.8% | 1.5% | 2.1% | 1.3% | 1.7% | 0.86% | 1% | 0.35% |
| Mar 2026 | 35.2% | 21.6% | 10.8% | 7.4% | 5.1% | 8.5% | 2.9% | 1.3% | 2.6% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.73% | 0.68% | 0.79% |
| Apr 2026 | 35.1% | 21.2% | 14.5% | 7% | 7.3% | 4.4% | 2.7% | 1.2% | 1.4% | 1.6% | 1.7% | 0.86% | 0.65% | 0.33% |
| May 2026 | 33.8% | 23.4% | 13.1% | 8.3% | 6.9% | 4.8% | 3.4% | 1.2% | 1.3% | 1.2% | 1% | 0.66% | 0.6% | 0.38% |
| Jun 2026 | 33.6% | 23.7% | 12.2% | 8.3% | 6.9% | 4.9% | 3.4% | 1.4% | 1.6% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.77% | 0.61% | 0.3% |
| Jul 2026 | 35% | 20.2% | 13.4% | 8.2% | 7.3% | 5.1% | 3.4% | 1.4% | 1.6% | 1.2% | 1.3% | 0.77% | 0.63% | 0.39% |
| Aug 2026 | 36.7% | 21.6% | 14.4% | 7.4% | 6.4% | 4.5% | 3.1% | 1.3% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.88% | 0.59% | 0.46% | 0.35% |
| Sep 2026 | 38.4% | 23% | 12.5% | 7.8% | 5.5% | 4% | 3% | 1.3% | 1.2% | 1% | 0.9% | 0.63% | 0.47% | 0.37% |
How has the Jetstar and Qantas comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Jetstar was ahead of Qantas in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Jetstar’s share of searches among airlines flying New Zealand travellers in New Zealand moved from 22.1% to 23%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 221K to 225K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Qantas’ share of searches among airlines flying New Zealand travellers in New Zealand moved from 11.6% to 12.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 116K to 122K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand airlines flying New Zealand travellers in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Jetstar gained share of searches among airlines flying New Zealand travellers in New Zealand, from 21.6% to 23%.
In September 2026, Qantas lost share of searches among airlines flying New Zealand travellers in New Zealand, from 14.4% to 12.5%.
How are branded searches counted?
8 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Jetstar’s and Qantas’ names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among airlines flying New Zealand travellers
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