Multiple cameras have captured the moments leading up to the first quarantine-free flight from Sydney to Auckland since they were stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jetstar flight JQ201 had been delayed due to incomplete passenger paperwork, but it still managed to be the first flight of its kind to cross the Tasman in over a year.
Cameras mounted on the aircraft's tug and on chase vehicles captured the vision, while audio taken from LiveATC.net and compiled by Newshub recorded the sound of the history making flight.
The flight was due to depart at 6.15am Sydney time, but was delayed by almost an hour. It was followed by a flight from its sister airline, Qantas, which departed at 9.05am.
Jetstar's first flight was operated by an Airbus A320 aircraft while Qantas' first departure used a larger Airbus A330 aircraft.
Newshub captured the moment the flight landed in Auckland around three-and-a-half hours later, and the emotional reunions that followed.
Speaking from Sydney International Airport to farewell departing passengers, Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the opening of the two-way travel bubble was a significant milestone for both countries.
"New Zealand was Australia's second biggest source of international visitors before the pandemic. Today, it's about to go straight to number one," he said.
Qantas has plans to operate as many as 120 flights every week across the Tasman.
