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Air NZ & United fly to San Fran

United has entered a new partnership with Air New Zealand to operate flights to San Francisco.

United has entered a new partnership with Air New Zealand to operate flights to San Francisco.

 

 

The Auckland-San Francisco service will kick off from 3 July 2016, with three times weekly flights from Auckland to San Francisco using United’s 787-8 aircraft. Flights will increase on 30 October 2016 to daily with United’s larger 787-9 aircraft taking over on the route.

“Customers will not only be able to fly with United direct to one of America’s most popular business and tourism destinations, they’ll also benefit from seamless onward connections via our San Francisco hub to cities throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Central/South America.”

Jim Compton, United Vice Chairman and Chief Revenue Officer

San Francisco Fishermen's wharf

Air New Zealand’s boss welcomed United’s announcement, saying it was another step in expanding the existing partnership and boosting tourism to both destinations.

“To have a partner carrier with a network like United Airlines promoting destination New Zealand and attracting visitors through its immense sales and distribution channels will provide a significant boost to inbound tourism.”

Christopher Luxon, Air New Zealand CEO

“We look forward to working together with United to continue to build the links between New Zealand and the U.S.”

Services have been timed to connect at San Francisco with United’s other services throughout the US, Canada and Latin America.

Clients will be able to book flights on the new service from 17 October this year.

Subject to regulatory approval, Flight UA916 will depart Auckland at 1.20pm, arriving in San Francisco at 6.40am the same day. The return flight, UA917, will depart San Francisco at 10.45pm daily, arriving in Auckland at 6.55am two days later (all times local).  The first westbound flight will depart San Francisco on 1 July 2016.  Flying times will be approximately 12 hours, 20 minutes eastbound and 13 hours, 10 minutes westbound.

The announcement comes as Qantas plans to resume services to the Golden Gate City later this year.

Are you excited about extra services to San Francisco?