Start spreading the news because getting to New York just got a whole lot easier. “How?” you ask. Well, Air New Zealand has today announced its first flight to the Big Apple will take off on 17 September this year.
Landing at John F. Kennedy Airport, Air New Zealand will operate its flagship Auckland-New York route three times a week, year-round with its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran says with international flying on hiatus for two years and the New Zealand border reopening on 2 May to visa-waiver countries, this is the moment Kiwis have been waiting for.
“New York is an iconic yet familiar city, a bucket list item. And now for the first time, Kiwis can visit the city of all cities with a non-stop flight. New Zealand lets you slow down – in New York, everything is bigger and faster, it’s exciting and awe-inspiring – and it’s now closer than ever.”
Traditionally, flight numbers 1 and 2 are used for an airline’s flagship route. “And that’s what New York will be,” said Foran, “our flagship route.”
Departing Auckland at 7:40 pm NZ time, customers will enjoy Air New Zealand’s award-winning cabin experience and wake up to the sights and sounds of NYC.
“We’ve worked incredibly hard over the last few years to make this ultra-long-haul service a reality – it’s one of the longest routes in the world, at just over 16 hours northbound and 17 and a half hours southbound,” he continued.
After a stopover in New York, for customers wanting to travel further afield, Air New Zealand’s strong partnership with United Airlines can connect them on to domestic destinations across the US, Canada and the United Kingdom.
For those wanting to explore more of Europe, Air New Zealand guests can also fly direct from New York to Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Brussels, Helsinki, Copenhagen and Stockholm.
The airline says its new service will also provide greater choice for travellers between New Zealand and North America, with Air New Zealand serving seven destinations in North America – Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angles, San Francisco, Vancouver – and soon – New York.
Find out more at www.airnewzealand.co.nz
