New York to Welcome Its First Direct Flight to New Zealand

Just a week after New Zealand announced it would welcome vaccinated tourists sooner than expected, there's more exciting news: In approximately six months, Air New Zealand will launch nonstop flights between Auckland and New York.

Starting September 17, the airline will operate flights from Auckland Airport (AKL) to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York. This new route will run three times a week using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.

“The U.S. has always been a vital market for us, and this new route reinforces our commitment to enhancing tourism opportunities between our nations,” stated Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran in a press release today. “In the six years prior to Covid, visitor numbers from the U.S. to New Zealand doubled, so we anticipate our eagerly awaited nonstop service to be robust throughout the year.”

This is a significant milestone, as it marks the first-ever direct flight linking New Zealand and New York. Currently, travelers from New York must make at least one stop (typically in Los Angeles or San Francisco), resulting in travel times exceeding 20 hours.

The new flights are not exactly quick: The southbound journey will rank as the fourth-longest flight globally at 17 hours and 35 minutes, while the northbound trip will take just over 16 hours. However, these durations are significantly more manageable and convenient compared to current options.

Significant effort has been made to enhance the in-flight experience on these new routes. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner features more Premium Economy seats than other Dreamliners in the airline’s fleet, offering 33 seats instead of 21. Additionally, it includes 13 Economy Skycouch seats, which convert from private Economy seats into a couch post-takeoff.

Regarding amenities, Air New Zealand is particularly emphasizing sleep—essential for such lengthy flights. Premium passengers will receive soothing teas, noise-canceling headphones (along with other complimentary meals and beverages), and guided meditations available on the in-flight entertainment system.

Before landing in Auckland, passengers will enjoy a brunch featuring flat white coffee, a beloved Kiwi beverage.

In addition to the new JFK route, Air New Zealand plans to resume nonstop flights from several other U.S. airports in the coming months. Starting April 14, flights from San Francisco (SFO) will operate three times a week. Service from Honolulu (HNL) and Houston (IAH) will restart on July 7, also three times a week. Although Los Angeles flights have continued for cargo and repatriation purposes, daily tourist flights are expected to resume when borders open.

All Air New Zealand flights arrive in Auckland, but travelers can easily connect to various destinations across the country with the airline.

“We know that nearly three-quarters of U.S. visitors explore areas beyond New Zealand’s primary tourist hubs, so once they reach Auckland, we offer connections to 20 different regions, all within a two-hour journey,” said Foran. “Visitors will have no shortage of places to explore.”

Tickets are now available for purchase at airnewzealand.co.nz.