Onwards & Upwards: Long-haul Flights Taking Off From Auckland Airport

For the first time since the pandemic, long-haul flights between Auckland and North America are set to exceed 2019 levels, with a planned 11 per cent increase in flight numbers to those destinations next summer, compared to pre-pandemic.

Scott Tasker, Chief Customer Officer at Auckland Airport, said: “The upcoming Kiwi summer season is going to see the highest level of long-haul flights, airlines and seats, since summer 2019. We’re thrilled to not only be returning to pre-pandemic levels but also planning to surpass them with our North American routes, as we continue to rebuild connectivity.

“In total, this summer we’re planning on having seven airlines flying non-stop from Auckland to eight destinations in North America.”

Auckland Airport is set to have four airlines running direct flights to and from Los Angeles for the summer season (Air New Zealand, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines), offering unprecedented capacity and airline choice for Kiwis heading to North America as well as inbound visitors from the United States.

Further to the north, Air Canada has also announced a 20 per cent expansion of capacity on its summer seasonal air route between Vancouver and Auckland.

From September 2023 onwards, Qatar Airways is set to resume daily non-stop flights to and from Doha to Auckland. The Doha to Auckland route is the third longest non-stop route in the world and will be operated using Qatar Airways’ Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. Qatar Airways has a vast global network of over 140 destinations, including 39 in the United Kingdom and Europe.

“This is big news and gives Kiwis more airline options for travel to destinations globally,” Tasker added. “These additional flights will provide increased connectivity for New Zealanders to reach the popular gateway cities of Los Angeles, Vancouver and Doha. We’re going to see more kiwis flying the nest this year and in turn, a strong boost for local tourism.

“New Zealand is highly appealing as a travel destination for visitors around the world.”

Kiwis not only have their sights set on North America and Doha. Demand is also increasing for travel to and from China.

“Before Covid, China was the second-largest source of visitors coming to New Zealand, and now with the Chinese borders open for international travellers, flights are quickly resuming,” Mr Tasker said.

With the recent announcement of a return to Auckland Airport by Air China on 2 May from Beijing to Auckland, and with Hainan Airlines also set to return on 17 June on the Shenzhen to Auckland route, Auckland Airport is set to have 27 flights per week operated by five airlines (Air China, Air New Zealand, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines and Hainan Airlines), to four cities in mainland China.**

“It’s great news for Kiwis travelling to China to reconnect with family and friends, leisure travel, business as well as connecting beyond the Chinese airline hubs to the rest of the world. Having direct flights to key Chinese cities, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen, also means New Zealand is an attractive and competitive destination as a one flight stop for Chinese visitors.

“Overall, we’re delighted with the shape of the recovery. New Zealand is now well and truly connected again across the globe, giving kiwis a multitude of options for where they want to go, and importantly, it’s easier for visitors to reach our corner of the world.”

Note:

Pre Covid, Auckland Airport had 29 airlines operating to 43 destinations. Next summer (October 2023 – March 2024) Auckland Airport expects to have a peak of 26 airlines operating to 37 destinations.

*Auckland Airport will have seven airlines flying non-stop from Auckland to eight destinations in North America including Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Vancouver. They are: Air Canada, American Airlines, Air New Zealand, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, Qantas and United Airlines.

**Auckland Airport will have 27 flights per week operated by five airlines travelling to four cities in mainland China including Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen. They are: Air China, Air New Zealand, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines and Hainan Airlines.

Recently announced growth in Auckland Airport’s long-haul flights include:
•    American Airlines will resume services direct from Los Angeles to Auckland this New Zealand summer. This is in addition to their daily Dallas/Fort Worth to Auckland seasonal service.
•    Air Canada has confirmed a 20% increase in capacity this summer on the Vancouver to Auckland route. 
•    United Airlines are launching a new route from Los Angeles to Auckland, in addition to its Auckland to San Francisco service, which is a 57% increase in the number of flights for this airline compared to the 7-weekly service for the New Zealand peak summer season.
•    Qatar Airways are set to resume flights non-stop between Doha and Auckland, all year round, starting in September 2023. They will be flying their new A350-1000 aircraft. Doha is a gateway point for Kiwis to travel to 39 European and United Kingdom destinations.
•    Air China will resume direct 4-weekly flights from Beijing to Auckland on 2 May 2023.
•    Hainan Airlines will be returning from Shenzhen to Auckland 17 June, twice a week.