Air New Zealand to launch ultra-long-haul service to New York JFK in late 3Q22

Air New Zealand (NZ, Auckland Int’l) has confirmed that it will launch non-stop 3x weekly services from Auckland Int’l to New York JFK on September 17, 2022, following a lengthy delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The carrier will operate the route using Boeing 787-9s.

“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. To ensure customers arrive in New York feeling refreshed, we’ve put a lot of thought into the onboard experience, and teams are working around the clock to make sure this is a great flying experience,” Chief Executive Greg Foran said.

Foran said the route would become Air New Zealand’s “flagship” service, replacing flights to London Heathrow. The airline announced plans to replace flights to the United Kingdom (operated via Los Angeles Int’l) with services to New York in October 2019, intending to complete the transition by the end of 2020. At that time, it said it would serve New York Newark, a major hub for its Star Alliance partner United Airlines. The plan was put on hold during the pandemic after New Zealand adopted heavy entry restrictions, which were only relaxed at the beginning of March 2022.

Besides Los Angeles, Air New Zealand’s network in the US comprises Honolulu, San Francisco, CA, Houston Intc’l, and Chicago O’Hare.