American Airlines to New Zealand

[jackthomas]

Looks like the long rumoured route is as good as announced... Spotted on Instagram today.

Would be interested to see if this were for AKL-LAX or DFW... Certainly going to be interesting to see whether Air NZ, United and American can all survive the NZ routes.

 

[TomVexille]

I like the sound of that. Now they just need to add the tag to MEL.

 

[jackthomas]

More info just written on Ausbt... Certainly curious about the press conference being in Wellington....

Qantas American Airlines Sydney Auckland Wellington Los Angeles - Australian Business Traveller

 

[TheBOSman]

More info just written on Ausbt... Certainly curious about the press conference being in Wellington....

There is zero chance it starts to WLG, the runway simply isn't long enough to support WLG-LAX nonstop, and maybe not even long enough to support WLG-anywhere beyond AKL with a 787 without significant weight penalties. As much as I personally would love WLG flights nonstop to the USA (Wellington being my favorite NZ city), won't happen. I'm guessing Parker and Joyce are in WLG to lobby the relevant government officials...

 

[PaulST]

AA to launch SYD-AKL-LAX flights (QF Codeshare)

Apologies if this has been posted elsewhere.
According to AusBT, QF and AA are expected to shortly announce flights from SYD-AKL-LAX in an effort to take on Air NZ.

Due to QF's lack of aircraft, I'd expect that these flights will either be entirely on AA metal or Jetconnect SYD-AKL and then AA from AKL-LAX.

I must admit that I'd be surprised that there's enough interest. NZ, to me, seems like a fairly small market (4.4 mill) and I wouldn't have thought that there'd be enough interest. Maybe there's a lot of Americans who'd like to visit NZ, although I'd have expected that Canada would be just as beautiful. I can't imagine why any Aussies would want to travel via AKL either as we've already got direct flights from BNE, SYD and MEL to LAX (and SYD-SFO and SYD-DFW).

Anyway, here's the article: Qantas American Airlines Sydney Auckland Wellington Los Angeles - Australian Business Traveller

 

[RooFlyer]

re: AA to launch SYD-AKL-LAX flights (QF Codeshare)

Before the dollar fell I'd say it was a way to de-congest the SYD/MEL - LAX route (ie offer a good fare and keep the business 'in-house') but judging by the promos to get people on board the direct flights, that's probably no longer a likely reason.

I'm pretty sure this was announced a while back, or maybe it was the AA CEO giving NZ as an example of new routes he wanted to open up.

Edit; Yes, Doug Parker mentioned it in a press conference in June.

 

[smit0847]

re: AA to launch SYD-AKL-LAX flights (QF Codeshare)

I must admit that I'd be surprised that there's enough interest. NZ, to me, seems like a fairly small market (4.4 mill) and I wouldn't have thought that there'd be enough interest. Maybe there's a lot of Americans who'd like to visit NZ, although I'd have expected that Canada would be just as beautiful. I can't imagine why any Aussies would want to travel via AKL either as we've already got direct flights from BNE, SYD and MEL to LAX.[/url]

This is an example of a 'long, thin route' where a 5 weekly/daily 787 service would make a lot of sense.

 

[michaele]

re: AA to launch SYD-AKL-LAX flights (QF Codeshare)

Interesting (but not entirely surprising) it is LAX and not DFW/JFK.

Do you think the airlines will play nice and possibly allow you to book a QF ticket on EK -AKL and then AA to the US? Is that possible between the two agreements?

 

[Mattg]

re: AA to launch SYD-AKL-LAX flights (QF Codeshare)

AKL-LAX flights on AA metal will almost certainly be announced tomorrow. Most likely on a 787.

 

[exceladdict]

re: AA to launch SYD-AKL-LAX flights (QF Codeshare)

Depending on the timings, PER>AKL>LAX might be nice as a slightly shorter second leg.

One can only hope this increases J award availability.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

re: AA to launch SYD-AKL-LAX flights (QF Codeshare)

Keeping in mind that QF does not fly 52 weeks a year PER - AKL, its a seasonal service, I believe.

 

[madrooster]

re: AA to launch SYD-AKL-LAX flights (QF Codeshare)

One can only hope this increases J award availability.

I wouldn't hold your hopes up - AA has not released anything on the SYD/LAX route.

 

[anat0l]

re: AA to launch SYD-AKL-LAX flights (QF Codeshare)

I wouldn't hold your hopes up - AA has not released anything on the SYD/LAX route.

Agreed... it's much harder to get anything SAAver in premium (or even Economy!) on AA longhaul than almost any other partner airline. It's insane.

If you're an AA member and prepared to pay AAnytime rates, sure you can get seats. Some are not too excessive but certainly more than the gazetted costs.

 

[TomVexille]

Confirmed. Daily LAX-AKL operated by a 787

 

[Red Roo]

re: AA to launch SYD-AKL-LAX flights (QF Codeshare)

Here's some more information: AMERICAN AIRLINES BRINGS ITS PREMIUM SERVICE TO NEW ZEALAND - Qantas News Room

 

[moa999]

AKL 1320 LAX 0630
LAX 2245 AKL 0635

Qantas American Airlines Sydney Auckland Los Angeles flights - Australian Business Traveller

Yet another late night departure for the TBIT lounge to deal with.


And not quite sure how QF can 'feed' this flight

Current earliest flights from Oz
QF153 MEL 0730 AKL 1310
QF123 BNE 0815 AKL 1435
QF141 SYD 0830 AKL 1340

Unless they are going to base a TT aircraft in Australia overnight (at present all TT aircraft are Jetconnect and AKL based)

 

[TomVexille]

AKL 1320 LAX 0630
LAX 2245 AKL 0635

Qantas American Airlines Sydney Auckland Los Angeles flights - Australian Business Traveller

Yet another late night departure for the TBIT lounge to deal with.

Isn't it more likely to depart from T4? (and yes I'm aware that AA are starting to use TBIT for flights)

And not quite sure how QF can 'feed' this flight

Current earliest flights from Oz
QF153 MEL 0730 AKL 1310
QF123 BNE 0815 AKL 1435
QF141 SYD 0830 AKL 1340

Unless they are going to base a TT aircraft in Australia overnight (at present all TT aircraft are Jetconnect and AKL based)

I was just about to say the same thing. I do wonder if this was intentional to prevent pax connecting from the East Coast.

 

[AIRwin]

Current earliest flights from Oz
QF153 MEL 0730 AKL 1310

Long transit:
QF151 MEL 2335 AKL 0515+1

 

[jackthomas]

I was just about to say the same thing. I do wonder if this was intentional to prevent pax connecting from the East Coast.

Surely New Zealand alone can't sustain Daily 787 flights, plus their national pledged allegiance to Air NZ, and the new United flight... They would need Trans Tasman traffic I would assume?

 

[Dr Ralph]

Surely New Zealand alone can't sustain Daily 787 flights, plus their national pledged allegiance to Air NZ, and the new United flight... They would need Trans Tasman traffic I would assume?

I think that this is a given.