Air New Zealand relaunches 24 international routes

[NamarrgonFlyer]

Thought this would be worthy of note here!

Long-haul​

Auckland - Singapore, March 27
Auckland - San Francisco, April 14
Auckland - Seoul, July 7
Auckland - Chicago, September 30

Islands​

Auckland - Honolulu, July 4
Auckland - Tahiti, July 6
Auckland - New Caledonia, July 6
Christchurch - Nadi, July 5
Wellington - Nadi, July 5

Australia​

Auckland - Adelaide, July 6
Auckland - Cairns, July 5
Auckland - Hobart, July 7
Auckland - Gold Coast, March 2
Auckland - Sunshine Coast, July 9
Christchurch - Brisbane, February 28
Christchurch - Sydney, March 1
Christchurch - Melbourne, July 2
Christchurch - Gold Coast, July 3
Wellington - Brisbane, March 31
Wellington - Melbourne, April 4
Wellington - Sydney, April 5
Queenstown - Brisbane, June 24
Queenstown - Melbourne, June 24
Queenstown - Sydney, June 25

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

Still no plans from QF or Air NZ with a flight to South America.

 

[jase05]

Yuck, the A321 from ADL

 

[Captain Halliday]

Given the NZ reopening roadmap, I wonder if that range of start dates is:
1. Optimistic/wishful thinking.
2.Intended to generate revenue/short term unsecured loans from travellers.
3. Based on intel from the government relations team that a reopening might happen before the mid year school holidays.

 

[AviationNZ]

Still no plans from QF or Air NZ with a flight to South America.

Air NZ have permanently pulled out of South America so won't be returning there for many years, if at all.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Some small difference to what posted in post 6 here (as image below) -->Queensland Government in partnership with 4 Queensland Airports (BNE, OOL, MCY and CNS) to provide $200 million to Attract International Airlines
For example CHC-MEL on 02 March is online with AirNZ web site (not July 2 as above)

Would expect a lot of these new flights will not fly/be cancelled. But Air NZ will have the passengers $$$$
The NZ requirement of self home isolation for 10 days will put many NZ citizens/PR off flying into NZ. Is a long time before others can enter NZ, even with 10 days iso. When AU opened unrestricted NZ to AU was busy for the first week or so. Then slowed.

 

[Mattg]

It would be nice if all of this happens as planned. But based on Air New Zealand's past track record, I wouldn't be making any new bookings with them.

If they push back the start date (again) and cancel your flight, you won't be offered a refund. Only a credit that you have to use on Air New Zealand within 12 months.

 

[justinbrett]

No AKL-LAX? Don't want to step on UA's toes? And no YVR?

 

[Mattg]

No AKL-LAX? Don't want to step on UA's toes? And no YVR?

Those routes are already operating currently.

 

[justinbrett]

Those routes are already operating currently.

Who is flying on them?

 

[Mattg]

Who is flying on them?

Apparently some of the AKL-LAX flights have been full-ish.

Air NZ is also targeting transit pax to/from Australia, although I'm not sure how successful they have been (despite some impressive commissions offered to travel agents who can convince their Australian customers to fly NZ to North America).

 

[justinbrett]

Apparently some of the AKL-LAX flights have been full-ish.

Getting out of dodge? How are the return loads?

 

[Mattg]

Getting out of dodge? How are the return loads?

I don't know, sorry.

 

[luxury-lizard]

Hum - I need to travel to Canada in March at short notice (family issue) - and the J fares are sky high - one option which Google Flights showed was NZ SYD-AKL-YVR return for $5300 in J - almost half the price of other options. I'm not quite ready to book (need to lock down dates) but this is tempting but if NZ then cancel - I'll be stuffed and a credit would be quite useless to me.

I actually need to get to YYZ but even adding a separate paid YVR-YYZ in J on AC is still $1000's cheaper than other options.

Unfortunately all FF options on *A and OW just don't work for either lack of availability or impossibly long connections.

 

[Jack_OC]

I'm looking at MEL-SFO in May. There is a remarkably cheap fare with NZ (~$6k) compared to $10k with UA and $12k+ with QF/AA/DL. It's actually not a bad route either - I've done it pre COVID and was quite happy with it. Total duration ends up being shorter than many options transiting in SYD or LAX, and transiting in AKL is a lot easier. However, my concern is whether these flights are likely to operate? I gather NZ are currently flying to LAX, so I assume there would be a decent chance of getting re-routed via LAX if the direct AKL-SFO flights do get pulled? Anyone any thoughts on that?

Also, my understanding is that NZ will give a refund in accordance with usual terms - i.e. $600 cancellation fee - I assume that remains true? Obviously it's very unfair of them to impose any fee if they cancel the flight, but given I would be saving $4k+ if it works out, I might be willing to take the risk of losing $600 if it doesn't.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Some small difference to what posted in post 6 here (as image below) -->Queensland Government in partnership with 4 Queensland Airports (BNE, OOL, MCY and CNS) to provide $200 million to Attract International Airlines
For example CHC-MEL on 02 March is online with AirNZ web site (not July 2 as above)
Would expect a lot of these new flights will not fly/be cancelled. But Air NZ will have the passengers $$$$
The NZ requirement of self home isolation for 10 days will put many NZ citizens/PR off flying into NZ. Is a long time before others can enter NZ, even with 10 days iso. When AU opened unrestricted NZ to AU was busy for the first week or so. Then slowed.

Flew CHC-MEL Friday - the 2nd flight of the relaunch. About 100 pax in all economy A321 (214 seats Y & Y+) (info from agent)
Check-in agent told me the first flight on Wednesday went out full. Would expect the next flight on Sunday to have a low load.
Currently Air NZ schedule Sun, Wed & Fri on this route. Pre CV19 NZ flew this route every day, as well as (on some days) QF, JQ & VA. Some days were 4 non stops MEL-CHC. Even CI flew TPE-MEL-CHC for a few summers (2018 and before)

NZ have now eliminated the self isolation requirement. Until NZ fully opens up demand will be low from people going to NZ. On current settings, for most visitors, including AU citizens, that is "by July" [but expected/hoped will be pulled back]
NZ Govt web link--->When New Zealand's borders open (web page has been changing daily)

From AU to NZ will still be people who were stuck in NZ, when the 17 Jan 2022 "open border" was cancelled/delayed, people who did not win the MIQ lottery, and other Kiwis in AU who want to visit the homeland (without costly isolation). Will take a few weeks to clear that demand backlog.

 

[Melburnian1]

It would be nice if all of this happens as planned. But based on Air New Zealand's past track record, I wouldn't be making any new bookings with them.

If they push back the start date (again) and cancel your flight, you won't be offered a refund. Only a credit that you have to use on Air New Zealand within 12 months.

Surprising that NZ Commerce Commission hasn't forced a change in policy as ACCC did with QF.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Surprising that NZ Commerce Commission hasn't forced a change in policy as ACCC did with QF.

Air NZ is 52% owned by the NZ Govt.
Little true independence in NZ. Air NZ - NZ Govt (including the bureaucracy) are effectively one and the same in these pandemic times.

 

[AIRwin]

Auckland - Sunshine Coast

Seasonal service returning on 25 June with 3 weekly flights

 

[AIRwin]

Seasonal service to DPS has also resumed

 

[AIRwin]

Temporary suspension of HBA and ICN:

Air New Zealand NS24 International Selected Service Suspension — AeroRoutes

Published at 0001GMT 08NOV23 Air New Zealand this week announced service changes for Northern summer 2024 season, due to mandatory Pratt & Whitney engine maintenance on its Airbus A320neo and A321neo fleet. Following routes will be temporarily suspended. Auckland – Hobart Suspended 05AP

www.aeroroutes.com