NZ to cease flying to London and is axing the LAX-LHR route

[Zanzara]

Interesting development.

New era for Air New Zealand's International Network

Air New Zealand is accelerating its ambitions for North America and will launch a non-stop service between Auckland and New York using its 787-9 Dreamliner in October 2020.

www.airnewzealand.co.nz

 

[levelnine]

Withdrawal from LHR but launching AKL-EWR non-stop. Impressive.

 

[Mattg]

The loss of LAX-LHR will be a shame, this was one of the nicest and most interesting ways to fly across the Atlantic.

New York will be quite interesting (and loooonnng if you're in economy; like QF, NZ has a 3-3-3 config on their 787s in Y and EWR-AKL is almost 18 hours). I do wonder if the timing of the new AKL-EWR service is at all related to the Qantas media event over the weekend...

I'm not sure who wrote that press release, but "disestablishment" isn't a word I would personally use to describe job losses.

 

[levelnine]

I do wonder if the timing of the new AKL-EWR service is at all related to the Qantas media event over the weekend...

Certainly takes the wind out of Qantas' sails.

If you're based in PER, ADL, CBR, BNE or MEL, Project Sunrise will continue to mean a stop on the way to NYC (in SYD). I imagine a lot of people would prefer to take a stop in AKL over a stop in SYD.

 

[jb747]

If you're based in PER, ADL, CBR, BNE or MEL, Project Sunrise will continue to mean a stop on the way to NYC (in SYD). I imagine a lot of people would prefer to take a stop in AKL over a stop in SYD.

Rather like the 9-10 being Australia direct to London, when in fact it's still a stop for people who start in Melbourne.

As I understand it, the entire concept of Sunrise is based upon people being prepared to pay quite a premium (in all classes) to be on the aircraft. That has to be a pretty doubtful concept anyway. ANZ has the potential to take most of the wind out of Sunrise's sails, especially if they open up some more destinations.

 

[jase05]

Certainly takes the wind out of Qantas' sails.

If you're based in PER, ADL, CBR, BNE or MEL, Project Sunrise will continue to mean a stop on the way to NYC (in SYD). I imagine a lot of people would prefer to take a stop in AKL over a stop in SYD.

Guess it depends on price but if I was a resident of PER I’d rather go through SIN with SQ to EWR.

 

[opusman]

As I understand it, the entire concept of Sunrise is based upon people being prepared to pay quite a premium (in all classes) to be on the aircraft. That has to be a pretty doubtful concept anyway.

Yeah the whole idea seems like a false premise to me. Saving a couple of hours but not getting off in Singapore for a leg stretch when you're in economy seems like a poor trade, not counting the premium price they'll probably charge for it.

 

[Andz]

Per - LHR in a few weeks time with SQ. same price for SQ J as for QF W.

 

[Danger]

Wait! Doesn't Air New Zealand have to do some "research flights" first?

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I'm not sure who wrote that press release, but "disestablishment" isn't a word I would personally use to describe job losses.

Indeed. The word "disestablishment" has a particular historical meaning in the context of political debate about the official status of the Church of England and state religion more generally. As a result I think usage of it in the "ordinary" meaning has been deprecated.
Presumably someone got the thesauraus out searching for a euphemism for "sacked".

 

[dajop]

Guess it depends on price but if I was a resident of PER I’d rather go through SIN with SQ to EWR.

One route you can't do in economy though, but certainly worthwhile in J and Y+. Even in Y, with the keen pricing of SIN-EWR in Y+ (~$1700 return at some times) , a Y to SIN with Y+ from SIN is probably an attractive proposition.

If you're based in PER, ADL, CBR, BNE or MEL, Project Sunrise will continue to mean a stop on the way to NYC (in SYD). I imagine a lot of people would prefer to take a stop in AKL over a stop in SYD.

It's even very competitive with current services, depending on flight timing, if travelling from MEL, SYD or BNE, which is preferable MEL/SYD/BNE-LAX-JFK or MEL/SYD/BNE-AKL-EWR? (rhetorical question).

 

[Isochronous]

Sad to see another 5th freedom die.

 

[Daver6]

Certainly takes the wind out of Qantas' sails.

If you're based in PER, ADL, CBR, BNE or MEL, Project Sunrise will continue to mean a stop on the way to NYC (in SYD). I imagine a lot of people would prefer to take a stop in AKL over a stop in SYD.

If you're in PER and want to one stop to JFK in J, just go via DOH on QR and a significantly better J product....and avoid that lousy terminal transfer in SYD.

 

[AviationNZ]

Is it possible to rename the thread, as the more interesting news for me and likely far more relevant for AU/NZ FFer's is the start of the NYC services, not the ceasing of the LAX-LHR route?

 

[esseeeayeenn]

that lousy terminal transfer in SYD.

SRSLY that transfer is so awful. That holding pen on the international side is so hot and sweaty.

 

[jb747]

Is it possible to rename the thread, as the more interesting news for me and likely far more relevant for AU/NZ FFer's is the start of the NYC services, not the ceasing of the LAX-LHR route?

It's someone else's thread. Shouldn't you simply start your own with the topic name that you desire.

 

[AviationNZ]

It's someone else's thread. Shouldn't you simply start your own with the topic name that you desire.

Yes, it is. I was purely making a suggestion so there isn't duplication of threads when this one covers both NYC and LAX-LHR discussions. Didn't realise suggesting a change of thread titles was such a touchy subject......

 

[Inlander]

I'm not surprised regarding the LHR withdrawal. All that fixed cost in place( desk agents, c's staff etc) for a coughpy low volume flight frequency. Doesn't equal profitability.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Does this mean AirNZ will have no flights whatsoever to Europe?

 

[Zanzara]

Does this mean AirNZ will have no flights whatsoever to Europe?

Indeed.