Air New Zealand to launch 1st NY route

Air New Zealand has announced on a new nonstop flight between New York City and Auckland. 
Starting Sept. 17, Air New Zealand will offer nonstop flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Auckland International Airport. The new route’s launch, originally announced in October 2019, was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
"The U.S. has always been a key market for us, and this new route cements our commitment to growing opportunities for tourism between the two countries," Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran said in a news release Tuesday. 
"In the six years leading up to COVID, the U.S. visitor numbers to New Zealand doubled so we expect our much-awaited non-stop service to be incredibly strong year-round."
The route is set to operate three times a week and will be the first nonstop flight from the East Coast to the South Pacific, according to the airline.
Air New Zealand currently offers service from Los Angeles International Airport. Flights from San Francisco International Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu and O'Hare International Airport in Chicago are set to restart later this year. 
Foran said New York will be Air New Zealand's flagship route. 
The flight will offer 215 economy seats, 27 business seats, 33 premium economy seats and 13 economy skycouches – private economy seats that convert into couches after takeoff.  
-B