American and United Announce New Routes to New Zealand

Two major airlines, American Airlines and United Airlines, recently announced nonstop flights to New Zealand.

American now offers the only nonstop service from Los Angeles to Christchurch, New Zealand, from October 2020 through March 2021, with flights three times a week. American will be the only carrier to operate this route to the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand.

“The South Island sums up everything that our customers are looking for in New Zealand — adventure, culture and wildlife found no where else,” said Vasu Raja, American’s Senior Vice President of Network Strategy.

American also announced that they’re offering the only direct service between Dallas-Fort Worth and Auckland, New Zealand also starting in October 2020 through March 2021, also three times a week.

In addition, United Airlines will also be offering the only nonstop service to Auckland from New York/Newark starting in October 2020, with flights three times a week. They hope to make New Zealand more accessible to U.S. travelers, as well as making it easier for Kiwis to come north.

"Air New Zealand's nonstop flight will cut travel time by around three hours, putting New Zealand in easy reach of New York and the East Coast United States," said Jeff McDowall, Air New Zealand's acting Chief Executive Officer.