Air New Zealand is today celebrating 10 years of flying Kiwis to San Francisco. The airline originally began operating three flights per week on June 30, 2004 and now flies daily to this popular North American destination – with plans to go double daily later this year.
The airline will step up its frequency between Auckland and San Francisco to 10 return services per week during the peak season from mid-December to March 2015. The double daily flights will take place on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Air New Zealand’s Chief Sales and Commercial Officer, Cam Wallace, says “The Auckland–San Francisco route is an important part of our long haul network and a popular year round destination with Kiwis. San Francisco is a key US gateway for Kiwi travellers and an equally important departure point for Americans looking to visit New Zealand and Australia. The growth of this route is great news for both our airline and New Zealand’s tourism industry.”
Air New Zealand carried two thirds of all US visitors to New Zealand in the year ended May 2014.
A new Boeing 777-300 aircraft will be introduced to the route from mid-July, initially twice weekly and increasing to six services per week, meaning that passengers flying this route will be able to enjoy the airline’s innovative Premium Economy Spaceseat™ and Economy Skycouch™.
