Air NZ doubles San Francisco flights

Air New Zealand is doubling the number of flights from Auckland to San Francisco, from three to six times a week.

Marketing manager Norm Thompson said the Auckland-San Francisco services had proven "extremely popular" and would now operate Tuesday to Sunday.

"Since this time last year passenger numbers have increased by ten percent, we have sustained high average load factors and our forward bookings are strong," he said.

Services will initially be operated with a mix of the airline's new Boeing 777-200 ER and refitted Boeing 747-400 aircraft, which boast new "lie flat" beds in business premier class.

By mid-December the route will become fully operated by the new B777s, which will also be flying some trans-Tasman routes at peak times and a variety of other routes as new aircraft are introduced over the next year.

NZPA