Air NZ steps up LA summer flights

Air NZ will be flying its Boeing 777 aircraft - like the one pictured - to Los Angeles more next year, as part of a 20pc boost in capacity between April and October.

Air New Zealand will step up flights between Auckland and Los Angeles from two to three times a day during the northern summer next year.

From next April to October a third flight will leave Auckland on Monday, Thursday and Saturday, representing a 20 per cent boost in total capacity.

The airline is also increasing capacity between Auckland and Vancouver by 10 per cent by boosting the current three flights a week to five for from June to September - a longer period than currently over the northern summer.

At its results briefing last month the airline indicated its overall capacity could increase by 6 per cent in the 2015 financial year, largely because of new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners joining its fleet and the addition of leased 777-300s. The airline is also fitting more seats into its older 777-200s.

The additional Los Angeles services will depart Auckland earlier than the current daily services arriving in Los Angeles around 9am and enabling same day connections with Midwest and East Coast United States destinations.

The earlier departure time will also suit Australian travellers heading to the USA, with convenient Melbourne and Sydney connections, the airline said.

The additional services will depart Los Angeles later than now allowing for later connections while still arriving into Auckland around 7am in time for passengers to connect to domestic New Zealand and Australia flights.

Air New Zealand chief sales and commercial officer Cam Wallace said the airline was responding to customer feedback.

"Frequent LA travellers told us they wanted to be able to arrive earlier, particularly when connecting to the US East Coast. We're thrilled to now be able to offer this to our customers."

It is estimated Air New Zealand's long haul capacity could grow 9 per cent this year.

Air New Zealand faces increased competition from Hawaiian Airlines in connecting to a range of points on the United States mainland.