Air NZ to encompass the globe

Ed Sims

Air New Zealand says it will become the only true round the world airline, when it launches new flights between Hong Kong and London.

The airline has been planning to double its flights into London since the UK Government last year freed up aviation rights between Britain and New Zealand. It now says these flights will begin on October 28 this year, using a re-fitted Boeing 747-400.

Group general manager, international airlines, Ed Sims said demand for travel between the UK and New Zealand had grown significantly since its daily service was launched in 1998, with arrivals increasing an average of 10 per cent a year.

Air NZ already flies to and from Heathrow once a day, via Los Angeles, but it has long wanted more flights, especially during the peak summer tourist season. Its says the new Hong Kong-London route means it offers the world's only "current round-the-world service on one airline".

It will also become the only member of the Star Alliance flying between Hong Kong and London.

Sims said Air NZ flights from London are "90 to 100 per cent full" during peak times.

The arrival of new long-haul Boeing 777 aircraft allows Air NZ to look at flying new routes, including the start of three times a week flights to Shanghai in November this year.

Prospects of doubling flights to London encouraged the airline to keep hold of one of its leased Boeing 747-400s, which will be refitted with new lie-flat premium seats and inflight entertainment systems.


Hong Kong-London

* The new flights will leave Auckland just before midnight, arriving in Hong Kong at 6.15am.
* After a two-hour transit, the plane takes off for London, arriving at Heathrow 1.30pm.
* On the way back, flights leave at 9.15pm, arriving at Hong Kong at 5pm.
* It arrives back in Auckland at 10.45am.
* Tickets for the new service are already on sale.