A United Airlines 787 Dreamliner. Photo / Supplied
United Airlines has announced new services between the United States and New Zealand next summer in a major expansion that should put downward pressure on air fares.
The giant US carrier will fly four flights a week between Los Angeles and Auckland and is starting a new Christchurch and San Francisco service three times a week.
One travel expert says while there had not been much difference recently between airlines in peak-season pricing, the arrival of more capacity could change that.
“However, we may see some sales being introduced as the routes become more established which will be great for those wanting to book in advance,” said Flight Centre’s NZ managing director Victoria Courtney.
Starting December 1, United will be the only airline to offer direct flights between the US and the South Island, with the first direct San Francisco-Christchurch service.
United will fly this route with a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. United’s new flight to Christchurch is part of the airline’s broader expansion efforts in New Zealand and next winter, the airline will be nearly 70 per cent larger in New Zealand than it was in 2019.
And United will build on its position as the biggest US airline to Auckland, adding four weekly flights from Los Angeles.
The airline serves Auckland year-round with its existing service from San Francisco and will fly its Los Angeles-Auckland route starting on October 28, also with a Dreamliner.
Flights to Australia are also being increased in a big play into this region. United will operate nearly 40 per cent more flights from the US to Australia and New Zealand next northern winter than it did last year.
“This past winter, United enhanced our network and became the largest carrier to the South Pacific region. Now, this upcoming winter, we will expand even further,” said Patrick Quayle, senior vice-president of global network planning and alliances. Quayle was in New Zealand last month talking to airports and alliance partner Air NZ.
Air New Zealand’s chief transformation and alliances officer, Mike Williams, said the airline was thrilled at the deal which comes after rival Delta Air Lines announced it would take on the Kiwi carrier on the Auckland-Los Angeles route with daily flights over summer.
Williams said the new United flights meant the total number of routes offered by its alliance deal increased to eight.
Links to North America are growing as airlines restore more capacity after slashing it earlier in the pandemic. Yesterday Air Canada announced it would boost capacity next summer by 20 per cent. In June Qantas will fly three times a week between Auckland and New York taking Air New Zealand wing tip to wing tip on its flagship route. In October, Delta Air Lines will fly to the country for the first time. Delta will launch daily flights over summer between Auckland and Los Angeles in a move that will take on Air New Zealand head to head on a route the Kiwi carrier has had to itself with non-stop flying.
Other airlines including Hawaiian, Air Tahiti Nui and Fiji Airways are promoting more one-stop deals to the United States mainland.
Flights through the Middle East may also get more seamless with Qatar Airways working on restoring non-stop flights between Auckland and Doha using A350 aircraft. At present the airline flies via Adelaide with a Boeing 777 plane.
Christchurch Airport has welcomed the United service. Chief executive Justin Watson said the new flights would get South Islanders to the US on one flight and also responded to Americans’ interest in the South Island.
“The American travel market is buoyant. Americans are travelling widely again and we know they want to experience what the South Island offers.
“This new service will supercharge tourism value to New Zealand. Statistics show American visitors who enter the country through Christchurch Airport spend 42 per cent more in New Zealand and stay 33 per cent longer.
“Based on government data, the seasonal service is forecast to bring in $44 million in visitor spend for New Zealand, with $32m of that in South Island regions. This is the ideal combination of national value impact and regional economic impact.
“The service will help South Island high-value exports to the US, which, based on historical records, could exceed 800 tonnes for the season.”
Watson said the United Airlines service would connect Christchurch, America and Antarctica.
“We are the world’s southernmost gateway to Antarctica, with the United States Antarctic Programme based here. That brings more than 3000 staff, researchers and supplies from the US every year to Christchurch, and on to Antarctica in our summer.
“The service will make the west coast of America one flight away for South Islanders and we have every expectation the service will be well used in both directions.”
Auckland Airport’s chief commercial officer Scott Tasker said North America has been a fast-growing market for inbound travel, with New Zealand currently rating as one of the most desirable destinations for Americans to travel to on the trip of a lifetime.
‘‘So we’re delighted at United Airlines’ announcement that they’ll be boosting summer services to and from Auckland and Los Angeles. We’re excited about the opportunities this will create for New Zealand’s tourism industry and the wider economy, along with the additional seat capacity providing more choice and competition for travellers.”
Flight Centre’s Courtney said the route between the US and NZ is very much a two-way street and for the peak periods for Americans travelling through to NZ, there may find some cheaper deals back to the US.
“So, for those that want to do a winter at Disney or some skiing, keep an eye out,” she said.
The exchange rate between the two countries (today, 62c to the US dollar) makes this country a value destination for Americans. However, the kiwi dollar doesn’t go as far in the US.
“Our advice for Kiwis is to book not only their flights but their accommodation, car hire, transfers and sight-seeing activities before they head to the US, making holiday budgeting easier and ensuring they get the most out of their experience.”
United Airlines is one of the world’s largest, is based in Chicago, a member of the Star Alliance which Air New Zealand is also a member of, and flies to more than 210 destinations in the US and more than 120 destinations internationally.
It operated more than 4000 daily flights across five continents.
The airline sold its last slots at Heathrow in 2020.