Air New Zealand announced it has resumed its non-stop service to San Francisco, and looks forward to resuming services to Honolulu on 4 July and to Houston on 7 July. This follows the airline recently announcing commencement of its new service between Auckland and New York, JFK from 17 September 2022, and the airline carrying passengers daily between Auckland and Los Angeles since March this year. Air New Zealand has also been flying three times a week to Vancouver since February.
The services to San Francisco will initially operate three times a week with state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, meaning that customers flying these routes will be able to enjoy the airline’s uniquely kiwi Business Premier, Premium Economy and Economy Skycouch product offerings. The configuration of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner that will service these routes offers more Premium seats than other Dreamliners in the airline’s fleet.
“Recommencing services across our North America routes as the border reopens is another step towards the gradual resumption of flights to destinations across our international network,” says Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Sales Officer Leanne Geraghty. “Our North America network plays a key role in our Kia Mau Thrive strategy, so it’s great to be able to reopen another important port into the region. San Francisco is a year-round destination for Kiwis and equally, an important departure point for Americans looking to visit New Zealand and Australia. With our strong partnership with United Airlines, our customers can fly daily to hundreds of domestic destinations across the USA. And with our Star Alliance and other alliances partners, we also offer multiple international connecting opportunities to Canada, UK and Europe.”
ANZ adjusts travel requirements for orange traffic light setting
As New Zealand moves through the peak of Omicron and the country moves to the orange traffic light setting, Air New Zealand will be adjusting some of its travel requirements. Customers will no longer be required to show proof of vaccination or negative test to fly around the country and from 1 May 2022, it will remove its no jab, no fly vaccination policy for international customers.
Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran says as New Zealand has seen a drop in transmission and is overall, a highly vaccinated population, removing some of the requirements makes sense. “As Omicron took hold in the community, we put in place several temporary measures aimed at keeping our employees, customers and New Zealand safe. After a careful risk assessment, we feel now is the right time to step back some of those measures. New Zealand is moving back towards a sense of normality. We’re seeing customers return to our domestic network and we’re welcoming back Australians from today. We’re aware that Covid is not behind us yet and we have taken a considered approach and will continue to revise safety measures depending on what we’re seeing here in New Zealand and around the world.
Masks will still be required onboard under the orange traffic light setting for customers and employees. Air New Zealand’s Domestic Flexibility Policy is in place until 30 April meaning customers with a booking up until 30 April 2022 who no longer wish to travel can opt into credit or change their flight with no change fees.
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