Air New Zealand announces direct flights to Vancouver

As anticipated by TravelMole, Air New Zealand is launching direct flights between Auckland and Vancouver in November, with Group General Manager International Airline, Ed Sims saying thatCanada has always been an extremely popular destination for New Zealanders, adding, “In turn, Canadians love New Zealand and come here in significant numbers every year.”  “Starting this service will significantly grow tourism numbers between the two countries.”   “Already each year around 46,000 Canadians visit New Zealand and 16,000 Kiwis visit Canada, even before a direct flight.”

The services will initially operate three times a week between November and March to coincide with the peak travel season between the two destinations, as Canadians escape a white winter and Kiwi ski fanatics take advantage of some of the best slopes, scenery, culture and nightlife in the world.

Ed Sims added, “Vancouver is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city that provides a convenient gateway to popular destinations like Whistler, Calgary and the Canadian Rockies and that the new service is a significant undertaking for Air New Zealand, committing aircraft, sales teams and considerable marketing spend to making this a profitable addition to our network.”

At any one time, the airline has more than 20 routes under consideration as part of its long-term strategy to grow the airline, adding, “We are committed to creating at least one new long haul international destination each year.”  “Our previous two – San Francisco and Shanghai – have been hugely popular with customers and bookings on both routes continuing to exceed expectations.  We are sure the new Vancouver service will be similarly successful.”

Prior to the direct service, to reach Vancouver from New Zealand, customers travel via Honolulu, Los Angeles or San Francisco, but with a flight time of approximately 13 hours 45 minutes from New Zealand, the new non-stop service using Air New Zealand’s new Boeing 777-200ER aircraft will shave hours of transit time from customers’ travel itineraries.

For Australian customers, the new service provides a convenient one-stop offering from all eastern seaboard ports that Air New Zealand serves and eliminates the challenges of a US transit-stop as is currently the case with all other carriers.

The service will become the quickest way to Vancouver from both Melbourne and Adelaide.

Ed Sims added, “This non-stop flight is ideally suited to the new $1.7 billion 777 fleet in which Air New Zealand has invested in the past 18 months”.

Flight schedules between Auckland and Vancouver have been designed to meet the needs of both business and leisure travellers, with early evening departure times.

Star Alliance partner Air Canada will also be code sharing on the service, which will depart Auckland on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

The new destination was launched today at a specially-themed breakfast at Air New Zealand headquarters in Auckland.

Flights to Vancouver will begin on Friday 2 November 2007 and run through until Friday 28 March 2008. Tickets are available from today, with prices starting (ex Auckland) from $2289 (excluding airport taxes).

Air New Zealand will operate the following schedule to Vancouver, subject to timeslot, capacity and regulatory approvals:

Flight number and schedule                       

NZ84 – Departs AKL: 1915 – Arrives YVR: 1200

NZ83 – Departs YVR: 1830 – Arrives AKL: 0600+2*

*Note – due to time difference, time of arrival in New Zealand is two days later than departure date.

Australian connecting flight details:

(AKL-YVR departs at 1915) (YVR-AKL arrives at 0600) 

ADL – AKL arrives at 1710: AKL – ADL departs 0715
CNS – AKL arrives at 1800: AKL – CNS departs 0740 
BNE – AKL arrives at 1740: AKL – BNE departs 0930
MEL – AKL arrives at 1720: AKL – MEL departs 0730
SYD – AKL arrives at 1630: AKL – SYD departs 0700

Report by The Mole