Just come in via email, from October 2020 Air NZ is withdrawing their flagship NZ1 from LAX to LHR, meaning that from that date you'll have to fly via partner or alliance carriers if you want to go via the US. At the same time, they're launching a new non-stop AKL-JFK (or EWR) route (ouch). They talk about less than 7% of all AKL-LHR passengers choosing to go via LAX, without addressing the real problem that it's just because the US is utterly balls to transit through.

Air New Zealand has shared some news today that will shape the future of our international network and how our customers will travel.

 

We’ve announced we’re launching a non-stop route from Auckland to New York next October. At the same time, we’ve made the difficult decision to withdraw from our Los Angeles-London service in October 2020.

 

We appreciate this will be disappointing for those who enjoy flying with us to London, so I thought I’d share some context and more importantly, what it means for our customers.

 

A new era for Air New Zealand

 

Our London service has been a flagship route for Air New Zealand since it began in 1982 and it holds special memories for many of us. However, dynamics have changed in recent years.

 

The number of ways to fly between Auckland and London has more than doubled in the past decade and this has changed travel preferences. Less than 7 percent of all airline travellers between Auckland and London chose to fly via Los Angeles last year.

 

The Atlantic has also become one of the most hotly contested routes in the world and we lack the market advantages and scale of the European and North American airlines.

 

Looking ahead, we expect North America to continue to be New Zealand’s fastest growing visitor market. This network reset puts us in the best position to take advantage of this while opening up the Big Apple for our customers.

 

What are my options for travel to London?

 

If you’re currently booked to travel to London with us, there’s no impact to your travel plans. It’s business as usual for our Los Angeles-London flights until the service ceases in October 2020 and no tickets have been sold past this date.

 

After October 2020, there will continue to be plenty of choice. Air New Zealand customers will be able to travel year-round between Auckland and London with partner airlines via 12 gateways in Asia and the Americas, including New York.

 

Airpoints™ members connecting on to our Airpoints partner airlines through the majority of these gateways will continue to earn Airpoints Dollars™ as they do today, and we’ll be working closely with our partners to ensure the best experience for our customers.

 

What happens now?

 

You can continue to book travel between Los Angeles and London on Air New Zealand to October 2020 through our website, contact centre and travel agency partners.

 

We look forward to sharing more details about our partner arrangements to support your travel from our gateways to London, and our exciting New York route in the coming weeks.

 

Finally, thank you for your continued support of Air New Zealand and for being part of this new journey with us, it is truly appreciated.