Why We’re Excited about New Flights to NZ

New Zealand, geographically located at the meeting point of the South Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea seems a long distance away when flying here from the four corners of the world.

However, on landing in our beautiful country, visitors are treated to magnificent landscapes, creative cuisine in world-class restaurants, stylish bars, entertaining events, and then, there’s the people. New Zealand’s people are hospitable, engaging and down-to-earth and if you want to go somewhere where the locals make you feel at home New Zealand is THAT destination.

An unbeatable destination

Here at Black Label we celebrate and share everything with our clients that makes New Zealand an unforgettable luxury travel getaway – superyacht charters that cruise through uncrowded waterways, Maori cultural discoveries you won’t find in a guide book, uniquely Kiwi food and wine experiences, five-star accommodation in the most spectacular locations and activities to soothe your soul or shake up your senses.

Exciting times ahead

Subsequently, a number of press releases over the past few months have us excited and looking forward to creating more dream journeys in 2016.

What has us brimming with enthusiasm? The number of airline announcements of new flights scheduled for New Zealand.

The introduction of new flights and routings from various carriers is a great opportunity for Black Label to further cement our position as experts in luxury travel within New Zealand with increased passenger numbers opening up more options for us to create premium itineraries to match our clients’ needs.

If you’ve missed the action, here’s a recap:

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand will commence flights between Auckland and Buenos Aires starting in December 2015 making the Argentinian capital their 28^th international port.

The introduction of thrice-weekly flights to Buenos Aires is significant to us because it will create the most direct route from Argentina to New Zealand (and seamless connections for our clients travelling onto Australia or the Pacific), as well as connections across South America via code-share partners which is great news for our Brazilian clients.

Also, starting in mid-December, our national carrier will soon provide nonstop service between Houston, Texas and Auckland up to five times per week, making Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport Air New Zealand’s fifth North American gateway (joining Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver and Honolulu).

Flights will operate as a code-share with United Airlines and will make New Zealand more desirable as a destination for our North American market with a solid airport hub link to the East Coast of the US.

From June to October 2016, Air New Zealand will also fly three times a week from Auckland to Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport which will provide market reach to more South-East Asian clients.

On top of this, Air New Zealand has been named Australasia’s Leading Airline for the seventh consecutive year at the 2015 World Travel Awards. They also celebrated their 75^th anniversary earlier this year since the founding of Tasman Empire Airways Ltd (as Air NZ was previously known).

China Southern Airlines

China Southern Airlines will begin flying a new year-round air service directly between Guangzhou, Mainland China and Christchurch from December 2015. Guangzhou is one of the fastest growing airport hubs in Asia, so this new service will provide direct international air connections from many parts of Asia and Europe and this is fantastic for our Chinese clients as well as the South Island tourism operators we partner with.

Philippine Airlines

In December 2015, Philippine Airlines will start flying to Auckland from Manila, operating four days a week using an Airbus A320 with a stopover in Cairns, Australia. The Philippines are blossoming in their own way and we’re happy to network and forge partnerships.

American Airlines

Starting in June 2016, American Airlines will add a new non-stop service on their Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners between Los Angeles, California and Auckland offering one daily round-trip flight between the two locations.

The new service from American Airlines will go head-to-head with Air New Zealand, which currently has that route to itself so we’re expecting fierce airfare competition which is likely to benefit our North American clients.

United Airlines

United Airlines has the most trans-Pacific services, and they will be increasing their network from July 2016 by offering non-stop flights between San Francisco, California and Auckland.

The Auckland flights will operate in partnership with United’s Star Alliance partner Air New Zealand with services scheduled for three times each week beginning July 1, 2016, expanding to daily service in October to coincide with the peak Northern American winter travel season.

If you are interested in taking advantage of these excellent new airline routes to experience New Zealand in an authentic way, get in touch with Black Label today to discuss a range of bespoke itineraries.