Kiwi Comforts: New Zealand Gets Added Love from North America

Air Canada’s new flight AC51, 787 Dreamliner service from Vancouver to Auckland is marking the carrier’s new seasonal service between Canada and New Zealand with flights that operate four times weekly until the end of March 2020.

In 2018 alone, Canadians heading to New Zealand grew by 6.7 percent to 70,000 visitors.

“Canada is one of New Zealand’s closest international partners. The new Air Canada non-stop service between Vancouver and Auckland will contribute to strengthening our close connections, further increasing our people-to-people links and tourism links,” said Amy Tisdall, New Zealand’s chargée d’affaires.

Air Canada’s state-of-the-art Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners feature 20 Signature Class lie-flat seats, 21 Premium Economy and 214 Economy Class seats with upgraded in-flight entertainment at every seat throughout the aircraft. All Air Canada flights provide for Aeroplan accumulation and redemption and, for eligible customers, access to priority services, Maple Leaf Lounges and other benefits.

Meanwhile, Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) Airport customers will have another destination in the South Pacific to choose from with the addition of American Airlines’ non-stop service to Auckland, New Zealand that will commence operations next October on the carrier’s Boeing 787-9 fleet. The flight will operate seasonally at first, thrice weekly.

Auckland, located on the North Island of New Zealand, is the country’s largest city and is host to major sporting events, festivals, high-end shopping, concerts, and full of world-class food and wine. Forty-eight volcanic cones can be found across Auckland and the city is full of art galleries, museums, and Māori cultural attractions including contemporary art, history, and guided tours.  

DFW Airport welcomed 73.3 million customers during fiscal year 2019, a 6.1 percent increase from the previous year, and has added or announced non-stop service to 30 new destinations since January 2019.  The growth is driven in large part by a surge in international service, with DFW Airport welcoming 9.4 million international passengers during fiscal year 2019. This marks an 8.8 percent increase in international passengers compared to the previous year.

Auckland is the 14th new international destination added since January 2019.  

To continue future growth, DFW Airport remains committed to working closely with American Airlines on plans for Terminal F, with a long-term projection of up to 24 gates in the new facility to help address the continued growth at the Airport.