American Airlines is shaping to begin services from Auckland to the United States in competition to Air New Zealand and its partner United Airlines.
Today’s announcement that American Airlines will begin flying from Auckland to LA from June 2016 will mean big changes for travel between America and New Zealand, according to House of Travel.
When American Airlines said in June it would investigate direct flights to New Zealand Air New Zealand’s share price took a hammering, although it has recovered since. “It will be a nice competition”.
Parker said American Airlines and Qantas had yet to work out prices, but said consumers would benefit from the “friendly competition” with Air New Zealand, which had held a monopoly on the route
“Given American Airlines’ extensive domestic network in the U.S., the alliance also means New Zealand will be a more attractive destination for Americans than ever before”, Bridges said. “Competition, ultimately, is very good for consumers”, he said.
From December 15 the airline will also start direct services from Auckland to Houston five times per week.
American’s 787-8s have only 226 seats, 28 in business class in four across sleeper seats in a herringbone layout, 141 in standard economy with the smallest seat pitch seen since the start of the jet age at 31 inches or 79 cms, and what American calls Main Cabin Extra, with 57 similarly narrow economy seats but with 91 cms seat pitch.
It uses Boeing 777-200 and 777-300 aircraft with economy, premium economy and business class seating on the route. “American Airlines is one of our most important partners, and our joint business allows both airlines to provide an enhanced network and better service for customers across the Pacific”.
In June, Credit Suisse said the launch of rival flights between Auckland and the United States could initially hit Air NZ’s earnings by more than $NZ50 million a year.
“We can build on the LA service over time but we need to walk before we can run, and demonstrate we have digested the Auckland-LA and Sydney-LA markets successfully”.
Tourism Industry Association chief executive Chris Roberts said the USA market was growing at 11 per cent a year, with 237,000 visitors arriving to New Zealand in the past year.
“The United States is our third biggest visitor market and they enjoy what we have to offer”, Roberts said.