Air New Zealand increases capacity on popular Vancouver-Auckland route

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 27, 2015 /CNW/ -- Air New Zealand is adding an additional return service on its Vancouver-Auckland route ahead of the upcoming peak northern summer period between April 2 and May 7, 2016.

The popularity of the airline's service between Auckland and Vancouver will see the airline step up frequency next year from three to four return services per week.

This will be the first time Air New Zealand has operated four return services on the route during this time period. With the fourth flight departing Vancouver on Saturdays, the airline will add more than 3,700 seats to the route, representing a 33 percent boost in capacity compared to the previous year.

The latest increase is part of Air New Zealand's overall capacity increase on the Vancouver-Auckland route and marks the third capacity lift over the past year.

Air New Zealand Vice President of the Americas Chris Myers says, "We are very pleased with the continued growth out of our Vancouver gateway, and with the introduction of the refurbished Boeing 777-200ER on the route, it's only fitting that we are able to offer our Canadian customers more scheduled services when traveling to New Zealand or Australia."

The route will be consistently operated by the refurbished Boeing 777-200ER aircraft from October 25, and customers can now book the airline's revolutionary Economy Skycouch™ and Premium Economy product.

Premium Economy:  In the Premium Economy cabin, travelers can relax in comfortable and luxurious ink-colored leather seats with individual armrests and a leg rest with extendable foot support.

Economy Skycouch™: The award-winning and innovative Economy Skycouch™ - a trio of seats which transforms into a flat, flexible space to stretch out and relax is particularly popular with couples or families.   

Air New Zealand offers a convenient overnight service to New Zealand, departing from Vancouver early evening and arriving into Auckland early in the morning, allowing for same day connections to 21 domestic New Zealand and eight Australian gateways.

Air New Zealand's additional return service on the Vancouver-Auckland route offers greater flexibility and connectivity to New Zealand and Australia. Canadian customers can now book service to Auckland at www.airnewzealand.ca.

For more information contact:

Cherie Whyte, Air New Zealand, [phone]

Charli Sharp, MWWPR, [phone]

About Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand has been connecting travellers for 75 years, and operates, on average, 500 flights a day within a network of 51 cities in 17 countries including 22 destinations within New Zealand. North American services include non-stop flights to New Zealand from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston (commencing 15 December 2015), Honolulu and Vancouver B.C., and Los Angeles non-stop to the Cook Islands and London.

Air New Zealand is proud to be a member of Star Alliance. The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer worldwide reach, recognition and seamless service to the international traveller. Its acceptance by the market has been recognized by numerous awards, including the Air Transport World Market Leadership Award and Best Airline Alliance by both Business Traveller Magazine and Skytrax. The member airlines are: Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Avianca in Brazil, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI and United. Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers more than 18,500 daily flights to 1,330 airports in 192 countries.

For more information about Air New Zealand visit www.airnewzealand.com and for more information about Star Alliance visit www.staralliance.com and/or follow Star Alliance on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, LinkedIn or Instagram 

SOURCE Air New Zealand