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23 March, 2022

Air New Zealand launches direct flights to JFK, teams up with NYC & Company on new campaign

Getting to the Big Apple just got a whole lot easier.

Air New Zealand has revealed it will launch a non-stop service between Auckland and New York’s JFK Airport from 17 September.

The Kiwi carrier will operate three flights a week, year-round with its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft giving Aussies and New Zealanders more choice for travel between the APAC region and North America.

On the heels of this historic announcement, in April NYC & Company will launch digital and out of home advertising in New Zealand and Australia in partnership with Air New Zealand promoting the new flight, as part of the global “It’s Time for New York City” campaign.

As the official destination marketing organisation and convention and visitors bureau for the five boroughs of New York City, NYC & Company is tickled pink with the airline’s announcement.

“New York City is open for business and ready to welcome visitors from all over the world,” Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company said.

“There could be no better time for Air New Zealand to commence their new non-stop service between Auckland and New York City this September, and to partner on our It’s Time for New York City campaign in these critically important markets.”

After a two year pause in overseas travel, New Zealand will reopen its international border on 2 May to visa-waiver countries, marking a moment Kiwis have been waiting for, according to Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran.

“New York is an iconic yet familiar city, a bucket list item. And now for the first time, Kiwis can visit the city of all cities with a non-stop flight,” Foran said.

“New Zealand lets you slow down – in New York, everything is bigger and faster, it’s exciting and awe-inspiring – and it’s now closer than ever.”

Statue of Liberty Island (NYC & Company)

In the six years leading up to Covid, the US visitor numbers to New Zealand doubled, according to Foran, and looking at the average spend in New Zealand by US tourists, the airline estimate that this new route would contribute an additional $65M per year into the local economy.

“Traditionally, flight numbers 1 and 2 are used for an airline’s flagship route. And that’s what New York will be – our flagship route,” he said.

Departing Auckland at 7:40pm, passengers can literally wake up in the city that never sleeps.

“The vibrancy and energy of the City is palpable,” Dixon said.

“With new and iconic destination product across hotels, attractions, restaurants, Broadway, arts and culture, shopping and more, as well as the many small businesses and neighborhoods that make up our five boroughs, we are bullish on NYC’s continued tourism recovery and we are eagerly awaiting the return of New Zealand and Australian visitors.”

Thanks to Air New Zealand’s partnership with United Airlines, passengers wanting to travel further afield can connect on to domestic destinations across the US, Canada and the United Kingdom.

For those wanting to explore more of Europe, Air New Zealand’s network of partnerships can fly passengers direct from New York to Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Brussels, Helsinki, Copenhagen and Stockholm.

Featured image: Brooklyn Bridge, New York City (NYC & Company)

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air new zealand auckland boeing 787-9 dreamliner Fred Dixon Greg Foran JFK Airport new york north america NYC & Company