“Our favourite route”: Air New Zealand gets saucy with love letter to New York to celebrate one-year anniversary

A photo of the Tallest Residential Building on the Western Hemisphere, 432 Park Avenue, in Manhattan, New York, part of the skyline, standing tall with the rest of the concrete jungle that is New York City in the background.
By Dan lake


Air New Zealand has marked the one-year anniversary of its first direct New York service with a love letter of sorts to its fellow ‘Newbie’ on the other side of the world.

The letter references the good days and the bad, referring to issues with lost or delayed luggage in the early days of the service as relationship “baggage.”

It also talks about a potential love interest intruder in the shape of Qantas which operates a Sydney – Auckland – New York “direct” service.

Let’s get out the pun counter and see how many we can find. If you think we’ve missed one, then get in touch via email danlake@travelweekly.com.au.

Dear NYC,

After 365 wonderful days, 311 glorious flights and thousands of thrilled customers later, we’re celebrating our best ultra-long-distance relationship to date.

The relationship began at 5pm on 17 September 2022 and boy was it love at first sight. Soaring through the skies at 43,000ft it was clear we would be in it for the long haul.

Every relationship comes with its baggage and this one was no different. We’ve carried thousands of bags and while 65 were (temporarily) left behind, we made sure everyone was reunited with its partner.

(Dozens of travellers without luggage after arriving on Air New Zealand’s New York-Auckland direct flight)

We flirted with some troublesome weather, but we’ll never forget the three romantic dates we spent together in the tropics. And while it doesn’t happen often, we know it’s always there if we need to refuel our relationship.

(The direct service has had to make some not-so-direct stops to top up on fuel)

We’re the first to admit that long distance isn’t always easy, but with commitment, being direct and doing our best to always be on time, we’ve made it work. We’re so lucky to have the full support of our airline whānau to help our relationship thrive.

Our love language is acts of service and over the year we’ve shared more than 112,000 meals, 24,000 glasses of bubbles and cuddled up to watch 344,000 hours of movies together (no Inflight Entertainment and Chill). Nothing says quality time like ultra-long-haul.

We know someone else has turned up on the scene but we’re not the jealous type. We both know who offers a better service in the sky.

(Qantas launched “direct” services to New York from Sydney via Auckland)

Around this time next year, we might look a little different. We’re going in for a FACE lift and knocking 19 years off our age. But don’t worry we’ll still be the same Kiwi you fell in love with all those days ago.

(Referring to the airline’s new cabin interiors which will debut in 2024)

So here’s to our continued journey together. May it be full of clear skies, happy customers and memories to last a lifetime.

Happy anniversary New York – you’re forever our favourite route.

Love,

Air New Zealand

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