With Air NZ announcing their last three 787-9s will have a larger premium seating capacity, I can't help but think these will be used to open a new route to America. My first guess would be Chicago. Any thoughts?
Hobart........REALLY? I thought that was done and dusted 20 years ago. Lets see exactly how SQ do with CBR and WLG first.
I am not sure HBA can actually take International PAX any longer. HBA had it's chance all those yaers ago when it had the only casino in OZ but those days are long gone.
I just checked to see if SA had PE but didn't see it as an option and there are a lot of Sth Africans in NZ and Oz. That would be great if they flew to JNB and PE would be a major selling point!
I didn't even think about JNB but that could make a lot of sense especially given SAA's current financial position. If they retimed NZ175 AKL - PER to leave around 0600, it could reach PER by 0930. Stop for two hours then fly onto JNB, you'd be there around 1640 giving plenty of connection options onto SAA's local flights.
If NZ was on the ground for around two hours, it could then fly overnight back to PER and land around 0900. Two hours later head back to AKL and be home around 2130.
The 'normal' Dreamliners currently serving PER could then be shifted onto the new Asian routes such as Chengdu/Osaka/Ho Chi Minh.
NZ could also brag they are one of the only airlines to serve all 6 inhabited continents with the likes of QF/EK/SQ/QR/BA
MelbFlyer
MelbFlyer
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
Member since 23 May 2013
Total posts 25
Air NZs 787-9 announcement
MelbFlyer
MelbFlyer
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
Member since 23 May 2013
Total posts 25
With Air NZ announcing their last three 787-9s will have a larger premium seating capacity, I can't help but think these will be used to open a new route to America. My first guess would be Chicago. Any thoughts?
oruspicarous
oruspicarous
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 18 Jun 2015
Total posts 30
Yeah ORD would be a nice addition as it's also a UA hub.
klane
klane
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
Member since 30 May 2016
Total posts 7
I believe they are likley considering the following as new routes possibilities from 2017 onwards
Hobart ( obvious gap in network ) seasonal trial to link with USA / CA services
Chicago ( New York in an ideal world )
Chengdu
Johannesburg one stop service via MELB or Perth
readosunnycoast
readosunnycoast
Member since 05 Oct 2011
Total posts 117
Hobart........REALLY? I thought that was done and dusted 20 years ago. Lets see exactly how SQ do with CBR and WLG first.
I am not sure HBA can actually take International PAX any longer. HBA had it's chance all those yaers ago when it had the only casino in OZ but those days are long gone.
Koru17
Koru17
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
Member since 04 Sep 2012
Total posts 102
I agree with klane.
EWR/JFK would be great but I'm guessing ORD would be a more pragmatic option.
JNB via PER could be the next destination. Especially if they codeshare with VA and SA (given their financial situation and *A membership)
kiwiwings
kiwiwings
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
Member since 10 Aug 2015
Total posts 12
I just checked to see if SA had PE but didn't see it as an option and there are a lot of Sth Africans in NZ and Oz. That would be great if they flew to JNB and PE would be a major selling point!
GregXL
GregXL
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 26 May 2014
Total posts 320
Air NZ are also retiring their 3 remaining 767s. Will they have increased aircraft availability to add routes?
MelbFlyer
MelbFlyer
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
Member since 23 May 2013
Total posts 25
I didn't even think about JNB but that could make a lot of sense especially given SAA's current financial position. If they retimed NZ175 AKL - PER to leave around 0600, it could reach PER by 0930. Stop for two hours then fly onto JNB, you'd be there around 1640 giving plenty of connection options onto SAA's local flights.
If NZ was on the ground for around two hours, it could then fly overnight back to PER and land around 0900. Two hours later head back to AKL and be home around 2130.
The 'normal' Dreamliners currently serving PER could then be shifted onto the new Asian routes such as Chengdu/Osaka/Ho Chi Minh.
NZ could also brag they are one of the only airlines to serve all 6 inhabited continents with the likes of QF/EK/SQ/QR/BA
MelbFlyer
MelbFlyer
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
Member since 23 May 2013
Total posts 25
I've just thought, the only problem with this is the PER - AKL schedule then wouldn't line up with NZ's services to the USA.