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Air New Zealand will use a 777-200 to Houston. (Image: Guillaume Besnard/Flickr)
Air New Zealand is targeting a December start for service to Houston, which would be its third gateway in the mainland U.S., along with San Francisco and Los Angeles. (The carrier also flies to Honolulu and Vancouver.)
Houston Bush Intercontinental (IAH) is a hub for Air New Zealand’s Star Alliance partner United; ANZ plans to fly the new route up to five times a week, and to code-share on several United routes into IAH. United’s code will also go onto the IAH-Auckland flight. Tickets will go on sale starting this month.
The company said a connection to its new Houston route will be the fastest way for business travelers from key business markets like New York and Chicago to get to Auckland.
Air New Zealand will use a 777-200 on the route, one with premium economy seating as well as the carrier’s newly refurbished business class cabin. The plane will have 26 Business Premier seats, 40 in Premium Economy and 246 in regular economy.
Air New Zealand also offers the unique “Economy Sky Couch” option: Pay $1500 extra and you get three economy class seats with a cushion that’s about 3′ x 5′ for sleeping.
Last December, Air New Zealand moved its LAX operations into the Tom Bradley International Terminal, where it also manages a new Star Alliance lounge. The carrier plans to increase Auckland-LAX service this summer from 14 weekly flights to 17.
NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: United’s new 50,000 mile bonus + Secret stash of hidden hotel deals + The most outrageous luxury suites in the sky + Roomier widebodies on domestic flights!
