Air New Zealand will boost its flights between Perth and Auckland by year's end with the launch of three additional return services each week.
From December 11 2015 through May 1 2016, a Boeing 767-300 will complement the airline’s existing Boeing 787-9 flights on the route and will be timed for seamless connections to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston and Vancouver.
The extra flights also align with the Kiwi carrier’s new Auckland-Buenos Aires services, which too launch in December.
From Perth, NZ174 pushes back at 6am on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays to reach Auckland at 5:30pm local time.
On the return journey, NZ177 takes to the skies at 7pm on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays to reach the mining capital at 9:40pm that evening.
“We know travellers prefer to get to their destinations as quickly, comfortably and seamlessly as possible and we’re pleased to be able to time these extra services specifically to suit the West Australian market,” said Air New Zealand Chief Sales and Commercial Officer Cam Wallace.
Virgin Australia Velocity members can earn both frequent flyer points and status credits when travelling on Air New Zealand, while members of AirNZ’s own Airpoints program can accrue Airpoints dollars.
Competitor Qantas flies non-stop between Perth and Auckland only during peak periods, but will do so again this year with a single weekly return flight running between October 30 and December 6 2015, growing to twice-weekly from December 11 2015 until March 26 2016.
Read: Qantas to continue seasonal Perth-Auckland flights
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Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
19 Feb 2014
Total posts 439
As the 787-9 is currently operating the route, I wonder if they can fill the 767 since people would rather fly on the 787?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Mar 2014
Total posts 38
Maybe for a few, but for most people, they dont even realise or care what aircraft they book on.
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1563
Heck! Majority do not even know aircraft type AFTER flight!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 May 2011
Total posts 362
Doesn't look like the flights have been loaded yet. Any idea on the schedule?
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2424
We've just received the schedule from NZ HQ so have now included this above.
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
05 Nov 2014
Total posts 65
6 am departure?
Ouch!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Dec 2011
Total posts 29
NZ were offering some pretty cheap Y fares ex Perth recently.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Mar 2014
Total posts 38
Also noticed that the exisiting NZ175 which used to depart AKL around 2:30pm has been retimed to 10:50am AKL departure to better connect from the morning arrivals from North & South America.
Good for connections, but it now means the aircraft sits for 6 hours in PER
QFF
19 Sep 2013
Total posts 209
Don't know they had to do that as it was full last week. This change makes it diifficult to connect from Christchurch or Queenstown.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
14 Jan 2014
Total posts 340
Their B767 is nasty!! Absolutely horrible seats in Biz...
Can't believe they use this plane and its layout on flights to LA via the South Pacific Islands.
QFF
19 Sep 2013
Total posts 209
I believe the 767s are gradually being replaced.
18 Mar 2014
Total posts 98
It's only a once weekly RAR-LAX service. Very few people would fly all the way from AKL straight through to LA this way, they'd stick to the 777's.
As grov has said, they are being retired anyway.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 May 2011
Total posts 362
And the 777s are not much better in economy. 10 abreast. I'd rather fly the 767...
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
14 Jan 2014
Total posts 340
Depends if it's a refurbished B777-200ER or not.
The non-refurbished B777-200's still have the 9 abreast seating in economy.
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1563
And be prepared that they swap aircraft at their pleasure without even notify passengers! I dislike 767 the most from all Boeing offers and I really happy that Qantas finishes with them.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 May 2014
Total posts 112
Awesome news, provides a connection without having to wrestle the east coast SYD/MEL dramas to NZ, Pacific and South America from the Middle East!
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