New ‘Round the World’ service takes off

28 October 2006

Air New Zealand’s new ‘Round the World’ service takes off

The All Blacks will help celebrate Air New Zealand’s maiden service to London via Hong Kong tonight, travelling privately in Business Premier and becoming one of the first passengers to experience the airline’s new route.

The inaugural second daily service to London, which departs tonight at 11.59pm, will increase Air New Zealand’s current capacity between the United Kingdom and New Zealand by nearly 80 percent.

“Demand for travel between New Zealand and the United Kingdom has steadily increased since introducing our daily service in 1998,” said Air New Zealand Group General Manager International Airline Ed Sims.

“This signficant capacity increase allows us to meet the high market demand but also stimulate new travellers to the UK and Europe over Hong Kong. The new service also means Air New Zealand will have the distinction of being the only airline to offer a round the world service into and out of New Zealand, flying via Hong Kong in the East or Los Angeles in the West,” said Mr Sims.

“This gives travellers the option of flying around the world with stopovers at either Hollywood or Kowloon, for the price of a return New Zealand to London fare.”

Air New Zealand will be the only Star Alliance carrier to operate between Hong Kong and London.

The airline will operate the new route utilising newly refurbished Boeing 747-400 aircraft. The 386-seat aircraft includes 46 fully lie-flat Business Premier seats, 31 Pacific Premium Economy seats and 309 seats in Pacific Economy, all with on demand audio-visual entertainment.

Return Pacific Economy airfares to London start from $2754 inclusive of taxes. Customers have the option to stop over in either Los Angeles or Hong Kong (additional taxes will apply).

Air New Zealand is also currently offering an Early Bird return Pacific Economy airfare of $2304 inclusive of taxes, for sale until 15 December 2006 for travel between 1 February and 31 October 2007.

Air New Zealand’s new second daily London service via Hong Kong:

Flight No. Schedule Flight Time
NZ39 Departs AKL 2355
Arrives HKG 0615+1 11:20
Departs HKG 0815

Arrives LHR 1335 13:20

NZ38 Departs LHR 2115

Arrives HKG 1700+1 11:45
Departs HKG 1900
Arrives AKL 1045+1 10:45

ENDS

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