United Airlines and Air New Zealand Form Joint Venture Partnership

United Airlines and Air New Zealand have signed a joint venture revenue-sharing agreement, deepening the partnership between the two airlines, which are both members of Star Alliance.

Under the new revenue-sharing agreement, the carriers will more closely coordinate sales and marketing in order to offer their mutual customers more travel options between the mainland U.S. and New Zealand, as well as to other destinations throughout the airlines’ route networks.

“This joint venture will allow us to work more closely with Air New Zealand to optimize our trans-Pacific schedules and offer more convenient flight choices to our customers in both the U.S. and New Zealand,” said Jim Compton, United’s vice chairman and chief revenue officer. “We look forward to continuing to work with Air New Zealand, an industry innovator and leader, to further grow our business in ways that will benefit our mutual customers.”

The arrangement will begin when United launches its nonstop service between San Francisco and Auckland on 1 July 2016, subject to government approval.

“Air New Zealand is delighted to be working even more closely with our long standing partner to further grow the potential of the U.S. market,” said Christopher Luxon, Air New Zealand’s Chief Executive Officer. “We know that New Zealand is a popular destination for American leisure travelers. By working more closely with such a strong home market carrier as United we look forward to welcoming even more American visitors to enjoy our unique Kiwi tourism experience.”

Air New Zealand currently operates nonstop service to five North American destinations from Auckland, including daily flights to San Francisco, twice-daily flights to Los Angeles, and five weekly flights to Houston.

With the start of United’s San Francisco-Auckland flights on 1 July, the two carriers will operate complementary service on that route, with their respective nonstop flights timed to offer travelers more choice and convenience across the airlines’ combined networks.

Initially, United will operate the service three times weekly using Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, transitioning to daily service in November 2016, with larger Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

Since 2001, the United and Air New Zealand alliance has provided substantial benefits to the traveling public through codesharing, frequent flyer programs and distribution. The airlines currently codeshare on domestic routes in the U.S. and New Zealand, and on additional routes in North America, Central America, Australia and the Pacific Islands, as well as to London.

Loyalty Program Benefits

United and Air New Zealand currently have a frequent flyer loyalty agreement as members of Star Alliance. MileagePlus and Airpoints members will continue to have reciprocal benefits to earn and redeem on both airlines.

See other recent news regarding: United, United Airlines, Air New Zealand, New Zealand, Auckland, San Francisco