Air New Zealand to introduce San Francisco services

San Francisco, one of the most popular holiday destinations for Australians, will become Air New Zealand’s 21st international destination from 30 June, with non stop flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

The new flights will operate via Auckland every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, arriving in San Francisco around midday the following day.

“San Francisco is a great destination in its own right, with attractions ranging from the famous Fishermans Wharf to the infamous Alcatraz Prison,” said Mr Michael Reed, Air New Zealand’s General Manager, Australia.

“It is also a major and very convenient hub for our fellow Star Alliance carriers, including United Airlines and Air Canada both operating a range of services throughout North America, and the German carrier Lufthansa flying to and within Europe.”

Air New Zealand began flying to the US West Coast in 1965 with Douglas DC-8 jet services into Los Angeles. Today the airline carries more than 490,000 passengers into LA each year from Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands and the UK.

Mr Reed said the addition of San Francisco as Air New Zealand’s second mainland US gateway would meet growing demand for services to the city, and would provide another option for the growing number of Australians travelling to US and Canadian ski resorts during the northern hemisphere winter.

“With the Australian dollar strengthening against the US currency, there has not been a better time in years to book a visit to America,” he said.

The San Francisco flights – to be operated with 392-seat Boeing 747-400 aircraft - compliment the existing double daily flights between Auckland and Los Angeles. The carrier also flies three times weekly to a third US destination, Honolulu, and offers access throughout North America through code share services operated by its Star Alliance partners.