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Air New Zealand says it will operate the Boeing 787-9 between Adelaide and Auckland on year-round basis following the successful introduction of the next generation widebody late last month.
The 787-9 was first deployed to Adelaide on October 26, initially as a seasonal offering three times a week running between October 2017 and March 2018.
However, Air New Zealand said on Wednesday it would keep the 787-9 on the route beyond March with the same three flights a week schedule as is the case currently. It said this represented a 30 per cent increase in capacity compared with the same time a year ago.
The Star Alliance member will also supplement the Dreamliner flights with an additional one or two services a week using Airbus A320 narrowbodies during peak travel periods.
Air New Zealand chief revenue officer Cam Wallace said there had been a positive response to the introduction of the Dreamliner just over a month ago.
“We’ve seen strong demand for the premium inflight experiences available on our Dreamliner aircraft with both business premier and premium economy really resonating with customers,” Wallace said in a statement.
“It’s also great to be able to offer our South Australian customers travelling to North or South America a seamless premium travel experience from the moment they board in Adelaide through to the transit experience at our Auckland hub and onto their long haul flight.”
The Star Alliance member is the only airline offering nonstop flights between Adelaide and Auckland. The 787-9s used on the Adelaide route feature 18 business class seats with direct aisle access for every passenger, 21 premium economy at seven abreast and 263 economy seats in a 3-3-3 configuration.
Adelaide is one of five Australian points where Air New Zealand has widebody services with either the Boeing 787-9, 777-200ER and/or 777-300ER, alongside Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
The New Zealand flag carrier has focused heavily on boosting international transfer passengers in recent times, with a particular emphasis on capturing a larger share of Australians heading to the Americas, where it serves six destinations – Buenos Aires, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver.
Efforts have included sale fares of less than $1,000 for a return ticket to the US, as well as the use of more widebodied services to ensure a consistent product offering on the trans-Tasman leg and the long-haul flight across the Pacific.
Scott
says:I’m suprised Air New Zealand didn’t wheel out a 1000 piece marching band for this 787 announcement.
James
says:Get off their back Scott.
The story is more about their services to ADL than the use of 787’s.
It’s still a new aircraft. Imagine, if you can, the press surrounding the use of the 747-400 when it was first introduced. Having a “2 crew flight deck, EFIS” and all that range would have been fantastic news. Keeping in mind, it was an update on a 20 year old aircraft at the time. Or even the 777, another clean sheet Boeing aircraft.
This is good news for ADL and the cities NZ customers.
Scott
says:James
Relax the comment was tongue and cheek after what has been in the media from the recent QF 787 “revolution” launch and articles ranging from “revolutionary” foot nets in economy and the like.. Nothing against ANZ, just a bit of fun.
James
says:Tongue in cheek eh. Well fair enough.
Forgive me for getting frustrated by the keyboard warrior, armchair aviation analysts that seem to frequent this fantastic magazine.
David
says:It never ceases to amaze me how all these international airlines can operate services to Adelaide, yet Qantas doesn’t even consider Adelaide. Why is this Alan? How is it International Airlines can make a go of these routes, yet Qantas can’t?
Patrickk
says:David it may well be that to basing planes and crew in Adelaide is much more expensive than flying to and from a place. In this case ANZ can do it without putting the crew up in Adelaide over night. QF could use Jetconnect to do it and base a A332 in NZ but there may be more lucrative routes.
k lane
says:Scott, what’s your point. Are you ex Ansett? Bizarre. This is good for Adelaide, good for air freight exporters – no seeing too many egg shells here.
Well done Air NZ
Chris
says:As I originally predicted, Air NZ has received its 11th B789 this month, allowing an all year round B789 AKL/ADL/AKL service.
Brad
says:Gee Adelaide is really developing; now they 787s and the chance of having electricity all summer!!!
Jarden
says:Also Cairns gets Air New Zealand wide body aircraft on a seasonal basis. Only Gold Coast gets solely the A320 now
Kim
says:Hey Brad. We are “guaranteed” permanent electricity supply over summer thanks to Elon Musk’s battery backup to the nearby windfarm. However, any blackout over 20 mins. will see us blacked-out again.
On a more serious note – it is difficult to gain QF status points living in Adelaide as there are no International flights. One stop on the way to Europe is adequate as against 2 with Qantas. We now use Qatar with a late evening departure. Have tried Cathay but had an 8hr. layover in HongKong.