Air New Zealand is responding to soaring demand for long-haul travel by expanding its premium offering and boosting flights to North America and Asia from October 2025 to March 2026.
Travellers heading to the United States and Canada will benefit from more than 34,000 extra seats, including a 15 per cent jump in premium seating. Across the full long-haul network, the airline is adding 20,500 premium seats and will have up to seven newly retrofitted Boeing 787 Dreamliners in service by year’s end, offering a refreshed inflight experience.
Premium demand leads the way
Jeremy O’Brien, Chief Commercial Officer at Air New Zealand, said the airline is responding directly to customer preferences for greater comfort and seamless travel.
“We’re seeing strong demand, including growing popularity of our premium cabins,” he said.
“Customers want a more comfortable and seamless experience, and we are responding by increasing premium availability and growing flight frequencies across our long haul network.”
The upgraded Dreamliners will service routes including San Francisco, Vancouver, Honolulu and Shanghai, and customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly regarding the enhanced premium cabins.
Key North America route highlights
- Auckland to Los Angeles: Up to 12 flights weekly from December to March, with 24,000 additional seats (16 per cent increase) and 6,800 more premium seats.
- Auckland to Houston: 4,500 extra seats between January and March.
- Auckland to Vancouver: Maintains daily flights during the Canadian snow season, with 25 per cent more premium seats.
- Auckland to San Francisco: 1,800 additional seats and a 21 per cent rise in premium seats.
Asia sees significant premium uplift
- Auckland to Taipei: Now four flights weekly from December to February, up 27 per cent in seat capacity.
- Auckland to Bali: 49 per cent increase in premium seating.
- Auckland to Hong Kong: 28 per cent more premium seats.
- Auckland to Shanghai: 35 per cent premium seat growth year-on-year.
