Americans will have a new way to get to the land down under next summer when Qantas inaugurates a direct flight from New York to Sydney, Australia, via Auckland, New Zealand.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce
“We can’t wait to return to New York and it’s made possible by the delivery of new aircraft, which have been caught up in delays that have affected lots of airlines,” Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce stated in a report. The airline suspended stopover service to New York during the coronavirus pandemic.
The new flights are scheduled to operate 3 days a week and will put Qantas in even more direct competition with Air New Zealand, which is set to start nonstop New York to Auckland service in September, also on a thrice-weekly schedule.
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Air New Zealand’s service plan was finalized in March
“The U.S. has always been a key market for us, and this new route cements our commitment to increasing opportunities for tourism between the 2 countries,” CEO Greg Foran told in a report. “In the 6 years leading up to Covid, the US tourist numbers to New Zealand doubled so we expect our much-awaited non-stop service to be incredibly strong year-round.”
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Qantas’ first flights from Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport via Auckland Airport are still waiting on final clearance from regulators, but are tentatively scheduled to start on June 14, 2023.
Air New Zealand’s nonstop from New York’s JFK to Auckland is set to begin on Sept. 17. Bunk beds on airplanes? In economy?: Air New Zealand announces ‘Skynet’ with sleeping pods Both airlines plan to operate Boeing 787 aircraft for the flights, and the transpacific service will take about 17.5 hours southbound and 16 hours northbound, according to Air New Zealand.
Air New Zealand also offers connections to Australia from Auckland, including a 787 flight to Sydney. The nonstop Auckland-New York service is scheduled to operate on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The airline’s schedule lists the flight from Auckland to Sydney at 3 hours and 40 minutes.
Qantas passengers continuing to Sydney will not have to change planes in Auckland but will have the option of transferring there for other destinations in Australia. The airline’s current plan seems to call for flights on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday, meaning there will be no races from Auckland to New York with the current schedule.
The airline also plans to start nonstop flights from New York to Sydney in 2025 as part of its plan known as Project Sunrise. From the archives: Qantas sets record with nearly 20-hour flight from New York to Sydney
How much are fares between New York-Auckland?
The fares listed below are all round-trip for the lowest tier economy tickets available on the selected dates.
- Qantas: New York-Sydney via Auckland, July 12-19: $2,359
- Qantas: New York-Brisbane via Auckland, July 12-19: $2,506
- Qantas: New York-Auckland, July 12-19: $1,997
- Air New Zealand: New York-Sydney via Auckland, July 13-20: $2,132.47
- Air New Zealand: New York-Brisbane via Auckland, July 13-20: $2,337.67
- Air New Zealand: New York-Auckland, July 13-20: $2,246.47
What are Australia, and New Zealand COVID entry restrictions?
Australia does not require a negative test or proof of vaccination to enter the country, but masks are required on inbound international flights.
Individual Australian states and territories may set more stringent testing and quarantining requirements for international passengers.
New Zealand demands most international passengers show proof of vaccination and take 2 rapid antigen tests upon coming. If either test produces a positive result, the passengers will be needed to quarantine for 7 days.
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