United Announces largest South Pacific expansion in aviation history, including direct flight to Christchurch
United Airlines has announced the largest South Pacific network expansion ever to and from the continental U.S., including the first non-stop flight between San Francisco and Christchurch set to commence on December 1.
Christchurch Airport Chief Executive Justin Watson says the new service will get South Islanders to the US on one flight and also responds to Americans’ interest in the South Island.
“The American travel market is buoyant. Americans are travelling widely again and we know they want to experience what the South Island offers,” he says.
“This new service will supercharge tourism value to New Zealand. Statistics show American visitors who enter the country through Christchurch Airport spend 42 per cent more in New Zealand and stay 33 per cent longer.
“Based on government data, the seasonal service is forecast to bring in $44 million in visitor spend for New Zealand, with $32 million of that in South Island regions. This is the ideal combination of national value impact and regional economic impact.
“The service will help South Island high-value exports to the US, which, based on historical records, could exceed 800 tonnes for the season.”
United will be the only carrier to directly connect the U.S. and the South Island of New Zealand. With 66 flights between the US and Australia/New Zealand every week, United will operate nearly 40 per cent more flights from the U.S. to Australia and New Zealand next northern winter versus last year.
Justin says the United Airlines service will connect Christchurch, America and Antarctica.
“We are the world’s southernmost gateway to Antarctica, with the United States Antarctic Programme based here. That brings more than 3000 staff, researchers and supplies from the US every year to Christchurch, and on to Antarctica in our summer.
“The service will make the west coast of America one flight away for South Islanders and we have every expectation the service will be well used in both directions.”
Thanks to United’s relationships with Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia, travellers can enjoy easy one-stop connections from these cities to more than 50 destinations in the region.
United already flies to more destinations in Australia and New Zealand than all other U.S. carriers combined, and now will have more flights and serve more destinations in the region from the U.S. than any other carrier in the world.
“This past winter, United enhanced our network and became the largest carrier to the South Pacific region. Now, this upcoming winter, we will expand even further,” says senior vice president of global network planning and alliances Patrick Quayle.
“Our strong partnerships with Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia provide unparalleled connectivity, and with our historic expansion across five destinations in New Zealand and Australia, United is the clear choice for customers’ travel to the region.”
Starting December 1, United will be the only airline to offer direct flights between the U.S. and New Zealand’s South Island, with the first direct San Francisco-Christchurch service. United will fly this route three times weekly on a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. United’s new flight to Christchurch is part of the airline’s broader expansion efforts in New Zealand and next winter, the airline will be nearly 70 per cent larger in New Zealand than in 2019.
Next winter, United will build on its position as the largest U.S. airline to Auckland, adding four weekly flights from Los Angeles. United is the only U.S. carrier to serve Auckland year-round with its existing service from San Francisco. United will fly its Los Angeles-Auckland route on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, starting October 28.
