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Air New Zealand is celebrating 60 years since its first service between Auckland and Hong Kong, marking six decades of connecting people, trade and opportunity between New Zealand and one of Asia’s most dynamic hubs.
To mark the milestone, the airline is offering sale fares from New Zealand to Hong Kong, starting from $699 one way.
On March 3, 1966, Air New Zealand operated its inaugural DC8 service from Auckland to Hong Kong, travelling via Sydney and Darwin and opening a new chapter in its long-haul history.
The route quickly became known for its dramatic arrival into Kai Tak airport, where pilots navigated sharp turns between high-rise apartment blocks before landing on the harbour-side runway.
Key milestones on the route
- March 3, 1966: First Auckland–Hong Kong service using a DC8 via Sydney and Darwin.
- October 28, 1973: First DC10 service begins operating via Sydney.
- April 2, 1978: First non-stop DC10 service launches, operating twice weekly.
- November 3, 1982: A once-weekly Boeing 747 service operates Auckland–Port Moresby–Hong Kong in association with Cathay Pacific and Air Niugini.
- 1983: Air New Zealand establishes a long-term relationship with Cathay Pacific.
- April 2, 1985: Non-stop Boeing 747 service reintroduced.
- December 4, 1986: Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific introduce a bipartite weekly service.
- April 2, 1992: Non-stop Boeing 747 service resumes exclusively.
- November 1, 1995: First Boeing 767 service begins, replacing one of the weekly 747 frequencies.
- April 1998: Final non-stop Boeing 747 service operates; route transitions fully to Boeing 767 aircraft.
- April 2003: Services increase to daily.
- 2013: Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific launch a major strategic alliance.
Today, alongside its alliance partnership with Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand carries more than 350,000 passengers each year on the route, with up to 16 flights a week operating during peak periods into Hong Kong International Airport.
Air New Zealand general manager long haul Kylie McGillivray-Brown says the anniversary highlights the airline’s long-standing commitment to the region.
“Reaching 60 years of service between Auckland and Hong Kong is a proud milestone for Air New Zealand and a testament to the strength of this important connection.
“For six decades, this route has helped connect New Zealand to the world, supporting Kiwi travellers exploring Asia and beyond, enabling our exporters to reach global markets, and welcoming visitors, students and business partners to our shores.”
The route is also a key freight link. In 2025, the majority of products air freighted between Auckland and Hong Kong were carried on Air New Zealand aircraft. Key commodities included e-commerce (70 per cent of volume) and consumer electronics (20 per cent).
In 2025, the airline transported:
- 900 tonnes of milk formula, equivalent to one million cans
- 133 tonnes of eggs
- 85 tonnes of mussels
- 210 tonnes of meat
- 159 tonnes of avocados
