Air New Zealand to Add Capacity to North America for the Upcoming Summer Season
- Joe Breitfeller
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Air New Zealand has announced a boost in long haul travel with more premium and North America seats for the upcoming summer schedule, which runs from October 2025 through March 2026.
On Thursday (June 12, 2025), Air New Zealand announced an increase in long-haul capacity with more premium and North America seats this summer. From October 2025 through March 2026, the carrier will offer more choice and comfort on key international routes. Customers traveling to North America will have access to 34,000 additional seats, alongside 20,500 premium seats across Air New Zealand’s wider long-haul network. Additionally, the carrier will deploy seven newly retrofitted Boeing 787 Dreamliners into service by the end of the year, offering guests a completely refreshed onboard experience from nose to tail.
In Thursday’s announcement, Air New Zealand’s Chief Commercial Officer, Jeremy O’Brien, said,
“We’re seeing strong demand, including growing popularity of our premium cabins. 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.
“As we move through the year, more of our newly retrofitted 787 aircraft will enter service, bringing a refreshed experience to destinations such as San Francisco, Honolulu, Vancouver, and Shanghai. The feedback so far has been fantastic, with customers loving the new seating — particularly the additional space and comfort in premium cabins.
“With strong summer demand on the horizon, we are pleased to be offering even more options to our customers, whether they are travelling for business, leisure, or reconnecting with friends and whānau.”
In total, Air New Zealand will operate 8.0 percent more seats to the U.S. and Canada compared to the previous year, including a 15 percent increase in premium seating.
Flights between Auckland and Los Angeles will see 11 to 12 flights per week between December and March, adding nearly 24,000 more seats than the same period last year, a 16 percent year-over-year increase, including an additional 6,800 premium seats. Auckland to Vancouver will maintain up to seven services per week with the larger Boing 777 added to the schedule over the December to early February peak. Premium seating will increase by 25 percent, including a 30 percent increase in Premium Economy and an 18 percent increase in Business Premier. Service between Auckland and San Francisco will see 1,800 additional seats, a 3.0 percent increase over last year and 2,700 more premium seats, a 21 percent increase, as daily services continue into mid-February and March frequencies rise from five to six flights per week.
Guests flying from Auckland to Taipei will see an expansion of service from three to four weekly flights between December and February, an addition of 11, 800 seats, a 27 percent increase, timed to serve Christmas peak and Chines New Year travel. Auckland to Bali will see a 49 percent increase in premium seats, an additional 2,400 premium seats. Auckland to Hong Kong will see 28 percent more premium seats, an addition of 3,700 Business Premier and Premium Economy seats on the route. Service between Auckland and Shanghai will see 35 more premium seats compared to the same period last year.
Established in 1940, Air New Zealand first took to the skies between Auckland and Sydney with a Short S30 flying boat. Known for their warm Kiwi hospitality, the carrier currently operates a fleet ranging from Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A320 Family jets to ATR and Q300 turboprop aircraft. The carrier’s modern and fuel-efficient fleet has an average age of 9.9 years. In 2024, Air New Zealand carried more than 16 million passengers across 20 different regions around New Zealand. Internationally, the airline offers direct service to major cities across Australia, Asia, the Pacific Islands and the U.S., and through strong relationships with alliance partners, offers hundreds more destinations.
Source: Air New Zealand
