Today's announcement by Qantas that it plans to start flying a non-stop service between Sydney via Auckland Airport to New York next June is amazing news for travellers, said Scott Tasker, Auckland Airport's General Manager Customer and Aero Commercial.

'Whether it's Kiwis and Australians wanting to experience New York and beyond or North Americans with a Southern Hemisphere trip on their bucket list, the year-round, three-times a week service will be welcomed by people looking not just for airline choice, but the great onward connections provided by the Auckland Airport and New York JFK Airport hubs.

'The early evening departure from Auckland Airport makes for an easy domestic connection from across New Zealand and on the southbound journey, the 5am Auckland touch-down means a smooth, same-day return home or on to your next destination,' said Mr Tasker.

'Travellers will also appreciate plans by Qantas to significantly upgrade and expand the Qantas International Lounge at Auckland Airport. We know Qantas' ambitions for this space were put on hold by the pandemic so it's wonderful to hear these investment plans have been restarted. It will be the perfect complement to the New York service.'

The Sydney-Auckland-New York flights will begin operation 14 June 2023 using Qantas' Boeing 787 Dreamliners, with three new aircraft scheduled for delivery next year.

Notes to editors

Details of non-stop services between Auckland Airport and North America, as of 25 August 2022

Air NZ to Hawaii three times a week, San Francisco three times a week, Los Angeles up to 10 times a week, Vancouver three times a week, Houston three times a week, from September New York three times a week, from October Chicago three times a week.

Hawaiian Airlines three times a week to Honolulu

United Airlines from 3 October three times a week to San Francisco, moving to daily from 28 October

American Airlines daily, non-stop to Dallas Fort Worth between October and March

Air Canada up to five times a week to Vancouver between November and March

Qantas non-stop, three times a week initially, to New York from 14 June 2023.

(C) 2022 Electronic News Publishing, source ENP Newswire