American Airlines plans daily flights from LA to Auckland from next June

But it’ll be a matter of good things coming to those who wait, with the new lounge unlikely to open before the end of 2016 – and certainly not before American Airlines begins its daily Auckland-Los Angeles Boeing 787 service in June 2016.

“American’s new non-stop Auckland-Los Angeles service is supported by Jetstar’s domestic connections to eleven destinations within New Zealand and Qantas Group’s almost 40 daily flights to Australia”, Mr Joyce said.

American chief executive Doug Parker, NZ Prime Minister John Key and Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce.

Parker said American Airlines and Qantas had yet to work out prices, but said consumers would benefit from the “friendly competition” with Air New Zealand, which had held a monopoly on the route since 2012.

So, in the NZ market, and in Australia, when American starts 777-300ER flights between Sydney and Los Angeles next month, the range of options collectively offered by all carriers will start at good economy (A380s) not quite as good economy amenity (747s) good economy in the nine across Virgin Australia 777s, truly terrible jammed up tight economy (10 across in 777s and 9 across in Dreamliners) narrow but with legroom economy (main cabin extra and extra legroom offers in AA and UA Dreamliners) and comfortable full service premium economy (Qantas, Virgin Australia and Air NZ) and then up into various excellent business class products and the unique Qantas first class cabins (A380s).

An American Airlines’ Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner will operate the daily service from June after it received approval from the New Zealand government. “So far this year, more than 230,000 US visitors travelled to New Zealand – an increase of 11.1 percent over 2014”, said Bridges.

Parker said attractions of American Airline’s Auckland to LA “product” would include the fact it would use its newest aircraft, a 787-8 Dreamliner, to fly the route.

“Air NZ is one of the key beneficiaries of worldwide tourism growth because we are the preferred airline for visitors wanting to get out and explore New Zealand’s regions and cities”, an Air NZ spokesperson said.

“It will be a nice competition, the winners here are consumers”.

While the number of indirect flights between Auckland and the United States mainland has grown, Air New Zealand benefits strongly from no having a direct flight competitor.

Oneworld is an alliance of 15 airlines plus affiliates, while Star Alliance is a grouping of 28 airline members. “American Airlines is one of our most important partners, and our joint business allows both airlines to provide an enhanced network and better service for customers across the Pacific”.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said they hoped to “grow the pie” for both markets with the new services. “It’s a growing market”, he said.