Non-stop to New York on cards
Air New Zealand’s koru could soon be seen above the Statue of Liberty thanks to advancements in aircraft technology.
It is a long-shot – a pipedream, perhaps – but there is even speculation that one day we could take off in Auckland and not touch land again until London, more than 18,000km away.
Singapore Airlines recently announced a new 19-hour flight from Singapore to New York which, when operational in October, will be the world’s longest non-stop flight at more than 15,000km.
It takes the crown from the 17.5-hour Auckland to Qatar journey, which is currently the world’s longest non-stop flight at more than 14,000km.
According to aviation expert Tim Gorman, a 19-hour non-stop Auckland to New York’s JFK Airport is being considered by Air New Zealand.
But first it would probably have to invest in a specialist ultra-long-range plane – most likely an Airbus A350-900 – then it would have to secure a landing slot at New York’s JFK Airport.
‘‘The airport is so busy, they have to have their time right for landing.’’
Asked about both the London and New York non-stop routes, Air New Zealand said it was starting a direct service from Auckland to Chicago in November.
It was also ‘‘actively considering future long-haul fleet options’’ with tender details going out to airlines soon.
‘‘Possible new long-haul destinations will be considered as part of this process, but there are no current plans to share at this time.’’
The Auckland-to-Chicago flight time will be about 15 hours there and just over 16 hours on the return.
Aviation commentator Irene King did not know if Air New Zealand was actively considering the New York-direct route but confirmed there had been ‘‘chatter’’ about it.
‘‘It would be just about right at the edge of [the aircrafts’] operating capability.’’
While it would be a convenient flight for diplomats, the commercial viability of the route would come down to business travellers, she said. As far as she knew, no regular Air New Zealand flight had ever flown to New York.
In September last year, Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon hinted that he envisioned flying to New York and Chicago once the airline had the right planes.
‘‘We are one of the top five airlines in the world in terms of distance,’’ he said. ‘‘We end up flying a normal [international] flight 12 or 13 hours.’’ Meanwhile, the ultimate longrange jewel in the crown – Auckland to London, which is virtually as far as two points in the world can be – remains a pipedream, albeit a possible eventuality. As technology stood right now, aircraft would have to reduce to about 20 to 30 passengers just so they could squeeze enough fuel aboard to make the distance, Gorman said.
‘‘It is [possible] but it would be bloody expensive.’’ On the Facebook page NZ Aviation Group, the question was posed about the route’s viability and it was pointed out the technology was already there as long as enough seats were ditched to make room for fuel.