New York in Qantas, Air New Zealand sights

Qantas’ much-hyped “Project

Sunrise” plan to operate non-stop flights from Sydney to both London and New York took a step forward last month when the carrier rejigged a 787 delivery flight to operate direct from New York with about 50 people on board. Billed as a scientific experiment to gather data on the impact of such a long sector, participants wore activity trackers and underwent a prescribed timetable of activity and sleep to see how the routine would impact jetlag. While QF is pushing Airbus and Boeing for new, longer-range versions of their planes to achieve the goal, it should be noted that the proposal is also being used to leverage a new industrial agreement with pilots, some of whom are pushing back on new employment conditions which QF CEO Alan Joyce says are necessary to make the flights financially viable.

Meanwhile a masterstroke of timing from Air New Zealand saw it announce its own non-stop services from Auckland to New York, just after the Qantas fanfare around its test flight. And by contrast, NZ’S plan is a reality, rather than theory, with a lower-density 787-9 in its fleet already having the required range. Air NZ will debut its New York non-stops in October next year, boosting its North American network to six destinations.

At the same time NZ has taken the sensible decision to shutter its long-running Los Angeles-london flight which will also see it close a significant crew base in the UK.

The savings from the move will be redirected to routes with a “higher potential for profitable growth,” according to acting CEO Jeff Mcdowall, whose replacement early next year by Us-based Walmart CEO, Greg Foran was also unveiled last month.

There is no denying [Sandra Chipchase] has the most outstanding track record of achievement of any tourism, business events or major events executive in the nation

Stuart Ayres, NSW Tourism Minister