Air New Zealand has announced its new direct service from Auckland to Chicago from November 2018. For Fine Travel clients looking for discounted Business Class airfares to North America, we share the key details of this new flight.
How Long is the Flight Between Auckland to Chicago?
The flight from Auckland to Chicago will take approximately 15 hours and the return flight from Chicago to Auckland will take just over 16 hours.
The announced schedule (which is subject to change) is for three flights a week (Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays) leaving Auckland at 8:10pm and arriving in Chicago at 4:15pm. The Chicago flight departs at 7:10pm and arrives in Auckland at 6:30am (two days later with the time difference).
The Aircraft
Air New Zealand will be flying a Boeing 787-9 V2 Dreamliner on the service between Auckland and Chicago with the premium cabins configured as:
- Business Class - 27 seats (rows 1 to 9)
- Premium Economy - 33 seats (rows 23 to 27)
For Business Class the seats are full lie-flat and for Premium Economy the seats have 106cm pitch and a 22cm recline.
Why Chicago?
One of the most common complaints we hear from clients travelling to the mainland USA is about having to use Los Angeles airport. Like the direct service to Houston, the new service to Chicago is another alternative to flying via the West Coast. Not only will this flight open up travel to Chicago, but other popular cities like New York, Boston, Washington, Toronto and Montreal become more easily accessible.
Chicago is also the hub for Star Alliance partner United Airlines which provides us with greater flexibility and more options when looking for onward flights within the USA.
Airfares are Available Now
Although the flights do not start until November 2018, they are now available for sale.
