American Airlines will launch direct flights between Los Angeles and Christchurch in January 2022 if international borders open.
Christchurch Airport made the announcement in a post on social media.
"From the South Island to the States… American Airlines are preparing for direct flights between Christchurch and LAX from January if international borders are open. We can't wait to welcome them to CHC," the post said.
The American Airlines website is selling direct airfares between the two cities under the flight number American Airlines AA260 and AA261, operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
The direct fares are selling for around NZ$2500.
In September 2019, the airline had announced plans to launch flights between Christchurch and Los Angeles as well as a new Auckland-Dallas, Fort Worth service as part of an arrangement with Qantas.
The new services were due to begin in November 2020 but were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
