New York may be the City that Never Sleeps, but Aucklanders wanting a taste of the Big Apple now have another 17-hour direct flight on their doorstep - and that's plenty of time for some shut-eye.
Qantas' first Auckland-New York non-stop service took off from the Auckland International Airport runway at 4:49pm on Wednesday, June 14. It is set to touch down at John F. Kennedy International Airport at 4:50pm (local time) after about 16 hours of flying.
The flight marks the Australian flag carrier's first Sydney-New York service since 2020, when COVID-19 began its three-year reign of terror on international travel.
While Qantas' Sydney-New York service previously operated via Los Angeles, the new QF3 route will now transit through Auckland - offering New Zealanders another direct service to the Big Apple. This makes Qantas a major competitor for Air New Zealand, which launched its highly anticipated Auckland-New York service in September last year.
"SYD-AKL-JFK is a route we had already been looking at before the pandemic. Auckland is an easier connecting point than through LA, which is where we previously operated," a Qantas spokesperson told Newshub.
"Also, operating via Auckland allows us to pick up passengers that are travelling to and from New Zealand. When we previously operated via LAX to New York, we weren't able to pick up domestic US passengers for that sector. So it's great for tourism in both markets."
Qantas will initially operate three of the flights each week on a brand-new 787 Dreamliner aircraft, increasing to four weekly from October. There will be 11 flights a day from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Auckland to connect to the non-stop service to New York.
"We provide the one stop from all of the major capitals in Australia into New York, and with more seamless connections too," the spokesperson added.
Each flight will carry a maximum of 236 passengers across business, premium economy and economy cabins, in a layout that has been designed to maximise comfort for longer distances, Qantas said.
There will be 42 business class suites in a one-two-one configuration, each featuring a fully reclining bed and direct aisle access; 28 premium economy seats in a two-three-two configuration; and 166 economy seats in a three-three-three configuration.
The relaunch of the Sydney-New York flight brings Qantas closer to its goal of returning to 100 percent of its international network pre-pandemic capacity by March 2024.
"For New Zealanders, they will now have more choice in flying to New York and beyond with our airline partners to places like Boston, Washington DC and Montreal," the spokesperson told Newshub.
Additionally, the new route provides Kiwis another option for travel to Europe.
"New Zealanders can travel on our service to JFK and connect onwards to the UK and continental Europe through our oneworld partners. Our service now provides more choice for them in how they travel to Europe - so either with our partnership with Emirates through Dubai, or on the Qantas flight to JFK and connecting to a flight operated by a oneworld partner," the spokesperson explained.
The reinstated service has also undergone a revamp, with a new range of amenities for business class passengers and a special New York-inspired inflight menu throughout the aircraft. Bagel with lox, cream cheese, capers and lemon, anyone?
To celebrate the launch of the new route, business class customers will be offered a limited-edition navy sleeper suit featuring a monogram of the Qantas 'Roo', created with Australian fashion designer Rebecca Vallance. The pyjamas will also incorporate flight numbers QF3 and QF4 and a bespoke New York heart design. Business travellers will also receive a custom Rebecca Vallance amenity kit.
Meanwhile, Qantas creative director of food, beverage and service, Neil Perry, has added a range of dishes inspired by New York's legendary food scene to the inflight menu to coincide with the launch of the new route.
"New York is one of the culinary capitals of the world, from its much-loved street food to its internationally revered fine-dining, Michelin starred restaurants. We are using some amazing Australian produce to put our own spin on some of New York's most famous food experiences," Perry said in a statement.
"New York does food its own way and the result is a melting pot of amazing flavours which we are excited to incorporate across our menus."
Dishes include a New York-style spaghetti and meatballs, classic Reuben sandwich; General Tso chicken with smashed cucumber salad, steamed rice and broccolini; a classic beef hot dog with sauerkraut and spicy brown mustard; and seared beef fillet with creamed spinach and baked potato with sour cream and chives.
Those with a sweet-tooth can tuck into pecan pie with crème fraiche or a New York-style baked cheesecake with blueberry compote.
For the month of June, Qantas' lounges in Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland will feature a NY-inspired dish of the day, along with Manhattan Spritz and Garibaldi cocktails, to commemorate the new route.
The airline is also progressing plans for a major overhaul of its Auckland International Lounge as part of a $100 million investment. The lounge, slated to open in mid-2024, will offer more space and feature the best of local design, food and wine, Qantas said.
"The new route is great news for our customers here in New Zealand who now have more choice in flying direct to New York with some convenient connections to places like Boston and Washington DC," Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said in a statement on Wednesday.
"Offering more room and fewer seats than most of our competitors, the cabins onboard these aircraft have been designed with long-haul travel in mind."
Fast facts:
- AKL-JFK flight time: 16 hours 15 minutes
- AKL-JFK travel distance: 14,205km
- Qantas' Dreamliner carries 236 passengers with 42 business suites, 28 premium economy seats and 166 economy seats.
