Air New Zealand has extended the cancelation on its Auckland to Chicago route, and I can’t help but wonder if this route will actually make a comeback.
Continue reading: Air New Zealand Cuts Chicago Flights Through Late 2025
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Chicago is on a downward path. I'd it was profitable, ANZ would find a plane to send there. The nonsense around engine issues is just an excuse.
I can't speak to the supposed technical issues or the market conditions, but that particular flight was handy for me, as someone who travels from the east coast to Australia frequently. I'll be sad to lose the option if it comes to that.
Yes, the seats are the same. They're vintage seats: narrow, uncomfortable, cramped, no window views and absolutely no storage. That is a reason that I don't fly Air New Zealand or Virgin Atlantic.
"New Zealand has become way more competitive across the Pacific in recent years, with American, Delta, and United, all adding considerable service to the country."
Not to mention QF to JFK!
It's wierd with Air NZ - once it was seen as premium carrier, but I feel like they haven't really been trying in recent y ears nor have much ambitions for the future. It's an interesting contrast to Qantas from their neighbouring country next door, who have som grand and unique plans with project sunrise etc.
At another locale, a writer of a piece said that ORD had service to "all six inhabited continents". I pointed out that there was no service to Australia. People came back at me with "Well, New Zealand is part of the same continental mass, and there's Air New Zealand to Auckland." It seems that I won that argument.
Plenty of places have services to 6 continents now that think of namely NYC, London, Dubai, etc
The US Big 3 (especially United) have increased a lot of capacity to New Zealand and Australia in the northern winter. (They've got to do something with those widebodies during Europe's off season.) As a result, fares are very much down from North America to NZ/AUS, and it's no doubt affecting the profitablity of more marginal routes like AKL-ORD.
Had this flight booked for a trip in May. During a monthly status check of upcoming flights it disappeared. No text, email or auto-call from Air NZ. They made it a PITA to re-book. Cancellation will add 6+ hours to trip. I won't be using them in the future.
Their own Star Alliance partner United is responsible. They've overtaken Qantas at the top TPAC carrier between US and Oz.
If only Air New Zealand would suspend its planned business class product — uncompetitive once again.
I have been a traveler on the rote since it started. We love it! And the plane has always been full. We just had to transit through LAX this trip. I have to add over 7 hours to our overall travel time when having to change planes. And with kids, uggggggg...
My mother, in her 70's travels from Chicago to NZ. She too appreciates not having to transfer and the reduced travel time at her age. She's gone as far as to rebook flights when they restarted briefly in 2022 (or 23?) to have a direct flight home. And like me, has always had a full plane.
I think that United or American will start the route and take over that market share from Air New Zealand.
I am a Kiwi living in Chicago and would dearly like to see the Chicago New Zealand flights resume Flying through Houstin and f rom the west , coast with stop overs adds so much waiting time to the trip. I am turning 85 and the last trip though Houston was a delayed nightmare I have twice travelled direct from Chicagp and it was wonderful
I worry that other airlines will fill the gap. In fact I have heard reliable rumous that this may happen .