Air New Zealand Adds Dreamliner (Flat Bed Business) to Honolulu-Auckland Route

Air New Zealand is now flying a 787 Dreamliner between Auckland and Honolulu.

This is great news because the Air New Zealand Dreamliner has flat beds in Business Class in a 1-1-1 con

Pattern for Air New Zealand Business Class Award Space

Last year I predicted that award space to Air New Zealand would be much improved in 2016, especia

I Had Never Seen Air New Zealand Business Class Award Space Until Yesterday

I've been in this hobby for about five years. In that time, I have never seen Air New Zealand Business Class award space from the United States mainland to New Zealand.

Award Space to New Zealand Will Be Much Better in 2016

Right now, Air New Zealand has a monopoly on direct flights between the United States and New Zealand with flights between Auckland and Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Honolulu. It adds an Auckland to Houston flight on December 15, 2015.

The good thing about booking Air New Zealand award space is that you have access to the whole country through connections instead of just Auckland.

Intra-New Zealand, Australia, and South Pacific for 12,500 Miles

Singapore Airlines charges only 12,500 Singapore miles one way for awards within the Southwest Pacific, which includes Australia, New Zealand, and a bunch of island paradises.

Singapore Airlines', Star Alliance partner Air New Zealand, flies extensively in the region from its hub in Auckland. Here are its flights to tiny islands.

Source: gcmap.com

And here is its route network from Australia.

Source: gcmap.com

Air New Zealand also has an incredible route network within New Zealand.

Hurry! Last Week to Book Air New Zealand Award Flights with US Airways Miles

Two months ago I wrote that US Airways would be losing five of its Star Alliance partners over the course of 2014.

Another one bites the dust in five days! June 29, 2014 is the last day to use US Airways miles to book Air New Zealand flights.

Note that Air New Zealand flights need only be booked by June 29. You can book US Airways awards up to about 335 days in advance.

Your United, US Airways, and Lufthansa Miles Options to Australia and New Zealand for the Next Year

I wanted to take a look at the options to use Star Alliance miles to Australia and New Zealand during their next summer (December 2013 to March 2014.) I went overboard though and looked up the options for the next 11 months on the five direct Star Alliance routes from North America to the Antipodes:

Los Angeles to Sydney* (United, three-cabin 747)
San Francisco to Sydney* (United, three-cabin 747)
Vancouver to Sydney (Air Canada, two-cabin 777)
Los Angeles to Auckland (Air New Zealand, two-cabin 777)
San Francisco to Auckland (Air New Zealand, two-cabin 777)

*Continuing Service to Melbourne

What's the

Your United, US Airways, and Lufthansa Miles Options to Australia and New Zealand for the Next Year

I wanted to take a look at the options to use Star Alliance miles to Australia and New Zealand during their next summer (December 2013 to March 2014.) I went overboard though and looked up the options for the next 11 months on the five direct Star Alliance routes from North America to the Antipodes:

Los Angeles to Sydney* (United, three-cabin 747)
San Francisco to Sydney* (United, three-cabin 747)
Vancouver to Sydney (Air Canada, two-cabin 777)
Los Angeles to Auckland (Air New Zealand, two-cabin 777)
San Francisco to Auckland (Air New Zealand, two-cabin 777)

*Continuing Service to Melbourne

What's the

Antipodean Summer: Air New Zealand Sydney Lounge and Air New Zealand Business Class

Pre-departure services and the Global First Lounge

United Global First Los Angeles to Sydney

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I've included a brief report on Air New Zealand business class because the plane I flew operates some key routes you might want to fly like Honolulu to Auckland and Shanghai to Auckland. Because getting to New Zealand in business class with United miles is tough, you might find yourself on one of those flights.

After taking off on New Year's Eve, I landed well rested in Sydney on January 2nd.