Air China (Beijing) and Air New Zealand (Auckland) have released details of a proposed alliance on services between China and New Zealand.
The alliance, subject to regulatory approvals, would see Air China introduce a daily nonstop service between Beijing and Auckland.
The Chinese flag carrier would also continue to codeshare on Air New Zealand’s daily Shanghai – Auckland service which will be operated exclusively by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft from August 24.
The proposed alliance would further open up Beijing as a new market to and from New Zealand and the airlines aim to almost double sustainable capacity between China and New Zealand while delivering a range of other benefits to travellers including greater frequency and network connections.
Subject to regulatory approvals, alliance services could commence as early as December 2015.
In other news, Air China will start Beijing-Melbourne four-times weekly nonstop service from June 1, 2015, becoming the only carrier that offers Beijing-Melbourne nonstop service. At the same time, the carrier will continue its Shanghai-Melbourne nonstop service.
The four-times weekly flights CA 165/6 will be offered on Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Sunday. The service is slated to increase to daily from October 25, 2015. The outbound flight departs from Beijing at 02:00 and arrives in Melbourne at 15:30 local time; the return flight departs from Melbourne at 20:40 local time and arrives in Beijing at 06:30. The flights will be operated with Airbus A330-200 aircraft.
Finally, Air China will add flights to its Beijing-Los Angeles route from May 2015, further strengthening its presence on the North American market.
The new flight numbers are CA 887/8. From May 2 to June 30, 2015, four flights will be offered per week on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. From July 1 to October 24, the flights will be increased to daily. The outbound flight departs from Beijing at 12:00 and arrives in Los Angeles at 09:00 local time. The return flight departs from Los Angeles at 11:30 and arrives in Beijing at 15:10 local time. Boeing 777-300 ER, an aircraft type quite popular with the world’s business travelers, features full-flat seats in First Class/Business Class as well as Central Bar, personal AVODs and power outlets in all classes of service, accessible toilet and mood lighting system which can mimic wonderful moments from sunrise to sunset.
From 2013 to 2014, Air China started three nonstop routes: Beijing-Houston, Beijing-Hawaii and Beijing-Washington. Currently, Air China serves 7 destinations in North America, including New York, Los Angeles, Houston, San Francisco, Washington, Vancouver and Hawaii, spanning the southern, western and eastern parts of the United States. It offers 104 flights per week operated with the Boeing 777-300 ER. On January 7, 2015, Air China’s first Boeing 747-8, a new member of Boeing 747 family, made its maiden flight on its long-range route: Beijing-New York.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-39L ER B-2039 (msn 38675) departs from Los Angeles International Airport.
Air China aircraft slide show: 
Air New Zealand aircraft slide show:
