Air New Zealand Announces Daily Houston Flights and More Services to Taipei

Air New Zealand has announced daily Auckland–Houston flights from September 2027 and an increase in Auckland–Taipei services from three to five a week from late September. The airline said its international network would offer 4% more seats from late March to late October 2027 than during the equivalent period in 2026. A new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner will serve Houston, replacing the larger Boeing 777 now flying the route five times weekly. The 777 will move to other services. Discussing the new Dreamliners, chief commercial officer Scott Wilkinson said: “They’re enabling us to grow our international network, offer more flights and bring our latest onboard experience to more customers.” The airline put the Taipei increase at about 25% more capacity in October and 5% across the season. Auckland–Vancouver services will increase from seven to nine weekly during the peak July period, while Auckland–Papeete will have up to five weekly flights for the Tahiti 2027 Pacific Games in July and August. Auckland–Shanghai capacity will rise 9% across the northern summer, with daily flights in April, July, September and October. The airline also said its three-times-weekly Christchurch–Singapore service would continue year-round. Two new Dreamliners arrived in October, with further deliveries expected in July and September 2027. In an October 29 release, the airline said the new aircraft’s increased maximum takeoff weight provided greater flexibility for passengers, baggage and cargo. Separately, Stats NZ’s November 12 travel release recorded 273,000 overseas visitor arrivals in September, up 24,400 from a year earlier. Arrivals from Taiwan reached a September record of 5,500, an increase of 1,700.