16-Hour Flights: Air New Zealand's 13 New Ultra-Long Nonstop Routes Revealed

Published Sep 15, 2026, 8:00 PM EDT Prachi is a London-based journalist with extensive experience in the aviation industry. She has worked for several leading industry publications, covering a broad range of topics. Her expertise lies in aircraft maintenance, emerging technologies, and advanced air mobility. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Journalism, focusing on data journalism and its potential to transform conventional aviation reporting. Air New Zealand operates some of the world’s longest scheduled nonstop commercial routes. The airline’s position in the South Pacific means many of its long-haul services cover ultra-long distances, with some scheduled to last up to 16 hours. Using aviation analytics provider Cirium, Simple Flying examined Air New Zealand’s longest scheduled routes between October 2026 and July 2027. The data shows more than ten routes with a minimum scheduled block time of ten hours; two of these services are set to be reinstated later this year. These Are Air New Zealand's Longest Scheduled Routes Credit: Janice Chen | Shutterstock Unsurprisingly, Air New Zealand’s North American routes are the longest scheduled services in the period analyzed. The longest is the Auckland Airport (AKL) to New York JFK Airport (JFK) route, covering around 8,813 miles (14,183 km) with a scheduled block time of 16 hours and ten minutes. According to OAG, it is the seventh-longest scheduled route in the world. The Star Alliance member operates three weekly flights on the route using its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Notably, the route will be the launch point for Air New Zealand’s Economy Skynest. These are bunk-bed-style, lie-flat sleeping pods designed specifically for economy and premium economy passengers. They are scheduled to enter service on new 787-9 Dreamliners operating the JFK route in late December 2026. The second-longest route is Auckland– Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), which covers around 7,414 miles (11,932 km) and has a scheduled block time of almost 13 hours and 35 minutes. Air New Zealand currently operates five weekly flights on the route using both the 787-9 and 777-300ER. From the start of the winter season, however, the airline is expected to operate the route exclusively with the 777-300ER. Maximum Block Time Direction of Route Frequency* Equipment 16 hours ten minutes Auckland (AKL) – New York JFK (JFK) 3x weekly Boeing 787-9 13 hours 35 minutes Auckland (AKL) – Houston (IAH) 3x weekly Boeing 787-9/777-300ER 13 hours Auckland (AKL) – Vancouver (YVR) 6x weekly; One daily in winter season Boeing 787-9/777-300ER 12 hours ten minutes Auckland (AKL) – Shanghai (PVG) 6x weekly; One daily in winter season Boeing 787-9 12 hours five minutes Auckland (AKL) – San Francisco (SFO) 5x weekly (Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun) Boeing 787-9 12 hours five minutes Auckland (AKL) – Los Angeles (LAX) Up to 2 daily Boeing 777-300ER 11 hours 35 minutes Christchurch (CHC) – Tokyo Narita (NRT)** 3x weekly** (Tue, Thu, Sat) Boeing 787-9 11 hours 30 minutes Auckland (AKL) – Hong Kong (HKG) One daily Boeing 787-9 11 hours 25 minutes Auckland (AKL) – Taipei (TPE) 4x weekly (Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat) Boeing 787-9 11 hours Auckland (AKL) – Tokyo Narita (NRT) Up to 2 daily Boeing 787-9/777-300ER 10 hours 35 minutes Christchurch (CHC) – Singapore (SIN)** 3x weekly** (Wed, Fri, Sun) Boeing 787-9 Nine hours 15 minutes Auckland (AKL) – Bali (DPS) Up to 7 weekly Boeing 787-9 Eight hours 30 minutes Auckland (AKL) – Honolulu (HNL) 3x weekly Wed, Fri, Sun) Boeing 787-9 *Frequency is based on the October 2026 schedule **Routes starting in November Air New Zealand Is Bringing Back Christchurch–Tokyo Flights After 11 Years Credit: Carlos Yudica | Shutterstock Perhaps the most interesting addition to Air New Zealand’s schedule is the return of the Christchurch Airport (CHC) to Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) route after an 11-year hiatus. It is part of Air New Zealand’s wider long-haul expansion from Christchurch, announced in May 2026. This time, the route is returning as a nonstop service, with three weekly flights scheduled to begin on November 27 using the Boeing 787-9. Air New Zealand last operated flights to Narita from Christchurch in 2015. The airline previously served the route as part of a seasonal triangular operation, with aircraft flying Auckland–Narita–Christchurch–Auckland. However, only the Narita–Christchurch sector operated nonstop, while passengers traveling from Christchurch to Tokyo had to connect via Auckland. This created additional costs for Air New Zealand because it had to position new crews for the Christchurch–Auckland–Narita operation. Passenger demand was another factor in why the airline decided to cut the route previously. Air New Zealand’s then Chief Sales and Commercial Officer said customers were increasingly choosing to arrive in Auckland rather than Christchurch, as reported by Australian Aviation. The airline subsequently concentrated its Japan operation in Auckland, increasing the Auckland–Narita service to daily and, at times, up to ten flights per week to absorb the demand. Christchurch–Singapore Returns To Air New Zealand’s Schedule In October Credit: moh_bagusov2 | Shutterstock Furthermore, as part of its international expansion from New Zealand’s second-busiest airport, Air New Zealand is reinstating its Christchurch– Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) service from October 28. The airline will operate three weekly flights on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays using its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The 10.5-hour service is scheduled to operate until the end of March. Air New Zealand last operated the route in 2020, but several factors led to it being removed from the schedule. One of the major issues was the problems with the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines fitted to its 787s. The airline had to ground five of its 787-9s, leaving less capacity for its long-haul network. Air New Zealand subsequently restructured its long-haul schedule, and the Christchurch–Singapore route was one of the services cut. Since then, the airline has worked to return its grounded Dreamliners to service. The last of the five 787s returned in June, meaning the airline now has the capacity to support the reinstatement of the Singapore route. It will give Christchurch another direct link to Asia during the upcoming summer season.