Air NZ non-stop New York flights 'very challenging' amid Covid-19 crisis

Air NZ has not given up on its non-stop New York flights but says they look "very, very challenging" at the moment, amid the devastating effects of coronavirus on aviation around the world. The airline was due to start flying Auckland to New York Oct 29, a journey expected to take between 15 and 17 hours. The route would be serviced by Air NZ Boeing 787-9s. Air NZ was going to take the crown from Qantas, which was not expected to start regular commercial non-stop flights to New York until 2023. However, with most of its fleet now grounded and the demand for international air travel now a trickle, with borders closed and people unable or unwilling to fly, Air NZ has had to make huge changes. <br/>