American Airlines will be flying daily from Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand starting in May 2016.Auckland is trending with travelers for a lot of reasons. Its iconic Sky Tower offers killer views of the Viaduct Harbour, and Auckland Domain, a park built around an extinct volcano is a must-see. Mission Bay Beach is located so close to downtown you could also get in a beach holiday while in the city.
The flights will leave Los Angles at 10:45 p.m. and arrive in New Zealand two days later at 6:45 a.m. Return flights hit stateside the same day they leave at 6:30 a.m.
This initiative is part of American’s partnership with Qantas Airways, which has helped them increase their trans-Pacific presence with six new routes since 2012.
Let’s Talk Miles
American will be flying its new Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on this route. It offers two cabins, business and economy. Economy seats are 75,000 AAdvantage miles, and business class is 125,000.
If you can snag a business class seat, it will be miles well spent. You’ll get a suite, complete with a seat that transforms into a bed, so you can get some sleep. Plus the seat layout gives every passenger direct access to the aisle, and there’s a walk up bar where you can grab snacks and drinks, the first for a U.S. carrier.
It’s a Dream
If you’ve read about the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, then you know it’s a sweet ride with all the latest features, such as bigger overhead bins, dynamic mood lighting, a smoother ride and an improved air circulation system that reduces in-flight dehydration.
The Dreamliner is pressurized just right, so instead of feeling drained and dried out when you arrive, you’ll actually feel energized, refreshed and ready for action. The dynamic mood lighting changes depending on the time of day, so you’ll be better acclimated to the new timezone.
All the seats, no matter what class you’re in, are outfitted with touchscreen monitors, complete with hundreds of moves and TV shows, as well as 13 radio stations and almost two dozen games. Once you’re in the air, you can log on to the international Wi-Fi and charge your electronic device with the USB port and power outlet located at every seat.