Air New Zealand is about to launch nonstop flights between New York and Auckland — here's why that matters

There is a return to ultra-long-haul.

Extra-long flying was one of the hottest trends before the Pandemic hit. The world's longest flight of the year was a nonstop between Newark Liberty International Airport and Singapore. Qantas replaced it with nonstop flights from Australia to New York and London.

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The long-haul disappeared after the Pandemic.

As the world reopens, airlines have begun to pick up where they left off.

Air New Zealand has an ambition to fly nonstop to New York City.

The first nonstop flight from New York to New Zealand will leave JFK on Saturday and arrive in Auckland 17 hours later.

The first trip from New Zealand to New York leaves on Friday and arrives in New York on Saturday.

As global travel restarts, it's an exciting time for the airline. Australia and New Zealand were closed off during the peak of the Pandemic.

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The flight from the south is blocked for 17 hours. The flight will be one of the longest in the world at 8,828 miles. It's behind Singapore Airlines' flights from Singapore to JFK and Newark. It's below Qantas' operation from Perth, Australia, to London.

Qantas is planning to introduce longer nonstop journeys from Australia to New York and London in the near future. The launch of Qantas' proof-of-concept flights has been delayed due to regulatory and logistical issues. Qantas recently took delivery of the first A350-1000ULR that it plans to use for flights, and it's aiming for a launch in 2025.

Qantas isn't interested in waiting. A fifth-freedom route will be launched next June, with a connection from New York.

The advantage of being the first to market is that the route will be very competitive. Qantas has an advantage because of its partner American Airlines. Air New Zealand isn't able to connect to a U.S. domestic network since it flies to JFK instead of Newark.

The flights can only target customers in the New York area. Travelers are able to self- connect if they choose.

Air New Zealand will use a 787-9 with a more premium focused cabin than the rest of its fleet. There are 27 lieflat business class seats, 33 premium economy recliners, 215 regular economy seats, and 13 Economy Skycouches on the New York route. When coupled with raiseable footrests, the Skycouches create a couch-like setup.

There are 18 business class seats, 21 premium economy seats, 263 economy seats, and 16 Skycouch rows in the rest of Air New Zealand's Dreamliners. There is a new business class product and the "Skynest" economy Pod that have not entered service yet.

We will be reporting from the ground at Air New Zealand as well as on the inaugural flight from New York, so be sure to follow us on social media.