Air New Zealand boosts capacity between Shanghai and Auckland for Chinese New Year
Air New Zealand is adding more than 7,000 seats between Shanghai and Auckland over Chinese New Year, increasing capacity during one of the busiest travel periods for Chinese visitors to New Zealand.
From 23 January to 20 February 2027, the airline will operate three additional return services a week between Shanghai and Auckland, bringing the weekly total to ten a week.
Air New Zealand Chief Commercial Officer Scott Wilkinson says the extra services are in response to strong customer demand over the Chinese New Year period.
"We're being deliberate about where we add capacity, and Shanghai at this time of year is a fantastic opportunity. These extra flights will make it easier for more visitors to experience New Zealand at the height of summer and connect into our domestic network supporting tourism and businesses across the country.
"More flights also create more cargo capacity at an important time of year, helping New Zealand exporters get more of their products into China over the Chinese New Year period.
"And it's not just about visitors coming to New Zealand. The extra flights will give customers travelling from New Zealand more choice too, including those heading to China to spend Chinese New Year with family and friends, or travelling further afield," says Scott.
Travellers will also continue to benefit from connectivity and choice between New Zealand and China, with the airline's partnership with Air China. Across Shanghai and Beijing, the two airlines operate up to 24 services a week between New Zealand and China during peak season. The Alliance provides access to more than 30 destinations across China through Air China's domestic network via Beijing and Shanghai.
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Issued by Air New Zealand Communications
Email: media@airnz.co.nz │ Phone: +64 21 747 320
About Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand's story started in 1940, first taking to the skies between Auckland and Sydney on a flying boat - a Short S30. Known for its warm Kiwi hospitality, today, the airline has operating aircraft ranging from Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A320s to ATRs and Q300s, offering customers comfort in the latest most efficient jets and turboprops. It's a modern fuel-efficient fleet with an average age of 9.9 years. Air New Zealand's global network of passenger and cargo services centres around New Zealand. In 2024, the airline flew more than 16 million passengers. Air New Zealand was named 2025 World's Safest Airline by the Australian rating service AirlineRatings.com, highlighting the airline's laser-focus on safety.
Air New Zealand has a well-connected domestic business, connecting customers and cargo to 20 different regions around New Zealand. Internationally, the airline has direct flights to major cities across Australia, the Pacific Islands, Asia and North America, and through its strong relationships with alliance partners, offers customers more choice and convenience to connect further afield to hundreds of destinations. Air New Zealand has a particular focus on sustainability and its Sustainability Framework helps guide the airline's efforts in tackling some of New Zealand's and the world's most complex challenges. Airpoints, Air New Zealand's loyalty programme, is seen as the most valuable loyalty programme in New Zealand with more than 4 million members. It allows members to earn Airpoints Dollars™ and Status Points for VIP benefits in the air and on the ground. Air New Zealand aircraft are proudly identified by its distinct tail livery of the Mangōpare, the Māori symbol of the hammerhead shark which represents strength, tenacity, and resilience.
About Star Alliance
The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, based on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition and seamless service. Since inception, it has offered the largest and most comprehensive airline network, with a focus on improving customer experience across the Alliance journey.
The member airlines are: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, and United.
Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers more than 16,000 daily flights to almost 1,200 airports in 186 countries. Further connecting flights are offered by Star Alliance Connecting Partners Juneyao Airlines and THAI Smile Airways.
For more information about Air New Zealand visit www.airnewzealand.com and for more information about Star Alliance visit www.staralliance.com