Delta Air Lines flight touches down in Auckland for first time

A Delta Air Lines flight has touched down in Auckland this morning for the very first time.

It comes as several new flights between Auckland and the US are set to launch for the summer, between November and March.

Auckland Airport chief customer officer Scott Tasker said the choice of airlines and routes connecting through to a popular destination for Kiwi travellers Is exciting.

“If we look through to January, we’ve got 27 more flights per week to North American destinations than we had back in January 2020. That really signals the level of demand out there to visit and enjoy what’s on offer in New Zealand,” he said.

“That’s come through a combination of exciting new routes like Qantas and Air New Zealand both launching non-stop connections to New York and American Airlines flying from Dallas-Fort Worth, plus new faces on existing routes.

“This summer we’ll have seven airlines flying non-stop to eight North American cities.”

Tasker said Delta Air Lines’ touch down at Auckland Airport this morning adds more choice for passengers, alongside Air New Zealand.

It originally was going to be flying on a seasonal basis, but demand was so great it was going all year round.

“It’s great to see some existing airline partners, like United, boost options for travellers, but having Delta touch down here for the very first time is just fantastic.”

Delta international and specialty sales director Rob LeBel told 1News today is “a dream come true”.

“I know myself, and the crew, and all employees at Delta are just super super excited to finally be in New Zealand.”

He said the airline has received a lot of feedback over the years about Aotearoa being a place their passengers would like to travel to.

“Truly the motivation and optimism for Delta to come to New Zealand is the demand out there and the growth that we see.”

One passenger, who arrived in Auckland on the Delta flight from Los Angeles this morning, said it’s first time in the country and he’s “super excited”.

“Delta is an absolutely fantastic airline, so I know New Zealand is going to benefit because they’re here.”