Air New Zealand, Virgin Atlantic announce codeshare deal

Air New Zealand and Virgin Atlantic have signed a codesharing agreement covering flights between the UK and New Zealand via San Francisco and Sydney.

Passengers will be able to book with Virgin Atlantic to travel on connecting journeys on the following Air New Zealand routes using Virgin’s VS flight code: Los Angeles to Rarotonga, San Francisco to Auckland, Sydney to Auckland, Sydney to Christchurch, Sydney to Wellington, Auckland to Christchurch, Auckland to Wellington, Auckland to Queenstown, and Auckland to Rarotonga.

Using the NZ flight code, Air New Zealand passengers will also be able to book on Virgin Atlantic’s services between London Heathrow and San Francisco and between Hong Kong and Sydney for connecting journeys.

Subject to relevant government approvals, the two airlines expect the codesharing deal to begin on February 28. The move comes following a history of interline cooperation and reciprocal frequent flyer partnership between the two airlines.

Air New Zealand CEO Rob Fyfe noted the importance of the codeshare deal. “This new codeshare agreement provides yet further connectivity options for our customers as well as providing important connectivity for Virgin Atlantic customers to New Zealand and also the Cook Islands,” Fyfe said.