For the duration of the northern winter/southern summer 2024 schedule, Air New Zealand will upgauge its daily rotation between Auckland and Tokyo Narita from Boeing 787-9 to 777-300ER.
The 777-300ER will operate Air New Zealand’s daily rotation on the route between October 27, 2024, and March 29, 2025, as follows:
- NZ99 / Auckland – Tokyo Narita / 9:55AM – 4:50PM
- NZ90 / Tokyo Narita – Auckland / 6:30PM – 9:05AM+1
Air New Zealand will also operate additional three weekly seasonal rotations between October 29, 2024, and March 29, 2025, using 787-9 aircraft as follows:
- NZ95 / Auckland – Tokyo Narita / 11:55PM – 6:50AM+1 / Tue, Thu, Sat
- NZ94 / Tokyo Narita – Auckland / 2:30PM – 5:05AM+1 / Wed, Fri, Sun
With that, the airline will operate 10 weekly flights between the two cities during the 2024 southern summer schedule, just as it is right now. During the 2024 southern winter schedule (i.e., between March 31, 2024, and October 26, 2024) Air New Zealand will only operate the daily NZ99/NZ90 rotation using the 787-9.
Air New Zealand’s 787-9s flying to Narita are equipped with a total of 302 seats including 18 in business, 21 in premium economy, and 263 in economy class. Its 777-300ERs are equipped with a total of 342 seats including 44 in business, 54 in premium economy, and 244 in economy class.
The equipment change to the 777-300ER will mean a 13% increase in the number of seats available on the daily rotation and a considerably more premium-heavy configuration with more than double the business and premium economy class seats compared to the 787-9. The number of economy class seats available per flight will, on the other hand, decrease.
Air New Zealand, the only airline offering a non-stop connection between Auckland and Tokyo Narita, first operated the 777-300ER on the route on December 27, 2014.
