United and Air New Zealand have agreed to form a joint venture that would enable the
two airlines to coordinate schedules on routes between the U.S. and New
Zealand, pending regulatory approval.
The carriers are planning for the partnership to take effect on
July 1, when United launches its maiden service to New Zealand with thrice-weekly service from San Francisco to Auckland. United will operate the flight
daily, beginning in November.
Air New Zealand already operates daily service between San
Francisco and Auckland. With the start of United’s flight, the carriers will
coordinate scheduling on that route, with the flights timed to offer convenient
connections to other destinations within the each airline’s network.
United and Air New Zealand currently codeshare on domestic routes
in the U.S. and New Zealand, as well as on routes in other parts of the world.
Both airlines are members of the Star Alliance.