Delta’s nonstop, daily flight from Auckland to Los Angeles beginning 30 October 2023 will be extended year-round and will operate daily November-March and three times weekly April-October.

Alison Hopkirk is the new national account manager, based in Auckland, with Delta Air Lines.

She will be responsible for the trade and corporate sectors and joins Delta’s GSA, The Walshe Group, in the lead up to the airline starting a seasonal daily service between LAX and AKL on 28 October.

Ambassador of the USA in New Zealand, Tom Udall urged the audience to get out and cheer for America’s champion team daring the FIFA Women’s World Cup events here when he hosted a 4 July function last week. Travel and tourism representatives were among guests at the Hilton to celebrate the 247th Anniversary of the USA. 

Udall said he was looking forward to having tens of thousands of US soccer supporters in New Zealand over the next few weeks and promised if Kiwis gave the US their backing he would do the same for the NZ team. On a more serious note he also highlighted collaborations in the Pacific and other aspects of the close relationship between the US and New Zealand.

Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines distributed some 4th of July sweetness to the trade in the form of cupcakes. It served as a bit of comfort food before the airline starts services in New Zealand later this year with its Delta Comfort+.

• Franz Mascarenhas, Cordis Auckland; Leanne... Franz Mascarenhas, Cordis Auckland; Leanne...
• Janet Coulthart, American Embassy; Kate... Janet Coulthart, American Embassy; Kate...
• Delta’s Stephen Tanner flanked by... Delta’s Stephen Tanner flanked by...
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Having New Zealand at the beginning rather than at the end of Brand USA’s major activity down-under early next year should encourage more US suppliers to take part in the Kiwi side of the roadtrip, says Corey Marshall, chair of the Visit USA New Zealand Committee.

New Zealand’s travel retailers are welcoming another link to the all-important USA gateway of LAX, with spokespeople saying there is definitely a need for more capacity on the route.

At the same time, Delta Air Lines has the trade in its sights following the announcement that the carrier will launch daily flights between Auckland and Los Angeles from 30 October on Airbus A350-900 aircraft.