United Airlines suspends Los Angeles to Auckland route

Friday, 17 May 2024

United Airlines is pausing its Auckland to Los Angeles route.

A spokesperson for the US airline said it would suspend the Auckland to Los Angeles service for the upcoming southern hemisphere summer season.

“United regularly adjusts its schedule for a variety of reasons, including demand and the broader needs of our network,” he said.

The airline also plans to stop flying between Brisbane and Los Angeles.

United launched the route at the end of October 2023 with three weekly flights.

Simple Flying reported US T-100 data showed that United carried 19,473 passengers on Los Angeles-Auckland-Los Angeles between December and February and filled 60% of seats.

United will continue to fly between Christchurch and Auckland to San Francisco.

Air New Zealand will continue to fly to LAX.

The news comes just 10 days after Delta Air Lines said it would suspend its Auckland service over the winter.

Delta was the first of three American airlines to announce a seasonal service between Auckland and Los Angeles in 2023.

When United and American Airlines followed suit to Auckland, Delta made its non-stop route a year-round service.

But, just six months after it made its New Zealand debut, the airline confirmed it plans to pause the route.