Air New Zealand is marking 60 years since its first flight between Auckland and Hong Kong. What began as a modest DC8 service on March 3, 1966, has since grown into one of the airline’s most significant long-haul connections.

Today, the airline carries more than 350,000 passengers a year and runs up to 16 flights a week during peak periods, a far cry from the twice-weekly schedule it started with.

The anniversary is more than a mere milestone on a calendar. The Auckland to Hong Kong route has grown from a twice-weekly service with a stop through Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) and Darwin Airport (DRW).  At its peak, the operation ran up to 16 flights a week in partnership with Cathay Pacific. That alliance, which began its roots in the early 1980s and was formalized into a major strategic partnership in 2013, has shaped much of how the route operates today.

For many passengers who flew the route in its earlier years, the most memorable part had nothing to do with the airline itself. Kai Tak, Hong Kong’s old harbor-side airport, was famous for one of the most dramatic approaches in commercial aviation. Pilots had to navigate sharp turns between high-rise apartment buildings before touching down on a runway that jutted out into Victoria Harbour, close enough, by many accounts, to offer a clear view into the windows of neighboring flats.

The route has gone through several aircraft over the decades, from the original DC8 to the DC10, Boeing 747, and Boeing 767, each transition reflecting both the evolution of the airline and the growth in demand between New Zealand and Hong Kong.

Flying New Zealand to the world

The route’s significance goes well beyond tourism and business travel. In 2025, the majority of goods air freight between Auckland and Hong Kong flew on an Air New Zealand aircraft, making it a critical supply chain link for New Zealand exporters. E-commerce accounts for around 70% of freight volume, with consumer electronics making up another 20%.

The cargo numbers offer a telling picture of what New Zealand sends to the world. Last year alone, the airline transported 900 tons of milk formula, equivalent to roughly one million cans, along with 133 tons of eggs, 159 tons of avocados, 210 tons of meat, and 85 tons of mussels.

Special sale to mark the occasion

To celebrate the anniversary, Air New Zealand has launched a limited sale on fares between New Zealand and Hong Kong, available for booking between March 2 and March 15, 2026. One-way economy fares from Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch start at around $398, with premium economy from approximately $854 and Business Premier from around $2,051.