Air New Zealand, biggest New Zealand airways, announced Wednesday it will commence non-stop flights to Shanghai on Nov. 6, 2006, with tickets now on sale.

"This is a major step forward in our service on this new and exciting route," said Ed Sims, Group General Manager International Airline.

Air New Zealand will be the only airline here flying non-stop from Auckland, biggest city of New Zealand, to Shanghai, Chinese mainland's fastest growing and most affluent commercial city.

Air New Zealand will fly three times a week to Shanghai on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays using its brand new 313 seat Boeing 777 aircraft, which are fitted with the airline's new Business Premier, Pacific Premium Economy and Pacific Economy cabins, all featuring it's on demand in flight digital entertainment system.

Positioned on the Yangtze River Delta, Shanghai is China's most populous and sophisticated city. Tourist experiences available range from shopping in world class sophisticated boutiques to lively, bustling street markets.

Sims said the new Shanghai service doesn't just establish a highly sought after new destination on Air New Zealand's network.

He said recent announcements by Shanghai Airlines and Air China that they were joining the Star Alliance also offered exciting possibilities for future interconnections for onward travel further into China.

In addition to existing in-flight selections on its new Shanghai service, Air New Zealand will be offering Mandarin speaking flight attendants, Chinese influenced cuisine, lounge based dining for Business Premier passengers and selected on- demand Chinese in-flight entertainment to ensure customers from China feel at home the instant they board their Air New Zealand flight.

Source: Xinhua