Air New Zealand connects Auckland and New York for the first time ever

(CNN) — After 16 hours in the sky, Air New Zealand’s first ever direct flight to New York City arrived at JFK airport on September 17.

“As one of the world’s greatest cities, Air New Zealand is proud to add the Big Apple to its list of 29 international destinations,” Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran said in a statement, adding that the filght connects his two favorite cities in the world.

New Zealand reopened to international tourists on July 31, 2022.

The airline’s desire to secure a slot at JFK was never a secret.

When the flights were announced earlier in 2022, Foran said “Traditionally, flight numbers 1 and 2 are used for an airline’s flagship route. And that’s what New York will be — our flagship route.”

In addition to New York, Air New Zealand flies to five other destinations in the United States, including San Francisco and Honolulu.

As New York is the airline’s first (and currently only) direct flight to the east coast, it will be easier for passengers from New Zealand to connect onward to North American and European hub cities.

Everything on board was made to feel special for the inaugural journey.

On board meals were comprised of New Zealand meats, wines and produce, including paua saucisson (abalone sausage), which made its airline debut.

Some New Zealand notables were on board the flight, such as Stuart Nash, New Zealand’s minister of tourism, former prime minister Helen Clark. Current prime minister Jacinda Arden was reportedly planning to join but had to go to London for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral instead.

However, there was one unexpected wrinkle over the weekend.

Some passengers on the NZ1 itinerary from New York to Auckland discovered upon landing that their bags did not make the journey with them.

“Unfortunately given additional fuel requirements due to adverse weather, some customer bags were unable to be loaded in New York and we are getting them to New Zealand as soon as possible,” Air New Zealand COO Alex Marren told CNN Travel.

“We are in touch with customers to update them and reunite them with their bags….