Fly Business Class Nonstop to New Zealand

Fly Nonstop Business Class to New Zealand this summer (winter in the southern hemisphere). This time of year is especially appealing for skiing and snowboarding, especially near Queenstown and southern areas of the country, but even if you don't ski, it can be a great less crowded time to visit the country. For example, Hawke's Bay wineries are much less crowded, and you're more likely to have one of the wine makers lead a tour and tasting.

U.S. Routes to New Zealand

Check for Air New Zealand and United Business Class award availability from Los Angeles LAX, San Francisco SFO, and Houston IAH to Auckland AKL. For example, at time of writing, we saw these dates on the SFO to AKL:

United Business Class: 5/20, 5/23, 5/27, 5/30, 6/1, 6/3, 6/8, 6/13, 6/20

Air New Zealand Business Class: 5/29, 6/5, 6/12, 6/25, 6/26, 7/3, 7/8

Booking Business Class to New Zealand with Miles

The least expensive option to book Air New Zealand Business Class is with Virgin Atlantic: just 63,000 Flying Club points (transfer from Chase Ultimate Rewards with a 30% transfer bonus), but you do need to call Virgin Atlantic Flying Club at 800-365-9500.

Book either United Business Class or Air New Zealand Business Class with Air Canada Aeroplan for 75,000 Aeroplan miles each way.

Alternatively, if you have lots of United miles (or Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which transfer 1:1 to United MileagePlus), United Business Class is as low as 80,000 miles one way (although can be higher) and Air New Zealand Business Class is 99,000 miles one way.

Where to Stay in New Zealand

Most of New Zealand's best luxury accommodation consists of small luxury lodges that include both breakfast and gourmet dinner daily, perfect for fans of Relais & Chateaux properties. Our top recommendations are The Farm at Cape Kidnappers in Hawke's Bay, Matakauri Lodge in Queenstown, Otahuna in the Christchurch area, and Kauri Cliffs in the Bay of Islands.