How long is the flight to New Zealand from the UK?

Last Updated: 16 Jul 2025
Publish Date: 12 Sep 2017

Tanya

Before you visit NZ, Flights to New Zealand, NZ Travel Info

Planning a trip to New Zealand from the UK and wondering how long the flight is? This guide will answer your questions about flight times from the UK to New Zealand, which airlines fly to New Zealand from the UK and some handy travel tips for your trip.

The flight from the UK to New Zealand is long, in fact, you’ll need at least two flights to make it here. But don’t worry, the trip is worth every minute.

Every year almost 200,000 people travel to New Zealand from the UK, which is fantastic, we love making lots of new British friends on our New Zealand small group tours every season. What’s more interesting is that, according to Tourism New Zealand, half of British visitors will have already visited at least once before.

That tells us that we’ve not only got a wonderful country to show off, but the long flight is not a deterrent to visitors. Flying is a more comfortable experience these days anyway and it’s getting better every year. Today’s modern, fast aircraft with excellent in-flight entertainment systems and excellent service make the whole journey a pleasant experience.

Flight times to New Zealand from the UK

You have two options when flying to New Zealand from the United Kingdom, to fly via North America or Asia. Flying via North America usually takes longer; we’ve included times for both options in our table below.

Here’s a summary of flight times to New Zealand from the United Kingdom

Flying to New Zealand from:	Flight time to Auckland
London (via Asia)	24-26 hours
London (via North America)	26-30 hours
Manchester (via Asia)	25-28 hours
Manchester (via North America)	27-30 hours

Which way should I fly to New Zealand from the UK?

There are no direct, non-stop flights to New Zealand from the UK, so you must choose from two main route options – via Asia or North America – each with its own pros and cons.

Flying via Asia is usually quicker, with total travel times of 24–26 hours. Popular stopovers include Singapore, Dubai, and Hong Kong, with top airlines like Singapore Airlines, Emirates, and Cathay Pacific offering great comfort and plenty of flight choices from both London and Manchester.

Flying via North America is a bit longer, around 26–30 hours, with stopover options in Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Vancouver. Airlines like Air New Zealand, United, and American Airlines serve these routes, though with fewer flights from Manchester.

Remember: North American layovers often mean passing through US immigration, adding extra time as you have to go through immigration in the US even if you’re just transiting.

Flying to New Zealand from the UK via Asia or North America – Quick comparison:

Flight Time: via Asia (24–26 hrs) vs via North America (26–30 hrs)
Stopovers:
- via Asia: Singapore, Dubai, Hong Kong
- via North America: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver
Airlines:
- via Asia: Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Cathay Pacific
- via North America: Air New Zealand, United, American
Ease: Flying via Asia is shorter and often smoother with quicker connections.

Should I fly nonstop or make a longer stopover?

When you fly to New Zealand you have to make at least one stopover on the way, you can choose to limit your stopover to just transit time (say a few hours) and get to New Zealand as quickly as possible, or take a night or two to add another flavour to your trip.

The choice is yours, here are a few options and things to think about:

Transit Stopovers – Get me to New Zealand now!

One option is to fly with the minimum stopover time and get your long flight over and done with in one hit. The more you can sleep on the plane the better, as it will help you get over your jet lag.

Watch a couple of movies, read a book but don’t forget to move around and stretch during the wake times. On long-haul flights, there are a few places near the back of the aircraft where you can stretch your shoulders and legs and move around.

Flying to New Zealand in one go means you might be tired when you arrive, but after a day resting, you’ll be ready to start your adventure.

Short Stopovers – Let me off this plane so I can explore a new city!

The second option is to plan a stopover to break up your journey. Short stopovers of 12 hours are great for getting some rest time at a hotel and for stretching your legs. Some people like to explore a city for the full day and then return to the aircraft ready to snooze for the remaining journey.

A full 24 hours or more of stopover time will give you the best of both worlds. This adds some extra time to your journey but for many people, breaking up the journey like this can reduce the jet lag effects and adds another destination to your adventure.

Starting your New Zealand adventure with a couple of days in an exotic destination like Singapore or Tokyo beforehand is great fun, lots of our travellers do this and arrive with lots of stories of the fun they had.

MoaTrek Travel Tip – Fly via Asia for the quickest route to New Zealand

If you want to get your flight over and done with and get to New Zealand as soon as possible, we recommend flying via Asia. The flight time is shorter and changing planes is smoother than going via North America.

Where can I stop over flying to New Zealand from the UK?

From the UK (and almost anywhere in Europe) you can fly to New Zealand via Asia or North America.

Here’s a quick summary of our favourite stopover cities on the flight to New Zealand:

Fly to New Zealand via Dubai

Popular stopover from the UK, with many flights leaving in the evening, perfect for sleeping onboard.
Arrive early in Dubai, ready to explore the city’s unique attractions.
Two options to continue to New Zealand: Dubai to Auckland or Dubai to Sydney, Australia and on to Christchurch with Emirates.
Highlights: Burj Khalifa, man-made islands, luxury malls, and a vibrant cityscape.
Best visited in winter (Dec–Feb), with milder temperatures around 20°C.

Fly to New Zealand via Bangkok

Located halfway between London and Auckland, with 11.5-hour flights on each leg.
Great for a short 2-hour layover or a longer stay to enjoy the city.
Safe, friendly, and full of amazing food – perfect for first-time Asia visitors.
Served by Thai Airways and British Airways.

Fly to New Zealand via Singapore

Known for its incredible food scene and cultural mix.
A safe, clean, and easy city for those new to Asia.
Top spots: Supertree Grove, Marina Bay Sands, Raffles Hotel, Sentosa Island, colonial architecture.
Fly direct to either Auckland or Christchurch on Singapore Airlines.

Fly to New Zealand via Hong Kong

A modern city rich in history, with lots to see and do.
Affordable hotel rates despite its high living costs.
Don’t miss: Dim Sum, Victoria Peak, Star Ferry, and nearby Macau.
Fly direct to Auckland or Christchurch on Cathay Pacific.

Fly to New Zealand via Tokyo

A less direct but fascinating stopover option.
Surprisingly affordable for short stays.
Explore unique Japanese culture, gardens, shrines, and vibrant city life.
Tokyo offers a blend of tradition and the ultra-modern.
Air New Zealand fly direct from Tokyo to Auckland.

Fly to New Zealand via Los Angeles

Air New Zealand codeshare option via the US, with a stop in Los Angeles.
A great city for first-time US visitors with lots to explore.
Adds about 6 extra hours to your total travel time, so less ideal if you’re short on time.

Which airlines fly to New Zealand from the UK?

Due to code shares and airline alliances, you have a lot of choice of airlines to fly from the UK to New Zealand. Here are the most popular options:

- Singapore Airlines fly via Singapore to both Auckland and Christchurch.
- Cathay Pacific fly via Hong Kong to both Auckland and Christchurch.
- Emirates fly via Dubai to both Auckland and Christchurch
- United Airlines fly via Los Angeles or San Francisco
- Air New Zealand no longer fly into Heathrow, but you can book an Air New Zealand ticket which combines a flight with one of their Star Alliance partners such as Singapore Airlines or Cathay Pacific mentioned above.
There are more options, but these are the airlines most travellers on our tours fly with. You can get creative too and fly through Qatar, Korea, Malaysia, Japan or China, it’s up to you!
Search on Google flights to see the full array of flight options from your home airport to New Zealand.

Times and Dates in New Zealand

As well as enjoying opposite seasons (when it’s winter in the UK, it’s summer here in New Zealand), we’re also living in a different time zone – and often even on a different date!

Thanks to our location just west of the International Date Line, New Zealand is one of the first places in the world to welcome the new day. It’s one of the fun things about visiting New Zealand, but it can take a little adjustment when staying in touch with friends and family back in the UK.

Here’s a handy website for you to check the current time and date in New Zealand.

As a general rule, New Zealand is always “ahead” of the UK on the calendar, but the exact time difference depends on whether daylight saving time is in effect in either country.

If you think that the UK is 12 hours behind New Zealand at any time, you’ll be close enough to plan a call or catch the football scores!

MoaTrek Travel Tip – Take a few days to acclimatize when you arrive

Spend a few days in your arrival city in New Zealand before you start travelling to get over the jet lag and get used to New Zealand time. Especially if it’s your first time in New Zealand, it’s a great way to explore and discover all those new Kiwi experiences.

What to expect when you arrive in New Zealand

New Zealand’s temperatures are similar to the UK and Northern Europe. We don’t experience the extreme conditions you find in Scandanavia or the Mediterranean.
Seasons are the opposite to the UK & Europe:
- December in the UK (winter) = summer in New Zealand – pack shorts, tees and a sun hat.
- July/August in the UK (summer) = winter in New Zealand – bring warm layers and a jacket, especially for the South Island.
Auckland has a milder climate with no snowfall, while South Island cities like Queenstown and Christchurch are colder and will see snow in winter. Read more about the weather in New Zealand here.
Life in New Zealand is slower paced compared to major European cities like London, Paris, or Berlin.
If you’re from the UK or Ireland, driving is familiar – New Zealand drives on the left. Read more in our guide to driving in New Zealand here.

MoaTrek Travel tips for your flight to New Zealand

Here are a few handy tips to help you get through your flight and be ready to hit the ground running in New Zealand.

Wear loose comfortable clothing, being comfortable during your flight is the most important thing.
Drink plenty of water, keeping hydrated is key.
Move around, stretch or do some light exercises during the flight, this will keep the blood flowing and prevent you stiffening up.

If you have any questions about getting ready for your flight, just let us know when you’re booking your tour and we’d be happy to help.

Why New Zealand is worth the trip

New Zealand is not just another destination, for many travellers on our tours, it’s a place they’ve been dreaming of visiting all their lives. New Zealand was one of the last places on earth discovered by man. It’s a living breathing natural wonder with a small population of friendly people and amazing landscapes.

The geography of the country means that there are several different climates with golden beaches and snow-capped mountains within just a few hours of each other. The possibilities for outdoor activities are endless and the services based around the activities are some of the best in the world.

With a world-class cuisine, wine and coffee culture, a safe and pleasant environment for travelling, and the friendliest people on earth, New Zealand is worth the trip.

Plan your dream trip to New Zealand with MoaTrek

We hope you’ve found this travel guide helpful for planning your flight to New Zealand.

At MoaTrek, we’ve been running our New Zealand small group tours since the early 1970s, and we love nothing more than sharing all our favourite spots with visitors.

Get in touch now to start planning your trip, we’d love to hear all about your “Dream Trip to New Zealand”.

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