How long is the flight to New Zealand from the USA?
Here's a handy guide for our American friends, answering the question "How long is the flight to New Zealand from the USA?", with flight times to New Zealand from all the major North American airports.
For more information read our article on travelling to New Zealand in a Post-Covid world.
How long is the flight to New Zealand?
From the USA, flying to New Zealand is fairly easy. The flight time from the airports of Los Angeles and San Francisco to Auckland (our main international airport) is just over 13 hours. Flights are direct and non-stop so there is a minimum of fuss and bother. And it will only get easier as airlines are gearing up to offer direct flights from more US airports.
From next month (7th July) Air New Zealand is recommencing direct flights from Houston (14.5 hours). Direct flights from Dallas with American Airlines will start In October.
Flights are also about to get a lot quicker for travellers from New York and the East Coast when Air New Zealand starts operating a direct flight (17.5 hours) three times a week from 17 September 2022.
For mid west folk, direct, non-stop flights from Chicago to Auckland of just over 16 hours restart on 30 October 2022 with Air New Zealand.
Canadians can fly with Air New Zealand on a 14.5 hour direct flight from Vancouver to Auckland.
Because of flight availability many travellers take a connecting flight from their home airport to San Francisco or Los Angeles then travel the last 13 hours to Auckland, New Zealand.
An added advantage is that flights from the West Coast generally leave in the evening. This makes a lovely start to your vacation, you can wind-down with a relaxing evening, get a good night’s sleep, and wake up refreshed close to New Zealand (and your adventure).
Flight times to New Zealand from major North American cities
| Flights to New Zealand from: | Flight time to Auckland, New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 13 hours direct |
| San Francisco | 13 hours direct |
| Vancouver | 14 hours direct |
| Honolulu | 9 hours direct |
| New York | 17.5 hours direct |
| Washington | 21 hours (two flights) |
| Houston | 14.5 hours direct |
| Chicago | 16 hours direct |
| Miami | 19.5 hours (two flights) |
Is it longer to fly from the USA to New Zealand or to Europe or Asia?
Interestingly for travellers from North America, some flights to European destinations have similar flight times to New Zealand. Compare the flight times below.
And just consider what is at the end of it. The trip of a lifetime!
Don’t forget New Zealand is one of the first places on earth to see the sun each day – an excellent point to brag about to your whanau (faa-no: Maori for wider family including friends).
Compare flight times from the USA to New Zealand and Europe
| From | to Auckland, NZ | to Paris | to London |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 13 hours | 11 hours | 10 hours |
| San Francisco | 13 hours | 11 hours | 7 hours |
| Vancouver | 14 hours | 12 hours | 9 hours |
| Honolulu | 9 hours | 18 hours | 17 hours |
| New York | 21.5 hours | 7 hours | 8 hours |
| Washington | 21 hours | 8 hours | 7 hours |
| Houston | 14.5 hours | 9.5 hours | 9 hours |
| Chicago | 16 hours | 8 hours | 8 hours |
| Miami | 18.5 hours | 8.5 hours | 8 hours |
Compare flight times from the USA to New Zealand and Asia
| From | to Auckland, NZ | to Tokyo | to Shanghai | to Bangkok |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 13 hours | 12 hours | 14 hours | 19 hours (two flights) |
| San Francisco | 13 hours | 10.5 hours | 13.5 hours | 19 hours (two flights) |
| Vancouver | 14 hours | 10 hours | 11 hours | 18 hours |
| Honolulu | 9 hours | 8 hours | 12.5 hours | 16 hours |
| New York | 21.5 hours | 17 hours | 18 hours | 19 hours |
| Washington | 21 hours | 16 hours | 18 hours | 20 hours |
| Houston | 14.5 hours | 10 hours | 18.5 hours | 22.5 hours (two flights) |
| Chicago | 16 hours | 13 hours | 14.5 hours | 20 hours |
| Miami | 18.5 hours | 19 hours | 20 hours | 21 hours |
Finding a flight is the first step to visiting New Zealand
One of the first things you need to know is how to get here, and you probably think that getting to New Zealand requires a long flight? The good news is that it may not take as long as you think, and airlines (especially our national carrier Air New Zealand) are working really hard to make your flight super comfortable and fun.
You may think it's a long way to New Zealand, and we know it's longer than flying inside North America, but when you compare it to other main holiday spots around, flying to New Zealand stacks up pretty well. Which is longer, the flight to New Zealand or the flights to Paris, London, Tokyo, Shanghai or Bangkok? That's all here too.
Lots of people make the flight from the North America for our small group tours every year and they all tell us is that it's definitely worth it, one sleep on a plane and you're in New Zealand!
When you look at a world map, you’ll see that New Zealand is isolated. It is surrounded by over 2,500 kilometres (1500 miles) of ocean to the nearest land mass and that’s just in one direction towards Australia.
Fortunately, New Zealand is very well-connected for folks in USA and Canada.
Why fly all the way to New Zealand?
To visit places like this, Milford Sound
What to expect when you arrive in New Zealand?
When you arrive in New Zealand there will be a few things you notice straight away:
- Our weather will be different to yours at home. Our seasons are the opposite from the northern hemisphere, so if you left in winter it will be summer here (which you'll love). For more info, read about our weather and climate here so that you pack the right gear (clothing).
- The pace of life is a bit slower here. There is no hurry; we will have time to get to know you well.
- Everyone is friendly and smiling at you, even in an airport. Don't worry it's normal, you're in New Zealand now!
Why does everyone love New Zealand so much?
Sure, it's a beautiful country, everyone knows that. But what you'll notice right away is something different, a connection with people and a real sense of caring.
It's hard to explain, you'll just have to come down and find out for yourself. We have a wonderful country and great people, and we want to show you all our favourite spots. We can’t say more than that!
We hope you've found this travel article helpful for your trip.
We're MoaTrek, and we've been running small group tours here in New Zealand since the early 1970s, and we love nothing more than sharing all our favourite spots with visitors.
To start the ball rolling on your "Dream Trip to New Zealand" drop us a line, we'd love to chat.
Read More New Zealand Travel Articles
North America to New Zealand Flight Route Map
