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Delta has added another new direct flight to its rapidly expanding network.
This time they’ve chosen one of the world’s most stunning destinations, giving travelers a reason to dip into their savings and splurge on a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
For the first time, Delta will now fly directly to New Zealand as it launches flights between Los Angeles and Auckland.
Here’s what you need to know:
Direct flights to Auckland, New Zealand
The 12-hour, 55-minute flight between Los Angeles and Oakland will operate year-round.
From November to March, the flights will be daily, and from April to October, there will be 3 flights a week on the route.
This is an exciting development because when this new flight route was first announced in early 2023, it was advertised as a seasonal service, but Delta has now decided to expand this and provide a year-round connection.
The daily flight will depart Los Angeles (LAX) at 11:00pm each day and is then scheduled to arrive in Auckland at 7:55am two days later local time. This time distance makes it feel like a very long flight!
During the low season from April to October, flights will depart Oakland on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and depart Los Angeles on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
The period between November and March are considered New Zealand’s summer months and the most popular time for American travelers to visit.
Increased demand for travel to New Zealand
New Zealand travel is picking up again after a very long recovery period after COVID. American travelers are eager to return to the country.
United Airlines is also launching new routes to New Zealand starting next month, and there has been a significant expansion of trans-Pacific flights between the two countries in recent months.
But Delta will be the only US airline offering year-round flights between Oakland and Los Angeles.
It’s also the first time Delta has offered flights to Auckland and New Zealand.
What to do in Auckland
New Zealand is a stunningly beautiful destination for many American travelers, and Auckland is considered the gateway to the country. Most travelers will arrive in Auckland and use this as a starting point to discover other popular nearby destinations.
But Oakland should be considered an amazing destination in its own right.
Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city and offers breathtaking natural beauty, a vibrant urban atmosphere that is popular with backpackers and budget travelers, and a rich cultural diversity.
Thanks to its stunning coastline and large harbour, Auckland is often referred to as ‘the city of sails’. And if you’re not a keen sailor, you’ll find exceptional beaches along the same stretch of bright blue sea.
Although Queenstown is considered the adventure capital of the world and is the most popular destination for adrenaline junkies in New Zealand, Auckland also holds its own on the adventure front.
The Sky Tower and Harbor Bridge are popular bungee jumping spots, and the city’s west coast attracts tourists and canyoneers from around the world.
If you’re on a budget, there are also great spots for helicopter rides and motorcycle tours.
Looking for an experience that’s a little more subdued? Oakland is a city of outstanding natural beauty.
The Waitakere Ranges, Shakespeare Regional Park and Hunua Ranges are popular beauty spots with incredible natural wonders.
Add in beaches that are impeccably kept and a backdrop of dormant volcanoes and you certainly won’t be disappointed.
Culture vultures will find that Auckland has a host of fascinating museums and galleries, local craft markets and high-end boutiques to explore, as well as a vibrant dining scene.
You can use Auckland as a starting point for a tour of New Zealand and all that this naturally beautiful country has to offer. But you can also visit Oakland for a vacation and fall in love with every minute.
This is an area well worth exploring and will now be easier than ever for many American travelers to access.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com