The coronavirus has upended airline route networks as we know them.
In addition to adding new leisure-focused destinations for passengers, airlines have redrawn their route maps to minimize the chance that crew members contract the virus.
The latest modification comes from Air New Zealand. Beginning Feb. 2, 2021, the carrier’s U.S. flights will operate with a stop in Honolulu for a crew change.
Sign up for TPG’s free new biweekly Aviation newsletter for more airline-specific news!
Air New Zealand explains that the Hawaii stop will allow “our crew members to overnight in Honolulu rather than Los Angeles” in an effort to reduce the risk of crews catching the virus on the mainland, where positivity rates have climbed as high as 15% and up.
While flights will stop in Honolulu, passengers won’t be able to get off the plane for an island excursion. The crew that operates the Auckland to Honolulu flight will layover there before returning to New Zealand a few days later.
A new crew will fly from Honolulu to the mainland and back, where they’ll rest for a few days. Finally, a third crew will fly from Honolulu to Auckland.
Video: Long COVID Testing Lines At LaGuardia Airport (CBS New York)
Westchester Releases Recommendations For Power Companies To Improve Storm Response
CBS New York
Gov. Cuomo Angered By Slow Rollout Of Vaccine To NYC Health Care Workers
CBS New York
Sandra Lindsay, First Person To Receive COVID Vaccine In U.S., Gets Final Dose
CBS New York
Dr. Max COVID Vaccine FAQs: Will The Vaccine Stop The New Strain Of Coronavirus?
CBS New York
90-Year-Old Man Dies After Falling Into Storm Drain
CBS New York
Vandals Destroy Salvation Army Mobile Canteen In Harlem
CBS New York
New York City Public Schools Resume Classes After Two Weeks Off
CBS New York
Man Goes On Wild Rampage In Tribeca
CBS New York
Homicide Under Investigation In Maplewood, N.J.
CBS New York
Hundreds Of Health Care Workers In New Jersey Receive Final Dose Of COVID Vaccine
CBS New York
New Strain Of COVID Found In New York
CBS New York
Child Killed, Another Injured After Being Hit By Van While Being Dropped At School
CBS New York
Press Conference: Gov. Cuomo Update On COVID-19 And Vaccine Rollout In New York
CBS New York
Press Conference: Mayor De Blasio Update On COVID Vaccine Rollout In NYC
CBS New York
New York Weather: CBS2's 1/4 Monday Afternoon Update
CBS New York
Westchester County Calls On Utilities To Improve Storm Response
CBS New York
Westchester Releases Recommendations For Power Companies To Improve Storm Response
Westchester County has a few ideas about how utilities can improve power restoration after bad weather. In fact, it has 42 of them, outlined in a tough new report after the tropical storm in August. CBS2's Tony Aiello reports.
CBS New York
Gov. Cuomo Angered By Slow Rollout Of Vaccine To NYC Health Care Workers
Annoyed at a slow pace of vaccine distribution, the governor on Monday expanded the number of eligible people and slammed hospitals who have not used their allotment. CBS2's Marcia Kramer reports.
CBS New York
Sandra Lindsay, First Person To Receive COVID Vaccine In U.S., Gets Final Dose
The first nurse in the United States to get the COVID vaccine received her second shot Monday morning. CBS2's Vanessa Murdock reports.
CBS New York
Though New Zealand is closed for tourism, returning citizens and others with pre-approved visas can travel to the country on an Air New Zealand flight.
Due to the significantly reduced demand, the airline has cut its U.S. operations to just two weekly Los Angeles flights, Cirium schedules show. The airline continues to operate multiple cargo-only flights to both Los Angeles and San Francisco. One Mile at a Time reports that the carrier’s cargo flights will also stop in Honolulu.
The new Honolulu stop will add about 500 miles to the Los Angeles flights, which represents an additional two hours or so of travel time.
Air New Zealand isn’t the only airline to redraw its route network to accommodate its crewmembers.
More: United has an intricate plan to repatriate COVID-positive pilots
American, Delta and United aren’t flying directly to China, citing the lengthy waits crew face on arrival, as well as the other coronavirus-related restrictions placed upon them during layovers. Instead, they’ve added stops in Seoul, South Korea to avoid staying over in China.
United, for its part, has even detailed a new repatriation process for pilots that test positive for the virus during a work trip. The Chicago-based carrier has promised to ferry infected or possibly infected crewmembers back to the United States on non-passenger flights.
Featured photo courtesy of Slattery
SPONSORED: With states reopening, enjoying a meal from a restaurant no longer just means curbside pickup.
And when you do spend on dining, you should use a credit card that will maximize your rewards and potentially even score special discounts. Thanks to temporary card bonuses and changes due to coronavirus, you may even be able to score a meal at your favorite restaurant for free.
These are the best credit cards for dining out, taking out, and ordering in to maximize every meal purchase.
—
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Source: Read Full Article