United Airlines has made history by becoming the first American airline to touch down in Christchurch, with the inaugural flight from San Francisco landing on Sunday morning.
United Airlines flight UA730 departed San Francisco Airport at 11:27pm on Friday (local time) and landed at Christchurch Airport at 10:03am (NZ time) on Sunday, becoming the first time a US carrier had flown to the South Island.
United Airlines said the inaugural aircraft has been christened with the name 'Kiwi Cruiser' and adorned with a special New Zealand silver fern.
The inaugural flight was welcomed with a traditional water cannon upon its arrival to commemorate the occasion, United Airlines said.
Christchurch Airport has also opened Planespotters' Park specially for the inaugural flight and it will be open from 9am to 3pm for planespotters to watch the aircraft's landing and departure.
In a statement, United Airlines said this signifies a defining moment in aviation history and the strengthening of United Airlines' relationship with New Zealand for years to come.
United's senior vice president of global network planning and alliances Patrick Quayle said this route has been on his agenda for a long time and described New Zealand as a "special destination".
"This is a route I've personally wanted to add to United's network for a long time - I had the opportunity to backpack in New Zealand earlier in my life and it's such a special destination that offers travellers an experience unlike anywhere else in the world," Quayle said.
"And because of United's partnership with Air New Zealand, customers can easily connect from Christchurch to 19 other destinations across New Zealand."
Christchurch Airport chief executive Justin Watson said he was "so excited" to welcome the inaugural flight and United to the airport and believes the service will "supercharge" tourism in the region.
"The American travel market is buoyant, with Americans travelling widely again and we know they want to experience what the South Island offers," Watson said.
"In addition, the service brings much-needed air freight capacity for South Island producers and enables South Islanders direct access to the US and beyond."
United Airlines is now offering the non-stop service from San Francisco to Christchurch three times per week on the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
Passengers can fly with United to San Francisco departing Christchurch on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays at 2:15pm (NZ time). The flight will leave from San Francisco to the major South Island city on Fridays, Sundays and Wednesdays departing at 11:30pm (local time).
The configuration of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner offers 28 Polaris business class, 21 Premium Plus, 36 Economy Plus and 158 Economy seats on every flight.
