VANCOUVER — Air New Zealand will move to a daily return service on the popular Vancouver-Auckland route over the peak northern winter period between mid-December 2015 and late-January 2016.

This will be the first time the airline has operated daily return services on the route and represents a 21% increase in capacity over the previous six-week peak northern winter period.

In another first, Canadian customers are now able to book the airline’s revolutionary Economy Skycouch product as the route will be consistently operated by refurbished Boeing 777-200ER aircraft from Oct. 25, 2015.

Air New Zealand Vice President of the Americas Chris Myers says better-than-expected Canadian sales called for more capacity and the airline is thrilled to offer both additional seats and a consistently superior product.

“We are very pleased about the continuing growth out of our Vancouver gateway so it is only fitting that we are able to offer our Canadian customers more scheduled flights as well as more choices for comfort and convenience when travelling to New Zealand – or Australia via Auckland.

“The new Premium Economy product gives customers a taste of luxury with a custom leather seat featuring individual armrests, a leg rest and an extendable foot support. Meanwhile, 20 rows in the Economy cabin will be fitted with the Economy Skycouch giving customers the choice to purchase a row of three seats that easily convert to a flat surface.”

The airline will bump up capacity across the entire northern winter season, adding almost 3,000 seats to the route in each direction, representing a 10% increase in capacity compared with the previous year.

Air New Zealand offers a convenient overnight service to New Zealand, departing from Vancouver early evening and arriving into Auckland early in the morning, allowing for same day connections to 24 domestic New Zealand and eight Australian gateways.