From October 2020 through to March 2021, American Airlines starts a new seasonal service, flying direct between Christchurch (CHC) and Los Angeles (LAX) three times a week on a Boeing 787-8. A range of 25 rare cars from 1937 through to today, from the Ford Pickup Truck to the Shelby Mustang and the Chevrolet Corvette, travelled along a route taking in the Christchurch classics – Cardboard Cathedral, Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Christchurch Art Gallery, Hagley Park, Isaac Theatre Royal, Spitfire Square and The Bridge of Remembrance. 

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel joined the convoy in one of the classic cars provided by the American Classic Car Club Canterbury.‘ For the first time this direct flight creates a direct connection between North America and the South Island of New Zealand,’ says Dalziel. Shane Hodges, American’s vice president of Asia Pacific sales, points out that American has made a significant investment of $2.5 billion (US$1.6 billion) in terminals 4 and 5 of its LAX hub and can connect Kiwis to more than 70 destinations domestically and globally, with more than 200 flights operating out of LAX every day. Christchurch Airport joined the celebrations of the new route, lighting the terminal up in all-American red, white and blue.

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