Air New Zealand today announced that tickets are now on sale for its nonstop service from Houston, Texas to Auckland, New Zealand. The airline will operate its inaugural Houston-Auckland flight on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015.

Air New Zealand will operate up to five return services per week, Tuesday through Friday, and on Sunday, using its Boeing 777-200 aircraft featuring a brand new interior, including the airline’s award-winning Economy Skycouch™, comfortable ink-colored luxury leather Premium Economy seats with leg rests, and lie-flat beds in Business Premier.

The new Houston gateway will be the airline’s fifth in North America (also Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver and Honolulu) and fourth in the United States, increasing service to Auckland over peak season up to 34 times per week from the U.S. Houston will serve as the fastest way to access New Zealand from East Coast and Midwest points of origin.

Air New Zealand’s Star Alliance partner United Airlines will code share into Houston from numerous North American cities. Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) provides nonstop service to almost 200 airports around the globe, including 113 domestic U.S. destinations.

Air New Zealand’s Houston – Auckland schedule from December 15, 2015 will be as follows: