AIR NEW ZEALAND has won unlimited traffic rights into the UK. British Airways has not operated direct services in its own name since the mid-nineties. ANZ's real problem is to find or buy slots at Heathrow but it has operated out of Gatwick in the past and with such a long haul service that airport should not be a disadvantage for passengers. The airline has a fleet of Boeing 777 due for delivery from September fitted with the excellent and truly flat business class seats as per Virgin Upper Class. One problem yet unsolved is the transit process at Los Angeles, the US authorities determined that all incoming passengers actually ”land” at the airport and then re-board via security and immigration a tiring and unnecessary process. This has already resulted in Iberia pulling out of Miami as a hub.
http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz