United, American Airlines consider direct flights to Auckland

Interesting as UAL used to have daily nonstops to NZAA in the 90s, that continued on to YMML.

I don't know if the B744s at tha ttime had the range to make it nonstop to Melbourne, but the route route in their system at the time went KORD-KLAX-NZAA-YMML and return. I distinctly remember that route because that was my first flight overseas (I still have the paper ticket).

The flight was full, so it definitely was a popular route.. don't know why UAL dropped it..