A Kiwi Airlines flight attendant who is part of the airline’s pilot program said it was cheaper to book the ticket to the airport from Auckland than to fly to New York.
“You don’t have to pay for a seat,” Ms Richey said.
“The price is a little more.
It’s a lot cheaper to go to New Zealand than it is to go through New York.”
She said the flight attendant was working for Kiwi and was looking for a job, so she was not aware of the cost of the tickets to New Jersey.
She did not give a figure but said she was expecting about $700.
Ms Richeyer said the cheapest way to get around New York City was to get a flight on a charter plane, which cost about $500 per person.
If the price was right, she said it would make sense to book one ticket to New Mexico, and book another one to New England.
For now, she is keeping her focus on New Zealand.
However, the flight is not the only option for Kiwis travelling to the US.
The New Zealand Tourism Board said on its website it was also accepting reservations for flights from Auckland to New Hampshire for the New England Patriots and the New York Jets, who are scheduled to play at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts on Saturday.
Tickets were also available for the first leg of the New Orleans Saints’ home game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.