Faced with high fuel prices the airline industry in recent months has taken action to cut weight thus increasing fuel mileage. While some companies are cutting down on food service and charging for luggage an Air New Zealand flight scheduled to leave Auckland Airport and arrive in San Francisco will be used as a demonstration.

The 12 hour flight will be used to showcase advances that have been made in the industry to cut down on the amount of fuel being used. The flight will also be used to promote airlines moving toward helping the environment buy cutting down on emissions. The Federal Aviation Administration hopes that this flight will arrive at the gate more quickly than before and plans to use this demonstration as the first in a series of flights that if successful will be implemented throughout the world.

The passengers on the 6500 mile flight won’t notice much difference in the way the plane is handled during the trip. However, according to Robert Sturgell, the acting head of the FAA, “…the pilots, air traffic controllers, and the industry are going to set up and take notice.” This joint venture between the FAA and Air New Zealand marks the beginning of more efficient and environmentally friendly air travel, something that Air New Zealand has been working toward for many years.

Learn more at: www.airnewzealand.com