ASPIRE and the "perfect" flight

Air New Zealand has cooperated with Airways New Zealand and the US Federal Aviation Administration to carry out a B777-200ER flight to San Francisco (SFO) that departed on 12 September 2008 from Auckland (AKL) to demonstrate what is now possible using advanced air traffic management technology and procedures to achieve a reduction in fuel consumption and aircraft emissions.

The NZ Herald reported on 15 September 2008 that the flight achieved a 4% reduction in fuel consumption.

The flight was part of the Asia & South Pacific Initiative to Reduce Emissions (ASPIRE) that also involves Air Services Australia.