On 3 September, Air New Zealand took 50 children with critical medical conditions such as cancer and heart disease, and their caregivers, on the flight of a lifetime over New Zealand. The nearly three hour flight took the aircraft and its passengers on a 440 km long and 483 km wide heart-shaped journey across New Zealand.

Departing Auckland, the Air New Zealand 787-9 headed south, beginning its heart-shaped path west of Taharo. During the flight, MCs Adam and Eve from The Adam and Eve Show entertained the kids on board. Prior to departure the children enjoyed a waiata performed by Te Kura Kaupapa Māori ā-Rohe o Māngere school.

Flight Plan

We partnered with Air New Zealand to help reveal the flight path on Facebook Live as the flight made its way over New Zealand. The exact flight plan was kept secret to ensure the finished path would be a surprise for the guests on board and for those watching at home.

And just in case you’re wondering what a heart in the sky looks like on a flight plan, here’s the full route.

NZAA DCT LENGU LEKUS 3808S17405E 3804S17343E 380S17327E 3802S17310E 3806S17249E 3812S17231E (TOC) 3823S17214E 3836S17201E 3852S17154E 3912S17149E 3930S17150E 48S17154E 4034S17215E MILON 4144S17356E FY 4109S17553E 4048S17634E 4036S17651E 4023S17704E 4006S17713E 3943S17716E 3926S17710E 3913S17700E 3902S17648E 3852S17632E CHUTE PARRA 3839S17534E POURO OR (TOD) 3826S17431E 3816S17419E 3808S17405E LENGU DCT NZAA