Air New Zealand has begun a code share arrangement with the world's fifth largest airline, Continental, which will allow the carriers to sell tickets on each other's flights.
The agreement will operate across 540 flights per week to and from Continental's main hubs in Houston, New York and Cleveland.
It will also involve Continental Airlines code-sharing on some of Air New Zealand's trans-Pacific, trans-Tasman and domestic services.
Air New Zealand says the deal should boost tourist numbers to New Zealand and make it easier for New Zealanders travelling to the US east coast to book connecting flights.
Shares in Air New Zealand reached a two-year high, climbing 3 cents to $1.45 on Friday.