News

• New Zealand v California wine tasting event, London

  07/02/12

  Air New Zealand and Visit California hosted over 80 agents from the London region in January for an exciting taste off between New Zealand and Californian wines. Hosted at the Commonwealth Club, and joined by wine experts Peter McCombie and Peter Franz, guests enjoyed an evening of New Zealand (all selected from our onboard wine menu) and Californian wine tastings whilst taking part in an interactive quiz about the wines and to vote for their favourites – all for the chance to win 2 Economy Skycouch™ seats to L.A and accommodation and tours in California!

• World’s Biggest All Black Plane Lands at Heathrow

  25/01/12

  Air New Zealand’s new all black Boeing 777-300ER was treated to a hero’s welcome yesterday (24 January) as it landed at London Heathrow. The all black Boeing officially begins flying the London – Los Angeles - Auckland route this week and was ceremoniously greeted at the gate by the cabin crew to celebrate.

  Air New Zealand took delivery of the world’s largest commercially operated aircraft painted completely black this month and by mid-2012 the all black Boeing will be landing in Heathrow up to twice a week.

• Air New Zealand wins Oscars of the airline industry - again

  10/01/12

  Air New Zealand has won Air Transport World’s prestigious Airline of the Year award for the second time in three years. This is the first time in the nearly 40-year history of the awards that an airline has won the Airline of the Year twice in three years. Air New Zealand has won more ATW awards than any other airline in the past decade. 

• KIWI DEALS ON SALE NOW

  23/12/11

  Kiwi Deals are now on and we have some fantastic fares available across our destinations from the UK. Each of our sale fares are below with the important information that you need to know including sales dates and booking classes.

• Christchurch Earthquake December 2011 Policy

  23/12/11

  Christchurch Airport has advised Air New Zealand that its runway is now currently open following the earthquakeS which struck this afternoon 23 December 2011 (NZT). Domestic flights into and out of Christchurch this evening are operating close to normal schedule times.

• LHR Immigration Processing Strike Recovery Guidelines - Revision 0 - 1115/26Nov

  Trade Unions in the UK are planning a nation-wide public sector strike on Wednesday the 30^th November local time. This will impact significantly on the UK Border Agency’s (UKBA) ability to manage their normal operations at Heathrow. It is anticipated that the vast majority of the UKBA’s arrival processing staff will not turn up to work on the 30^th which will slow the flow of arriving passengers to the extent that they could be waiting in queues for several hours. If that occurs, the immigration and baggage collection halls will be under pressure to the extent that entry into the arrival hall from the aircraft may have to be controlled.

  Air New Zealand has just one turnaround at LHR on the 30^th, i.e. NZ2 departing AKL and LAX on the 29^th November is scheduled to arrive LHR at 1045, and NZ1 is scheduled to depart LHR for LAX and AKL at 1535. It is our intention to maintain this schedule. We have however blocked any further sales on NZ2 from both AKL and LAX (29Nov) and will give passengers currently booked on that flight the opportunity to change their travel.

• Smoother LAX Transit Process for Air New Zealand Passengers

  In conjunction with the US Border Control  Service we have streamlined this process so customers are handled as quickly as possible with minimal disruption. When they leave the aircraft in Los Angeles, Air New Zealand ground staff will hand them a transit card and direct them to the transit area where they will invited up in small groups of 10 – 15 at a time to present their passport and complete  U.S. Immigration formalities. There are complimentary refreshments and snacks in the transit area. 

• Sheep Twins Star in Latest Air New Zealand Videos

  03/10/11

  Air New Zealand’s latest series of internet videos released today star a pair of New Zealand sheep twins called Mason and Jason, sleeping, drinking and watching movies on the airline’s brand new ‘Cuddle Class’ Skycouch .

• NZ39 – Friday 16th Sept from Auckland/Hong Kong to London

  16/09/11 10:10am

  Today’s NZ39 – Friday 16^th Sept from Auckland/Hong Kong to London due to arrive into Heathrow at 1435 today will be arriving into Heathrow, however will unfortunately not be carrying any Passengers.

  Passengers who were due to travel on this flight from Hong Kong into London are being re-booked onto the next available flights and are being accommodated in Hong Kong if required.

  For customers due to meet passengers off this flight, we advise you to contact them directly where possible.

  For further information, please contact – 0800 028 4149

  NZ38 from London to Hong Kong/Auckland due to depart at 2100 today Friday 16^th Sept is scheduled to operate as normal.

• US SECURE FLIGHT INFORMATION

  The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is finalising plans for the US Secure Flight Program that requires Secure Flight Passenger Data (SFPD) for all air travellers flying within, into, out of and over the United States. The purpose of Secure Flight is to enhance the current security of air travel through the use of improved government watch list matching.

  As a consequence the following essential information must now be placed in all affected passenger bookings so Air New Zealand can transmit this essential information to the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

  • Passenger full legal name (as per passport)
  • Passenger gender
  • Passenger date of birth

  Air New Zealand will be required to provide this data for all passengers on flights to/from/via and within the USA from November 2010 at least 72 hours before the departure of the flight.