An update from Air New Zealand: Re-igniting travel, sustainability and their future cabin experience

With New Zealand air traffic up 1,552%* since the start of the year, we thought it’s time to check-in with the country’s national carrier. Read more to learn about Air New Zealand’s enhanced passenger experience and how they’re working towards a more sustainable future.

Re-igniting travel to New Zealand and North America with Air New Zealand

What a difference a few months can make in this post-pandemic environment. With borders flung open, Air New Zealand are ramping up carefully to ensure customers receive the best possible experience when connecting to family, friends, and destinations across the world once again.

With the largest schedule between Australia and New Zealand, you’ll discover why Air New Zealand is a better way to fly across the Tasman. And when in New Zealand, it’s easy to hop from one adventure to the next, as Air New Zealand flies to 20 domestic destinations across the country.

Last month the airline re-commenced services from Hobart, Cairns, Maroochydore and Adelaide direct to Auckland, giving you more choices when you fly. Lounges are now also re-open for eligible customers in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, and Brisbane.

For those with business in North America, Air New Zealand connects you to seven destinations (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Chicago, Honolulu, Vancouver) and newest destination New York commencing from 17 September 2022.

Air New Zealand will operate three weekly services direct from Auckland to the Big Apple with connections from major cities in Australia.

Flight NZ0™

As Air New Zealand looks toward the future and gears up for this new era of travel, sustainability remains a core focus. In fact, the airline has embarked on their most important journey yet – Flight NZ0™. And it’s not to New York or Tokyo, or anywhere else you can find on a map.

It’s a journey to a new era of air travel. Flight NZ0™ is not just a name, it’s a commitment that Air New Zealand will find a more sustainable way to connect with the world, a commitment to future passengers that they will experience the world we all know and love. And it’s a commitment to do whatever they can to reach their goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

A feat that won’t be easy, it will take a combination of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), zero emissions aircraft technology, continued fleet renewal and ensuring their ground and flight operations are as efficient as possible. And for any remaining emissions, they will utilise credible carbon removal solutions.

It will take partnerships, like with Airbus, to explore the future of green hydrogen-powered aircraft in New Zealand. And with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to understand how SAF could be produced in New Zealand.

And it will take methods that don’t exist yet, but when they do, Air New Zealand will be ready.

Air New Zealand's Future Cabin Experience

There’s a certain magic when cruising at 40,000ft on your way to somewhere new. Five years ago, Air New Zealand set themselves a challenge and since then, have spent over 170,000 hours researching, designing and talking to customers to design their new world-class cabins.

At the end of June, Air New Zealand unveiled their ‘Cabin of Possibility’ for their new Dreamliners, due to arrive in 2024, which will give customers more choice than any other airline, providing the best sleep in the sky.

With all new cabins, such as Business Premier Luxe™ which is designed for more space and privacy. In Business Premier Luxe™ and Business Premier™ customers wanted a space that allows them to work, sleep and dine, complemented by the latest technology and digital innovations. And Air New Zealand have certainly delivered on that.

But the biggest innovation is actually in their Economy cabin. Skynest will be a game changer for the economy travel experience. Customers will be able to stretch out in one of six sleep pods for part of their journey and catch some shut-eye, with sleep and wellness being such an important aspect for customers post-pandemic.

And as mentioned earlier, with sustainability being such a key priority for the airline, the new cabins are made using fabric, rather than leather, which has allowed them to save around 1kg in weight per Business Premier and Premium Economy seat. This, together with 20% lighter serviceware and the removal of 28 million plastic dishes, is helping to reduce overall carbon emissions and plastic waste.

But in the meantime, while these aircraft are in development, Air New Zealand’s current Business Premier™ cabin is packed with features that make it a cut above. So, why not reach new heights of comfort travelling in Premium Economy or Business Premier™ and make yourself at home. And with delicious Kiwi-inspired cuisines, matched with premium New Zealand wines, you’re in for the ultimate in-flight experience.

* Data sourced from New Zealand Customs Service Report: Arriving and Departing Air Passenger Movement Numbers in NZ 1 January – 31 July 2022