Air New Zealand boosts summer flights to and from Tasmania

Air links between Tasmania and New Zealand are set to grow over the 2026-27 summer season.

Air New Zealand’s direct flights between Auckland and Hobart are to return with increased capacity, additional flights and an extended operating season.

More than 35,000 seats will be available during the 2026-27 season - a 28% increase year-on-year and a record for the route.

Growing international access is a key priority for Tourism Tasmania, and services like this play an important role in supporting the long-term growth of our visitor economy and strengthening Tasmania's connection to global markets, GM Sarah Kingston Clark said.

"The direct route across the Tasman is not only important for our key New Zealand market, it also opens up access from our largest international market of USA, providing a one-stop connection for major US cities.

"With flights resuming on October 25, it's a strong vote of confidence in Tasmania's growing international appeal and the experiences that continue to draw visitors from near and far." 

Hobart Airport said this will be the sixth season of Auckland-Hobart flights.

The seasonal service will operate three times a week for most of the season, with the airline adding a fourth flight per week for the peak period between February 27 and March 28. 

Hobart Airport Chief Executive Officer Norris Carter said strong demand for the ongoing seasonal service had enabled Hobart Airport and Air New Zealand, in partnership with the Tasmanian Government through the Aviation Attraction Fund, to secure the extended season and increased capacity planned for the next three years.

“This is a great result for Tasmanians and reflects the strong demand we’re seeing for direct travel between Tasmania and New Zealand,” Carter said.

“The service will now run from October 25 through to the end of April, which is great for Easter and will also capture more school holiday traffic."

Top chef Emett signs with Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand has signed up celebrated New Zealand chef Josh Emett as its new culinary ambassador. 

Emett is the only New Zealand chef to have collected Michelin stars across three different restaurants in London, New York, and Los Angeles in his time with Gordon Ramsay.

He is co-owner of Onslow restaurant in Auckland, the Oyster Inn on Waiheke Island and Gilt Brasserie in Auckland.

In this new role, Emett will focus on showcasing New Zealand produce, hospitality and elevated cuisine across the Air New Zealand premium dining experience. Tough luck for those in economy. 

As part of the new partnership, he will design a selection of signature dishes to feature alongside Air New Zealand's existing onboard menu across premium economy, business premier and business premier luxe, on all long-haul flights out of Auckland and on select flights from North America.

From October, customers travelling in the airline's premium cabins will have the opportunity to indulge in Emett's new menu items with dishes showcasing the ingredients that make New Zealand food so special.

Emett says it was the opportunity to showcase the best of New Zealand that drove him to take on the role.

“This is about taking what New Zealand does best out into the world. I started with the ingredients I love, like New Zealand lamb and venison, and built from there with seasonal vegetables and flavours that travel well at altitude. The result is food that feels elegant, refined and distinctly Kiwi," he says.

“There's a lot to consider when creating dishes that are to be enjoyed in the skies. Lower air pressure, humidity and even background noise change how we experience flavour, so you have to think carefully about how dishes are built, from seasoning through to texture and balance.

“You'll see bolder flavours in the dishes, whether it's the richness of a pinot-braised chicken or the intensity of a miso dressing. It's about making sure every dish delivers, even at 35,000-feet. 

“New Zealand ingredients are world class. Onboard an Air New Zealand aircraft is one of the first places people experience our country, so I want these dishes to reflect that - simple, delicious food that lets the produce speak and tells a story about where it comes from.”

Dishes from Emett's onboard selection will include seared venison with golden kūmara chutney, kawakawa-spiced beetroot and toasted pinenuts, as well as smoked kahawai mousse, red onion and celery pickle and toasted sourdough.

Air New Zealand chief customer and digital officer Jeremy O'Brien says the airline's culinary teams will work closely with Emett and local producers to reflect the diversity of New Zealand's regions on the menu, with a strong focus on seasonality and quality.

“As New Zealand's national airline, we're proud to represent the very best of New Zealand every time someone steps onboard,” O'Brien says.

“Food is a massive part of that. It can shape how people feel about their journey, and it's one of the moments we know our customers look forward to most.

“In Josh, we've partnered with a chef who is not only world class, but a true ambassador for New Zealand food. This is about more than a menu. it's about creating a uniquely kiwi experience that our customers will remember long after the flight.”

The new menu items will begin rolling out onboard from October 2026. 

See https://www.airnewzealand.com.au

Flying economy? Here's how you can still stretch out and sleep

Fancy escaping your economy seat for a few hours of lie-flat luxury during your long-haul flight?

A break from your cramped space; a chance to stretch out and grab some sleep by paying a supplement?

Air New Zealand' has announced that its innovative Economy Skynest will be available to sample from November, with bookings opening from May 18.

The initial Skynest project will operate between New York (JFK) and Auckland (AKL) - one of the longest routes in the world.

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Nikhil Ravishankar says Skynest is an example of the airline backing innovation that improves the travel experience.

“New Zealand's unique location means we understand long-haul travel better than anyone," he said.

"On some of the world's longest commercial flights to and from New Zealand, Skynest is designed to make a real difference to the journey. Featuring six lie-flat pods in a bunk-style layout between the economy and premium economy cabins, it gives customers the opportunity to stretch out, lie flat and get a few hours' proper rest in the air.”

Developed over several years and tested with more than 200 customers, each Skynest pod provides a private space with a full-length mattress, bedding, ambient lighting, ventilation and charging ports.

The sessions have been designed to allow for natural sleep cycles giving time to settle, sleep and wake gradually. Initially, two sessions will be offered on each flight for a payment of around $495 per person.

“It's a simple idea with a powerful impact: swap the headrest for bedrest, and arrive ready to go,” Ravishankar says.

None of the publicity material has addressed what happens if one of the residents in a very enclosed space is a loud snorer, a bold farter, or, heaven forbid, tries to sneak a friend into the pod for some extracircular activities. 

It is bound to happen sooner or later.   

Learn more about Skynest at https://airnewzealand.com/economy-skynest

Air New Zealand flags cancellations as well as airfare increases

Earlier this week we reported bad news for flyers with the increase in the price of jet fuel leading Air New Zealand becoming the first international airline to increase airfares in a bid to offset challenging operating costs. 

Air New Zealand confirmed that it has implemented fare changes, saying that if the conflict in the Middle East continues, it would take further pricing action.

Now the airline is flagging flight cancellations.

Air NZ is set to cancel around 1100 flights affecting thousands of passengers through until early May.

Air NZ chief executive Nikhil Ravishankar told Radio New Zealand’s Morning Report that between now and the end of April/early May the airline will cancel around 1100 flights.

In that period the airline will carry around 1.9 million passengers, so 44,000 passengers will be affected by flight cancellations, he said. Most of the passengers will be moved to flights on the same day.

The exact flights cancelled have not yet been announced.

Services would be cut "proportionally across the board", meaning both domestic and international, but no routes would be cut altogether. Off-peak services would be the focus of the cuts, he said.

So you can thank President Trump's "pre-emptive" action for that. 

IATA’s weekly monitoring of jet fuel prices has revealed a 58% rise from US$99.40 to US$157 a barrel on last week. 

Air New Zealand also pointed to an increasingly volatile spread in the difference between crude oil and the price of refined jet fuel. 

“Since the conflict began, the crack spread has been particularly volatile, widening from approximately US$22 per barrel before the conflict to as high as US$115 per barrel,” Air New Zealand said in a statement. 

"As a result, the airline has suspended its 2026 [earnings] guidance for the foreseeable future, with the crisis expected to 'meaningfully affect' its second-half earnings." 

Network and schedule adjustments were also flagged. The share prices for both Qantas and Virgin Australia both dropped this week on the back of the jet fuel crisis before rallying. 

Air New Zealand develops its own wine brand

Air New Zealand will soon be flying direct from Auckland to New York - and is also introducing its own wines for flyers to enjoy en route. 

Air New Zealand has announced plans to create its own wine brand to be enjoyed by customers both in the air and on the ground. 

Named Thirteen Forty Five, the label will pay tribute to the airline's inaugural flight from Auckland to Sydney in 1940, which spanned 1345 miles. 

The flight was operated by Air New Zealand's predecessor, TEAL (Tasman Empire Airways Limited), and that flight marked the beginning of a new era of air travel that would connect New Zealand to the world.

Crafted in collaboration with renowned New Zealand wine producer Villa Maria, part of Indevin Group, Thirteen Forty Five will launch with a signature sauvignon blanc and a pinot noir, available exclusively to Air New Zealand customers.

Air New Zealand has worked with winemakers on the ground in Marlborough to create bespoke blends that capture the essence of New Zealand's most famous wine regions.

Air New Zealand general manager for customer experience, Kylie McGillivray-Brown, says each wine has been crafted with special attention to how flavours are experienced at altitude.

"This wasn't about simply putting our label on a bottle - we've collaborated with Indevin's world-class winemakers to craft these unique blends, creating an exclusive experience for our customers, whether they're savouring it at 30,000 feet alongside our thoughtfully-curated menu, or in our lounges," she said.

"Each pour will be a toast to the journeys that have connected New Zealanders with each other and New Zealand to the world."

Thirteen Forty Five will be available from March 2025 in premium economy, Air New Zealand lounges, and on the Airpoints Store. 

For a limited time, customers will also be able to enjoy it during Koru Hour on select domestic flights.

"From Waiheke Island to Central Otago, it's a privilege to showcase the very best of New Zealand winemaking and share it with the world," says McGillivray-Brown.

Tasmania calls out to Kiwis

Tourism Tasmania has partnered with Air New Zealand on a marketing campaign and flight sale deal to raise awareness for the Auckland to Hobart route which re-starts in October.

Air New Zealand offers non-stop flights from Auckland to Hobart seasonally with connections available from domestic New Zealand Airports.

The Air NZ flights are currently the only international flights from Hobart Airport.

The campaign uses the tagline: History, nature, art and food - Tasmania's got it all!

Air NZ is telling Kiwis: “Forest-clad parks laced with hiking trails are separated by broad valleys dotted with food and wine experiences. Historic towns built along rivers are full of riveting stories from Tassie's intriguing past. And Hobart city on the Derwent River has some stand-out cultural experiences, including world-famous Mona (Museum of Old and New Art) on Berriedale Peninsula.”

The campaign aims to attract Kiwi travellers to Tasmania during spring and summer.

Advertising promoting experiences and events will be in market in Kuwiland until August 18.

Emissions target "too hard" for Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand has officially abandoned its 2030 target to cut carbon emissions. 

The New Zealand flag carrier is the first major airline to do so, saying meeting the target was too hard.

It blamed the problems of sourcing sustainable jet fuel and delays in getting more fuel-efficient planes, news website Travelmole reported.

The airline says it remains committed to cutting emissions and the overall goal of net zero emissions by 2050.

It says it will devise a new short-term emissions target.

“In recent months, and more so in the last few weeks, it has also become apparent that potential delays to our fleet renewal plan pose an additional risk to achievability,” Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran said.

Just two years ago, the airline adopted a more ambitious target of cutting emissions.

New Zealand’s location and the size of the aviation market is also playing a part in the lack of viable sustainable aviation fuel development locally.

No not so clean and green. 

Air NZ and Singapore Airlines to continue successful partnership

Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines have reached agreement to continue what has been a hugely successful joint venture.

The two national flag carriers will work together until at least March 2029, Travelmole reported.

The agreement allows the airlines to continue offering more flight options and access to their combined networks.

Over the course of a 10-year partnership, Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines have grown the seat capacity between New Zealand and Singapore by nearly 50%.

This includes the addition of up to three daily flights between Auckland and Singapore, and a daily service between Christchurch and Singapore.

Air NZ Chief Transformation and Alliances Officer Mike Williams said: “The partnership gives New Zealanders access to the world beyond the Singapore gateway into destinations in Europe, India and south-east Asia.”

The airline joint venture partners will operate a total of four daily seasonal services between Auckland and Singapore from October 27, 2024, to March 29, 2025.

With a fourth daily seasonal service between Auckland and Singapore, the carriers will jointly operate 38 return flights weekly between New Zealand and Singapore during peak months.

This translates to more than 893,000 seats available every year.

Air New Zealand flights grounded by engine issues

Hobart International Airport will soon be plain old Hobart domestic airport after Air New Zealand announced it will be suspending services to the Tasmanian capital next year.

But it is not just Tasmania that will be suffering, with the Star Alliance carrier also planning to halt flights to Seoul in South Korea.

Air New Zealand said it now has "a clearer understanding" of Pratt & Whitney (P&W) engine maintenance schedule changes and the impact it will have on its passengers and operations.

As a result, it will suspend its services to both Seoul and Hobart with no resumption dates announced.

In July, Pratt & Whitney disclosed a condition affecting the maintenance plan for the Geared Turbofan (GTF) jet engine fleet, with up to 700 engines globally to be impacted over the next three years, with a major effect on global aviation. 

“Air New Zealand has 17 A320/321NEO aircraft in its fleet of 108 aircraft, serving Australia, the Pacific Islands and domestic New Zealand," said Air New Zealand chief executive officer Greg Foran.

"While this maintenance issue does not present a safety issue, it has caused Air New Zealand to revise its flight schedule as a result of adjustments made to the engine maintenance plan.

“We’ve been able to reorganise most of our schedule by consolidating some flying and moving aircraft to different routes. Most customers whose flights have been changed will still fly on the same day, some on international flights will be reaccommodated to services a day either side of their original booking and some may have a cabin change due to a different aircraft being used.

“We have also taken the difficult decision to pause two of our international routes. Flights connecting Auckland and Hobart will pause from April 5, 2024, with our Auckland to Seoul service paused from  April 1, 2024. 

"The pause on flying to Seoul is to allow more resiliency when the Trent1000 engines that power our 787 fleet go for regular maintenance due to potential issues with the availability of spare engines from Rolls Royce to cover the maintenance period.

“While both routes have performed well, we need to ensure we can deliver a reliable service across the rest of our network and get customers on our most in-demand routes to where they need to be. 

"Customers will still be able to book to Hobart and Seoul with Air New Zealand, but these flights won’t be direct and will be partly operated by our partner airlines.” .

He added that the impacts of the Pratt & Whitney servicing schedule change are significant and could impact services for up to two years, with the airline forced to have up to four aircraft grounded at any one time.

“Leasing additional aircraft is an option we are looking at closely," he said. "Our latest leased Boeing 777-367ER aircraft is about to enter service and we are considering other lease options.”

Global recognition for Air New Zealand

There are awards for just about everything nowadays; from best airline in the world to best supermarket product of the week.

Air New Zealand is celebrating this week after AirlineRatings.com, the airline ratings website, named the Kiwi flag carrier as Airline of the Year for 2023. 

It was Air NZ's seventh victory since 2013 and rewards the airline’s innovations, including its SkyNest economy beds. 

Air NZ saw off previous winners Qatar Airways and leading contenders that included Etihad Airways, Korean Air, and Singapore Airlines.

The AirlineRatings.com awards are evaluated by five judges sharing decades of industry experience. They take into account safety and government audits combined with 11 critical criteria including fleet age, passenger reviews, profitability, investment rating, product offerings, and staff relations. 

So just the opinions of five judges. 

Geoffrey Thomas, editor-in-chief of www.AirlineRatings.com, said: “Through our meticulous analysis, Air New Zealand emerged as the clear winner in numerous key areas, though the scores were quite close among the top five.”

The list of the Top 25 premium airlines is headed by Air New Zealand, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Virgin Australia/Virgin Atlantic, EVA Air, Cathay Pacific Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa/Swiss, SAS, TAP Portugal, All Nippon Airways, Delta Air Lines, Air Canada, British Airways, Jet Blue, JAL, Vietnam Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Hawaiian, KLM, Alaska Airlines, and United Airlines.

Air NZ took out the award for best economy class, while, Qatar Airways continued to reign as the best business class for the fourth consecutive year. 

Singapore Airlines claimed the award for best first class. 

AirlineRatings.com also presented awards for the best low-cost airlines, with Southwest Airlines securing the top spot in the Americas, Fly Dubai in the Middle East, AirAsia in Asia, Jetstar in Australia/Pacific, and Ryanair in Europe. 

Oh dear. You have to wonder how much credibility to give any awards that praise Jetstar and Ryanair. 

A prickly delay at a New Zealand airport

An Air New Zealand flight was delayed taxiing to the terminal at Dunedin Airport (above) with a prickly problem. 

A stubborn hedgehog was blocking its route.

The pilot spotted the creature on the runway shortly after the flight touched down from Auckland, Travel Mole reported.

“I have to make an announcement I’ve never made before: 'there is a hedgehog on the runaway’,” the captain told passengers.

The plane stood still while firefighters were called to remove the stubborn critter.

They managed to coax the hedgehog off the runway and the plane the taxied to the gate.

“The hedgehog made if off the runway safely,” Air New Zealand said in a statement.

“Over the course of a year its not unusual to have a few hedgehogs walk across the runway,” an airport spokesperson said.

The Air New Zealand spokesperson confirmed flight NZ675 had a small delay of five minutes “while the aircraft waited for a hedgehog to be removed”.

It said: “The hedgehog made if off the runway safely.”

Air New Zealand hits the Big Apple - but some baggage doesn't make it home

Oops. And it was a big oops.

Air New Zealand's first flight between Auckland and New York landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport at the weekend - the first non-stop service between Auckland and The Big Apple.

The 17-hour+ flight made its debut almost three years after it was first announced.

“By adding greater access to the east coast of the US, we’re connecting our North American customers to the possibilities of 20 destinations within New Zealand as well as the Pacific and Australia, all within easy reach,” Air NZ CEO Greg Foran said.

Air New Zealand now serves seven US and Canadian destinations, including Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver and now New York City.

The bad news was that dozens of passengers on the return flight to Auckland - which landed on Monday morning - discovered that their luggage had not made flight NZ1, Newshub reported. 

Air New Zealand chief operating officer Alex Marren apologised for the inconvenience caused, news website stuff.co.nz reported. 

"Unfortunately given additional fuel requirements due to adverse weather, some customer bags were unable to be loaded in New York and we are getting them to New Zealand as soon as possible," she said. “We are in touch with customers to update them and reunite them with their bags.”

With a distance of 14,215km, the flight is the fourth-longest currently operating flight in the world.

Air New Zealand warned on passenger rights

Air New Zealand is the latest airline to cut back on its schedules in a bid to combat cancelled and delayed flights and long waiting times at airports.

Air NZ said it will reduce the number of seats available on its flights by 1.5% - but its plans caused a warning from the national consumer rights organisation, Consumer NZ.

"Air New Zealand has announced today it will be operating a reduced schedule, meaning flight changes are in the pipeline for many passengers already booked to fly," Consumer NZ said in a statement.

"However, we are concerned Air New Zealand’s announcement omits important information about passengers’ rights."

The airline said: “If your domestic flight has changed and you have not been given a flight on the same day, then you will be able to request a change online under ‘Manage my booking’, opt into credit or request a refund.

"If your international flight has changed and you have not been given a flight on the same day or on a day either side of your original booking, then you will be able to request a change online under ‘Manage my booking’, opt into credit or request a refund.”

Under the Civil Aviation Act, however, if an airline cancels or delays a domestic flight for reasons within its control, passengers are entitled to reimbursement of up to 10 times the cost of the ticket or the actual cost of delay - whichever is lower.

"So, if Air NZ cancels or delays your domestic flight, in addition to getting your flight refunded, you may also be able to claim other expenses, such as meals and accommodation, and any additional costs you incur in getting to your destination." said Consumer NZ. 

"Similar rules apply for international flights, but vary depending on where you are, where you’re heading and where the airline is based."

Air NZ said that most customers to be hit by flight changes will be automatically transferred to another flight on the same day for domestic travel, while for international bookings, customers may see departure times move to another day either side of their original date.

“Where customers cannot be accommodated within these time frames, they may change their booking online, opt into credit or request a refund,” the airline said.

Air NZ Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran said the decision to trim volumes would ultimately make its services more reliable as it rebuilds capacity following the pandemic.

“Like many airlines around the world, we’ve been ramping up our operation at a time when Covid and the flu continue to impact the aviation industry,” Foran said.

Foran also suggested Air NZ may lease a crewed wide-body aircraft for the busy summer period.

Consumer NZ is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to getting New Zealanders a fairer deal.

Air NZ says no vaccination certificate: no flight

Air New Zealand is to impose a blanket ban on unvaccinated passengers on all its international flights.

Customers intending to fly internationally with Air NZ must be fully vaccinated from February 2022, or will be refused access to the plane.

Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran said the airline is working on a system to verify passengers' vaccination status.

"At the moment we have a card that we get, but obviously the plan is to move that to a digital solution," Foran said.

"The Government is working on the Travel Health Declaration, which will be required to be filled out.

"We're staying close to the industry body IATA, and they have something called the Travel Pass, so there'll be a combination of forms here that will be developed over the next four months to make it as seamless as possible.

"Being vaccinated against Covid-19 is the new reality of international travel – many of the destinations Kiwis want to visit are already closed to unvaccinated visitors."

The Air NZ website says customers who are not vaccinated will be required to present proof that vaccination was not a viable option for them for medical reasons.

"Mandating vaccinations for both our employees and customers on our international flights will provide the peace of mind that everyone onboard meets the same health requirements as they do," the airline said.

No news yet on the implementation of a similar plans for domestic flights.

In September, Qantas, Australia's national carrier, said it will require that all passengers on international flights to be vaccinated.

Image: TA Ho on Scop.io

Passengers slam Air New Zealand for intransigence on refunds

Air New Zealand is under fire from passengers after passengers booked on cancelled flights to Norfolk Island were told they were not entitled to a refund.

Air New Zealand temporarily cancelled all flights from Australia to Norfolk Island to weeks ago after the Australian government suspended quarantine-free flights from New Zealand to Australia (these have since been reinstated).

Due to the changed border restrictions, Air New Zealand said its crew would have been unable to operate the Australian domestic flights without first undergoing 14 days of hotel quarantine.

This left hundreds of Australians stranded and prompted Qantas to operate five rescue flights between Brisbane, Sydney and New Norfolk last week, 

Members hit the Australian Frequent Fyer (AFF) notice board to complain about Air New Zealand's high-handedness. Air NZ was the most-complained-about company in Aotearoa last year.

An Air New Zealand spokesperson confirmed to AFF that customers booked to Norfolk Island were orginally offered either a travel credit or to change their travel dates, but that the airline has since decided to offer refunds to passengers booked on the cancelled Norfolk Island services as a “gesture of goodwill”.

This is a good outcome for those affected passengers but Air New Zealand maintains that it is not legally required to refund passengers where a flight is cancelled for reasons outside the airline’s control.

The airline argues that events such as the recent Norfolk Island cancellations are due to Covid-19-related restrictions, and are therefore beyond their control.

Since last year, this policy has left many tens of thousands of Air New Zealand customers with cancelled flight bookings unable to access refunds. Many of these customers have instead been issued with flight credits that will expire by the end of this year.

According to section 15.5 of Air New Zealand’s conditions of carriage, the airline is entitled to issue a credit instead of a refund under some circumstances.

Air New Zealand's website says that passengers can “book with confidence”, as the airline is waiving change fees or offering credit vouchers for any flights booked until March 31. But that doesn’t guarantee a refund.

Unlike Air New Zealand, Qantas’ policy is to offer refunds for any flights cancelled by the airline, industry expert AFF reports.