| Air New Zealand facts at a glance |
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Frequent Flier: (Star Alliance) Fleet: 99 (20 longhaul) Seat Pitch: Economy 34" (PE 40") Business: 6'7" domestic 30" Food free LH / basic SH Drink limited service Website airnewzealand.co.nz Latest News: |
Air New Zealand Business Class
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Air New Zealand Premium Economy
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Air New Zealand Economy Class
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| Air New Zealand: |
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Seats & Fleet 777 747 767 Entertainment Amenity Washbag Inflight Experience Luggage allowance Routes Frequent Flyer Lounges AKL SYD BNE LHR RAR NAN History Hints & tips Food Drink |
 Air New Zealand Boeing 777 business class |
Air New Zealand, is the happy, professional, very Kiwi, face of a the small, rather ignored, twin islands at the bottom of the Pacific. Small yet professional, recently revamped, and doing ultra-long-haul with style the airline has seen better days, and yet has recent put on a new brave face after some disasterous investments, and is determined to move forward with new inflight service and brands. It is also suffering badly from a militant workforce, who aren't keen on market forces. And yet it is the New Zealand flag carrier focusing on Australasia and the South Pacific, with services to Europe, North America and Asia.
It's larger than you'd expect, with a fleet of 99 aircraft, although many of these are smaller ones for the domestic routes. It flies to 26 international destinations in 14 countries across Asia, Europe, North America and Australia, and yet for many passengers, it can be an airline that they miss, or don't consider.
Air New Zealand has learnt from the big boys that it can no longer attempt to get away with it's old style full service, three classes on board, and all the trimmings. Now, domestic, it is just a low-cost carrier. Short haul over the Tasman it's facing up to a lot of tough competion (although not very well), and ultra long haul, it's realised that the days of offering business & first (in just 1970s seats) is long gone. Now there is economy, or premium economy, and Business that puts the old first to shame. As if that wasn't enough, Air New Zealand has now revamped economy again, with a novel design of seat that turns it into a bed, and Premium Economy that is almost the same as a business class seat. This really moves the airline into a whole new league.
Many of these moves have been welcomed, and yet the airline still manages to run some top-class lounges, and yet, still, has many passengers who try very hard to book on another airline. Partly this is the fault of the Frequent Flyer scheme, Airpoints, which really isn't all that good. Reviews and opinions are mixed about Air New Zealand Trans-Tasman, where economy really isn't all that good at all, with pretty dire food and entertainment: the Asian & Gulf airlines do this run much better. There is also the issue that passengers who book on the Kiwi run never do so by accident - after all, noone transits via Auckland on a whim, unless NZ is the destination - the airline still has has some way to go.
Air New Zealand Boeing 747-400 at London Heathrow in Middle Earth promo livery for 2004
NEWS: Air New Zealand is buying the new Boeing 787. It has eight 787-900s on order. With this new aircraft it plans to open new routes from 2013.
Air New Zealand has a relatively old fleet. It does however have plans to acquire eight new Boeing 777-200ER and two 787-800 aircraft at a cost of NZ$1.35 billion, which will revamp the airline and put it back in among the main players.
 Business Class on an Air New Zealand Boeing 777 |
Express is also Air New Zealand's name for Tasman (to Australia) and most south Pacific flights (to & from NZ excluding Noumea & Tahiti which are longhaul). These services have Business class, along with Pacific Premier (the new economy plus class on 747s and 777s).
Long Haul the old system of First, Business & Economy has gone. Instead Air New Zealand's best class is now called Premier Business Class. Instead of inventing it's own seat for this new class, it has instead using the sames seats as you'd find on Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class Suite seats, which it has leased. All seats in the 747s and 777s have these seats with an almost flat bed (6'7" long), and a large TV screen - but force you to sleep every so slight curved and sloping downhill. Air New Zealand have gone for rather poorer fabric than Virgin, and indeed things like the headrest are a rather dull brown plastic.
 Economy Seats on an Air New Zealand Boeing 777 |
The new Pacific Premium class is a Premium Economy seat (also called Space+ seats) and has a similar concept to World Traveller Plus on British Airways; in effect you pay for a seat with more legroom (40" pitch) and on the 777s and 747s, and a seatback TV with AV on demand (AVOD). Premium Economy seats are located in a dedicated cabin which shares lavatories with the Business Class cabin.
A perk is the class has the same mood lighting, and inseat power for electronic devices such as laptops as the Business Class cabin, along with the same wine selection (although you may not be able to access the wine list to find out what's there) - but the food remains the cheap stuff you'd get in the back of the plane. Demand for this class is very high indeed, particually as it can be booked at no extra charge as an upgrade by frequent travellers (Koru Gold Elite & Gold). Gold Star Alliance members can get this upgrade free either at checkin (if there is space available, which is rare), or by calling the service centre (although success here varies). The perk's here mean it can be well worth while accepting a longer flight time on Air New Zealand from Oz to the UK, if only for the extra legroom, compared to Singapore.
Pacific Economy remains economy, but at least longhaul you now get an (8.4") seatback TV - a new concept for Air New Zealand recently (although other airlines have offered them for a decade), and a fairly comfortable seat. It has a headrest which slides up, and wings that come out which you can rest your head on.
 Boeing 777 Air New Zealand at Raratonga |
Ticket wise, there are 4 categories of fares - Business, Fully Flexi (full economy), Flexi Saver, and Smart Saver (the most restrictive economy and non-mileage earning), often called Tasman Specials. The difference between Flexi and Smart Saver is often only a few NZ$, so it can be worth spending the extra.
Air New Zealand also had a low-cost offshoot, Freedom Air, which flew between New Zealand, Eastern Australia and Fiji. Created in 1996, it was axed in 2008, because Air NZ found that passengers were confused by the two brands, which had similar fares but a reduced on board service. All flights which were Freedom Air are once again branded as Air New Zealand.
Boeing 777 Economy seats on Air New Zealand |
The current 200 ER model seats 26 in business class, 36 in premium economy, and 242 down the back in economy. They are used on the flagship route from Auckland to London Heathrow via Los Angeles, Tokyo, San Francisco, Shanghai, Beijing, and on some flights to Rarotonga and Nadi. Very occasionally you may get lucky enough to snag one across the Tasman from Sydney. All seats have a personal entertainment system, with seatback TV screens and AVOD.
Boeing 777 Business Class on Air New Zealand |
Business Premier Class has the fully lie-flat 6 foot 7 inch long seat, which is leased from Virgin Atlantic. Like that airline, these seats are in a heringbone fashion, which can be a problem if you are a couple seated together, however the comfort of the seat more than makes up for that. Business is in the nose, where it should be, with 6 rows of seats in a 1-2-1 layout. Oddly, the front row is row 2, and it carries on to row 7. Rows 3 or 4 by the window tend to be the most popular, because in row 2 you can hear the crew chattering in the galley. There is a large 10.4" screen, which folds out from the bulkhead, and large noise cancellation headphones.
Pacific Premium Economy (Economy Plus, also called Space+) Class has just 4 rows in a 3-3-3 layout, and to be fair the seats are pretty much the same as they are in economy, however the legroom is superb, at 40 inches. Indeed in all except the front row this can be a bit of a problem where you end up squinting at the (admittedly) quite large seatback video screens (which is 8.4" wide), and so for this reason row 23 is highly prized, because it has a flip out video screen in the armrest, and acres of legroom, however the armrest is fixed to the seat, which means on those long flights over the Pacific, you can't fold it out and sleep lieing down the row of seats; although this is rarely possible on in Premium Economy anyway, as these cabins are always packed out.
Boeing 777 Premium Economy on Air New Zealand |
Pacific Economy Class on the 777 is pretty standard, with a 3+3+3 layout, and smaller video screen of just 5" screwed to the seat ahead, although you can get as much legroom as in economy plus if you ask for the rows with a bulkhead, row 34, or row 53, an emergency exit. However beware of row 34 as it's right by the rack of 5 economy toilets (although there are 2 more in the rear).
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| Economy flatbed seats on Air New Zealand's 777 |
The new 777-300ER has a totally new cabin, which was designed for the forthcoming 787. It is a delight, and should be taken at all costs. Most novel are the flat beds in economy: the first 11 window rows of Economy class will feature the Skycouch, where a row of three seats can be turned into one of 22 horizontal lie-flat beds for two adult passengers. Do not try to book these if you are travelling alone - all three seats need to be booked, at US$200 more than economy, along with the cost of the third seat at half price. Economy is alas in a 3-4-3 layout, with a 33" pitch, so it is much more campt than old economy, and has a 33" pitch.
Premium Economy on Air New Zealand's new 777-300ER also gets a radical revamp, that turns it almost into business class: The seats feature hard back shells, with seat recline of 9". Layout is 2-2-2. Designed by "Contour of Wales" the seats angle outwards from each other, providing some privacy. All news reports of the new seat have highly commended it. The 777-300ER has 246 Economy seats (including 66 seats that will create the Skycouch combinations), 50 in Premium Economy and 44 in Business Premier. On the plane food gets a revamp too, and can be ordered on demand via the seatback TV IFE.
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| The latest Premium Economy on AirNZ's 777-300ER |
Boeing 747-400 |
There are 46 seats in Business Premier Class, which are the leased Virgin fully lie-flat 6 foot 7 inch long version in a 1+2+1 layout downstairs, and 1+1 upstairs in the front half of the bubble behind the cockpit. Children won't be seated here it's much quieter, plus you can get a lot of attention from the cabin crew.
The window seats here benefit from a huge cubby hole low down under the window, which is large enough for a carry on case. However the windows here slope so much its impossible to get a decent view of the ground. All seats have a personal 10.4" video screen with Video On Demand.
Boeing 747 Business Class on Air New Zealand |
A few 747s are left with the Old Business Classseats, with a pitch of 50 inches, a 2+2 layout on the Upper Deck, and 2+3+2 on the Lower Deck. These seats have a small 4" fold old personal TV screen for the Inflight entertainment system.
Boeing 747 Business Class on Air New Zealand |
Pacific Premium Economy (Economy Plus, also called Space+) Class has, as you would expect for the extra money, pretty good legroom at 40 inches, and seatback video screens coming in 8.4". There are two side "wings" of PE downstairs in row 27 to 30, beside the staircase (with just 2 seats on each side in each row). An unusual perk is that Air New Zealand have put a few Premium Economy seats on the Upper Deck, with a 3+2 layout. Snagging one of these 23 seats is a real plus. Children are not seated here, and the cabin has a very cosy feel.
Pacific Economy on a 747 has 324 seats in a 3+4+3 pattern. With the bulkhead and emergency exit seats not only can you get out of your seat without problems on a long flight, but there are also fold out video screens (on the revamped aircraft) and a table in the armrest, although beware that this eats into your seat width. These emergency exit seats are highly prized, and are normal reserved for Gold Airpoint members. Exit row 31 is good, as are 43 and 53.
Boeing 747-400 old style Business Class seats |
At the back of the plane, due to the aircraft's shape, seat arrangement is 2+4+2 in rows 57 to 59, and are highly prized by couples who want two seats without having to step over the person in the isle, however these seats are near the rear toilets. In 747-400s row 31 gets a bulkhead, but may also get a fold out cot, so you may be blighted by children. Row 43 gets lots of legroom with an overwing door - but no window! Row 53 is best, as it gets an emergency exit, a window, and no cot. It's also not over the wing - and is by far the best selection. Beware of booking window seats in rows 35, 36, and 37, as these seats get a blank wall instead of a window.
Air New Zealand Boeing 767 at Auckland |
Boeing 767 new style Business Class |
There are 24 seats in Business Premier Class, which are in a 2+2+2 layout with 4 rows. Seats in both the new and the non-revamped planes are similar with an old fashioned 50 inch pitch, with a 60 degree recline. However the new seats are leather and slightly more comfortable. However this regional business style and does not include the full lie-flat Business Class seats you'd get on Air NZ's 747s and 777s.
Boeing 767-300 economy seats, with row 15 in background |
Pacific Economy seats are in a 2+3+2 pattern, with 210 seats. There are now seatback TVs, with AVOD, however the seats are really nothing to write home about. Exit row 18 is good, with lots of legroom, and there is also more legroom in row 19, but these are just behind the toilets. There is a Galley on the side of the forward cabin, as a result row 10 on the left has increased space thanks to the bulkhead, but it is difficult to see the movie screen. Row 39 and 40 are near the rear toilet block, and suffer from passing passengers throughout the flight. Avoid row 15 - it has no window, and should be avoided at all costs, and Row 14 equally only has a small segment of a window. Space+ seating is still economy class, but it has a bit more legroom: Gold Airpoints & Star Alliance members (plus full fare passengers) can ask for this: it is located in the front few rows of the cabin.
Air New Zealand has plans to replace the 767s eventually with new Boeing 787-900s, however there have been so many delays with this aircraft, it will be several years before the 767 stops flying with Air New Zealand.
Boeing 767-300 old style business class |
Airbus A320 business class seat |
Business Class is pretty good in the A320. It certainly ranks as better than in most airlines A320s, because Air NewZealand have fitted full business class seats, with 2 rows in a 2+2 format, and a pitch of 42". The recline about 120 degrees - not flat, but you can certainly sleep in them on the Tasman redeye. There is a good reading light in a bendy stalk. There is no video screen, so handheld DVD players are offered with a library of 15 titles, on flights over three hours.
There are 36 seats in Business Premier Class, which are in effect economy seats but with a bit more legroom. These upgrades are offered for free to Gold Koru club members,
Pacific Economy has a 3+3 layout, and 138 seats of 32" pitch. Exit Row 11 has a bit more legroom. There are dropdown LCD screens every 3 rows.
Christchurch Boeing 737 at the airbridge |
The Airbus A320s will replace Boeing 737-300 aircraft on domestic routes from 2011.
Boeing 737-300 exit row seats |
Pacific Economy Class has 136 Seats in a 3+3 layout, and a pitch of 30". It's pretty basic stuff with no entertainment or in seat power supplies.
Interestingly, Air New Zealand had the last 737-300 to come off the production line, and it's pretty rapidly scrapping it: not that there is anything wrong with the aircraft, however Air New Zealand has decided on an all Airbus fleet shorthaul.
Inflight service International drinks trolley |
In Business long-haul there is champagne before take-off, along with hot towels. The crew are right on the button in the new cabins when it comes to service, but on the trans-Pacific flights the attentiveness of the crews slacks off a tad in the latter section of long flights, and they can be found yacking in the Galley. On all flights a menu is brought round with the food, however for the drinks list you have to specifically ask for the wine menu. This is a delight on Air New Zealand, with a thick booklet describing the wines.
Inflight service Trans-tasman economy drinks trolley |
In Premium Economy you get served meals first, and in theory you get free alcoholic drinks thoughout the flight from the business class selection, however after the first run though the cabin, you'll have to press the call button to get any service. You can on long-haul flights also access the self-service refreshment bar for drinks and snacks. In addition, on long-haul flights you get a Pacifica Skincare lip balm and a luggage sachet in your amenity pack, which also includes socks, eyeshades, earplugs and a toothbrush. Slippers are provided on flights to and from China and Japan.
Preflight Drinks on a 777 |
In all classes there is an inflight magazine, and on all long haul routes most aircraft have the inflight on demand entertainment system, ADOD.
Domestic flights have a very basic service, with just one trolley that makes it's way up the isle dolling out the biscuits and tea, There is no option of buying anything more on these flights. Long gone are the old business class flights from Wellington to Auckland where you got everything handed out - but no time to eat, drink, or read it.
Domestic KoruHour flights are flights at peak commuter times within New Zealand, on a weekday before 9am, and evenings between 4:30pm and 7pm, on flights between Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown. And here's a bit of a shock - you get something to eat on the plane, and a beer in the evening! In the morning after you stagger on & the plane is aloft, you get proper (Robert Harris) plunger coffee, muesli or a muffin and a complimentary newspaper. For evening flights there's free wine, beer and L&P, served with a selection of Kapiti cheese, crackers and grapes or Abe's Bagel bites with Kato Hummus.
Headphones Business Class |
Headphones Economy Class |
The Audio Video on Demand or AVOD system on Air New Zealand is known as KiaOra, it's now on almost all the fleet, and it's pretty good. You can start, stop, and rewind films & TV shows. The only annoyance is the rather slow response and the painful levels of menus you have to go through. If you want to, you can just flick through the mainscreen channels to see what's on, but it's rather a waste. On the 777 and 747, the handset has two options for stopping and starting the films: either go through the on screen menus (press Menu on the handset), or press up to pause, left & right for FF and rewind, and down to stop (and for the menu). On the 767 the handset actually looks like a proper TV remote control.
KiaOra AVOD welcome Screen |
A real perk on Air New Zealand is that the AVOD is switched on while you are on the ground, so you can watch TV even while the aircraft is boarding. This may sound trivial, but actually it is a huge perk as it means you can watch two complete films on Trans-Tasman services.
IFE Moving map |
All Tasman and Long-haul flights on the Boeing 777 and 747s are moving away rapidly from the old Mainscreen system and there is now a video on demand system which allow you to start, stop, and rewind films & TV shows. Economy and Premium Economy gets a 8.4" seatback video screen, and small overhead band headphones (for free) while Business Premier has a 10.4" screen, and large noise cancellation headphones.
The film selection is pretty good. There are 26 new release movies with 13 main films, or which about 4 are current cinema offerings, and 4 will be New Zealand titles.
IFE in 767 Business Class |
DVD in A320 Business Class |
The older 747 & 777 entertainment system has a fold out TV screen for Business, and a Mainscreen option for economy, with just a 1980s style projection screen at the front of the cabin. However it is very rare to get this type of screen, and all will be replaced with AVOD very shortly.
On A320 aircraft in Business to Australia and some south Pacific islands you get an individual handheld Panasonic DVD, and the crew bring round a library of fifteen movie titles and ten audio channels. However, again, all A320s used on long-haul will have AVOD soon.
There is no entertainment on Domestic flights, however the scenery in New Zeland often makes up for it: on the south island, check out the Alps as they wizz past you - and not that far below you either, they are pretty high. Up north, the bays and islands make a facinating sight.
New IFE handset on a 767 |
Living Nature soap in the loos |
This includes Living Nature skincare products which are available in all Air New Zealand premium bathrooms. The Living Nature range is made in New Zealand and features native ingredients that are selected and harvested for their unique nourishing and healing properties - such as flax, manuka and rosehip.
Air New Zealand has a pretty standard baggage allowance for each flight, but there is much more allowed if you take the route via Los Angeles from London to Auckland, rather than going by Hong Kong. Check in agents at LHR have been known to ask passengers to fly a totally different way around the world to get them under the allowance; penalties for exceeding the limit are applied with no leeway.
Cabin Bags: Economy Class passengers can take hand luggage of one bag weighing up to 7kgs / with no defined weight limit (although you must be able to lift it) into the cabin, business class can take two. They must be no larger than xx by yy. 23 x 36 x 56cm, (approx 9 x 14 x 22 inches). Rules on contents (such as liquids) apply.
Check in luggage: On all routes except to or via the United States economy class can check in one bag weighing 20kg (44lbs), and business class and Premium Economy can check in a total weight of 30kg. Routes to or via the United States have a more generous allowance: all classes have 2 pieces, with economy allowed two bags (max combined weight 46kg (100 lbs)) while Business and Premium Economy have a max combined weight of 64kg (140 lbs). On Domestic flights, how much you can take depends on the fare you have paid: Smart Saver takes 1 piece (maximum 25 kg) and Flexi Plus 2 pieces (maximum 25 kg each).
Airpoints Gold & Gold Elite Status (and Star Alliance Gold) Frequent Flyers gain an extra 20kg checked in luggage allowance, for itineraries not including North America (or one extra piece for the US flights). There is also one more cabin baggage allowance on Air NZ (2 pieces totalling 14kg regardless of class of travel). This increase, although not advertised, applies to all Star Alliance Gold members.
Air New Zealand's website has details of exactly what you can take onto a flight.
International Routes Air New Zealand |
| Airline schedules change regularly. |
| This information is intended as a guide, but for up to the minute timetables, please consult Air New Zealand. |
The "short" route from London LHR goes to Auckland (the NZ001) on a 777 leaving at 1615 via LA (2 hour stopover at 1745) arriving at 0515 two days later. The return (the NZ002) leaves AKL at 2130, getting into LA at 1355 (confusingly, earlier, but on the same day) and then into LHR at 1100. This is Air New Zealand's flagship route, although the hassle of transitting via America (which involves clearing immigration, only to re-board) means that it's appeal has declined of late.
The "long" route from London LHR goes to Hong Hong (the NZ038) on a 747-400 leaving at 2105, into Hong Kong's new airport (at 1550, leaving again at 1810) before staggering into Auckland at 0845 (a day later). The return (NZ39) leaves Auckland at 2330, getting into Hong Kong at 0645 (2 hour layover) and then into LHR at 1435, catching up with it's twin which has flown the other way around the world.
Internationally, Auckland remains the hub of things, with a flight to San Franciso on a 777 leaving at 1900 getting in at 1015. This route started in 2004, the first new international destination for many years. Tokyo has a daily flight at 0830 (1030 on a Friday) on a 767 (747 on a Tuesday & Saturday). Singapore gets a daily flight at 1130 (on a 767) plus an SQ codeshare. Christchurch also has flights to these locations. Hong Kong scores a daily flight (except Mopday) at 1000 on a 767.
Asian Routes Air New Zealand |
Trans-tasman there are five daily flights from Auckland to Sydney departing at 0700, and arriving at 0830 (on a 767), 0900 (A320), 1300 (A320), 1530 (767, but an A320 on Thur, Sat & Sun) and 1730 (A320). To Melbourne there are flights at 0830 on a 747 (or 1000 on a Tuesday), 1530 (A320) and on a Friday at 2140 (on an A320). To Brisbane theres an 0640 departure on an A320 (except Weds), 0930 (on a 747), and 1600 (except Sundays). Perth gets a single flight at day at 1505 (except Tues & Thurs) on a 767. Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown also have Trans-Tasman flights.
Auckland Domestic Terminal |
Domestically, Auckland remains the hub of operations. There are regular shuttles to Christchurch, and Wellington, plus less regular flights to Queenstown, and Dunedin. The only locations in NZ that do not have direct flights to Auckland are Invercargill, Westport, Hokitika, Timaru, and Wanaka.
Be warned that if you're travelling from Christchurch to Auckland three of the daily flights (NZ34, NZ90, & NZ98) depart from the Christchurch International terminal, with full international customs & passport checks.
Transiting from International to Domestic flights at Auckland isn't a great experiance either - you end up having to collect your luggage and get the bus down the road to the separate domestic terminal. The walk is much shorter (the bus only runs every 15 minutes; the walk is 12).
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| Click here for the Star Alliance website |
Joining Air NZ Airpoints costs NZ$50 (AU$50 for Australian residents), which is waived for Koru Club members, recent business class passengers (on Air NZ and must be paid not award or upgrade), and new members can be given a flight reward by a Gold Elite member.
If you do not either live in NZ or Australia or fly Air NZ from time to time, then Air NZ Airpoints is a very poor scheme to join - there are better frequent flyer programs.
London LHR Boeing 747-400 taxing to stand |
If you dont fly Air NZ at least once in the membership year, a fee is charged. The flight doesnt have to be airbucks earning to count.
Earning on Air NZ Airpoints is quite good in first and business, but fairly poor in economy, and non-existant for discount economy. As Air NZ Airpoints earning is based on routes, in some cases this earns more than other FFPs which are mileage based, but some earn less. It depends on the particular routes.
Air NZ Airpoints has 4 status levels. Jade, Silver, Gold, and Gold Elite. Status is earned during a membership year - ie not based on fixed calendar. If you qualify for higher status this should get picked up fairly quickly and the membership year resets (note this means a good idea to use Gold upgrade vouchers before qualify for Gold Elite).
There is a 10% discount to requalify for the same status, and if you lose status you only fall one level at a time. So for example, qualifying for Gold Elite for the first time provides 2 years of *G status - one year as Gold Elite and a further year as Gold. Status is valid until the end of the month 13 months after the start of the membership year.
Air New Zealand Boeing 767 at Auckland |
Domestic (except as add-on for long haul) and shorthaul awards on Air NZ are redeemed at rate of 1 airbuck to NZ$1 and can be booked online to pay with airbucks. Taxes must be paid in cash (credit card for online). Any seat can be booked this way - there does not need to be any special award inventory available.
Upgrades on Air NZ can also be done with airbucks. Upgrades from economy to business premier (Business class) are available, but the cost is significantly higher than from economy to pacific premier (Economy plus). You can either book a confirmed upgrade (not available from some cheaper booking classes) or on a standby basis.
Upgrades may be requested online or over the phone, and on all fares including Smart Saver, from 3 days ahead (for silver only 48 hours).
Christchurch Air NewZealand flight to Queenstown |
The very scarce benefits of Silver are one Koru Club or Air NZ International Lounge entry coupon (not good for regional Koru Clubs), valid for 1 year. There is a one-class one-sector upgrade voucher, confirmable from 48 hours to 4 hours before departure, priority on the waitlist, and the ability to redeem airbucks on Business Premier awards.
Inflight service drinks trolley |
You get free access to all Koru Club and Air NZ International Lounges, plus of course all Star Alliance lougnes, along with one guest to these lounges (but no access to the regional Koru Clubs). There are two one-class one sector upgrades (LHR to AKL counts as two sectors and economy to full business premier also counts as a two-class upgrade, so needs 2 vouchers), confirmable up to 3 days before departure.
There is more checked baggage allowance, with an extra 20kg for itineraries not including North America (or one extra piece for the US flights). There is more cabin baggage allowance on Air NZ (2 pieces totalling 14kg regardless of class of travel). Priority check in at the business class counter, priority boarding, priority baggage tags, one voucher for a hotel OR car rental upgrade (on Avis, Budget, & Hertz). There is also no expiry of airbucks.
Auckland Air New Zealand Boeing 767 |
In addition to the Gold Benefits, there are five Koru Club 24 hour valet parking coupons, which works at AKL, WLG and CHC, valid for 1 year and is not transferable. You also get a partner Elite Gold card (allowing priority check-in, baggage tags, and lounge access).
Christchurch a smaller Air New Zealand service prepares to take off |
At London Heathrow, Air New Zealand use the new bmi lounge. In Hong Kong there is the United lounge, however there are much better lounges at both airports. At Hong Kong you can try the Thai or Singapore lounges.
There are even lounges at some of the remote Pacific islands, like Nadi, Rarotonga and Papeete. These are cute airports, with first rate facilities. There are good drinks and sandwiches (Nadi lags behind here, as the sandwiches only seem to come out for some flights, eg not for NAN-LAX) and a great atmosphere.
You get access to the Air New Zealand international lounges either with Koru Club membership, with a Gold or Gold Elite Airpoints Status, or via Gold membership of any other Frequent Flyer club in the Star Alliance network.
 Air New Zealand Koru Club food in the Auckland lounge |
Koru Club members can bring in a guest except at Koru Regional Lounges in Hamilton, Palmerston North, Napier, Nelson, New Plymouth, Queenstown and Invercargill.. Star Alliance Gold members can always bring in a guest. Koru Club members do not have In Transit Access to the Air New Zealand International Lounge in Los Angeles, but Koru Club members at LA are sometime put up in an alternative lounge from time to time, due to capacity constraints. Star Alliance Gold members are allowed access at all times, with a guest.
 Auckland Air New Zealand Koru Club. |
This lounge has recently had a most welcome fashion makeover, and the old dreary green look of the 1980s has gone, to be replaced by fresher green corduroy sofas, however the place is still decidedly gloomy - especially the inner lounge area.
This is probably the worst place to hang out in the lounge, as it is the one most people make for, and yet it's often crowded, particularly before the flights for the US & UK leave. Instead you can sit at the couple of tables around the bar, or go further in to the area close to the windows.
 Auckland Koru Club's beer fridge |
There is no longer a business centre: instead on the far wall of the inner area has four desks, with four (relatively fast) internet computers. There are telephones by each computer, which can receive (but not make) calls. There is one telephone cubical, which charges $4 to make, and then $4 a minute for calls: your mobile may be a lot cheaper. Free Wifi is available, from two networks: the two are called AirNZ which is not encripted, and Koruclub2 (User: koruclub, password: nelson). At the far end of the room there is a large desk with heaps of various types of mobile phone charger adapters mounted on it - a nice free perk.
 Auckland Air New Zealand Koru Club |
There is a good selection of all the NZ newspapers on the stand on the far side of the inner area statue, with lots of copies of the NZ Herald, and occasionally a Sydney Morning Herald. At the far end of the inner area (the old business centre) there is also a small cinema area, with a large wide screen TV.
Food, has gone downhill lately, and isn't actually as good as in the domestic lounge (or even as good as in Sydney). The food changes 3 times a day, with the best selection at breakfast, when there are scones & clotted cream. By lunchtime there are just a few olives, gherkins, a very bad hummus, some cheese (3 types, with edam in odd red squares sliced into slivers) cold beef, and a pretty good pate. Scones and cream make a brief reapperance at teatime, while in the evening there are hot dishes.
Auckland old 1st area |
The bar is much better, with some decent Kiwi sparklers and two whites. The beer fridge is a real delight, having a vast array of everything from DB Export Gold, to Steinlarger, Monteith's dark, and Becks. On the main part of the bar there is (in free pour bottles) Bacardi, Jim Beam, Coruma rum, Grants Whisky, and Bacardi, along with two red wines.
There are bathrooms with OK showers in the lounge, and there is also a spa, however only genuine business class passengers with a long haul flight (not Tasman or Pacific islands) are permitted. The Spa shuts in the middle of the day, and even when it's open, the options are limmited.
Christchurch Koru Club |
Christchurch Business Centre |
True, the décor is pure generic Koru lounge in a lovely shade of green, but it is certainly far better than hanging around in the very poor terminal building downstairs.
There is a good selection of current NZ newspapers on the stand by the main door, with lots of copies of the NZ Herald, and there is a small Business Centre which has two pretty fast internet computers, with a printer, photocopier and fax. In a small room at the back there is also a large wide screen TV.
Christchurch bar & buffet area |
The bar is very good indeed, having 13 different beers on offer, from Speights Gold to Steinlager, DB Gold, and Becks. Also in the fridge are three whites, and a sparkling wine. To the left of the coke dispenser there are 9 free pour spirits, and two bottles of red. There is a good Cappochino & Latte machine, along with separate pot of coffee boiling away on the table in the middle of the lounge.
Christchurch Business Centre |
However the main perk of this lounge is the Food, which changes 3 times a day. If you time it right, you can munch from both selections. At breakfast time (to 10am) there is plenty of muesli and other cerials, plus large bowls of fruit. There are 3 individual ones with Bananas, Apples, and Kiwis. There are even scones with clotted cream & strawberry jam. Lunch is the best, with lots of bowls of pasta and salad, as well as plenty of ham and cheese. Occasionally sushi appears for the late afternoon (from 5pm). Full metal cutlery is available.
Brisbane Air NewZealand Lounge |
Brisbane newspaper stand |
There are two stands with newspapers. Magazines are on the left of the main door, while the papers are further in on the far stand, although the offerings here are rather poor; with just a few Australians, Courier-Mails and in the afternoon some New Zealand Heralds. You have to race to get the newspapers quickly, before they all vanish (and many people take them onto flights). There is also a small business centre, at the far end and then turn left through the arch. In the bathroom there is a shower: ignore the signs in there that seem to suggest there is a cupboard with towels: you actually have to ask at reception.
Brisbane the bar |
However the bar is on the left hand side, on the wall as you go in. The beer fridge offers an OK seleciton, including DB Export Gold, Steinlager, Crown, VB, and XXXX Gold. There are 11 bottles of free pour spirits, including Jim Beam, Red Label, Baileys, and Bundy Rum.
Brisbane breakfast |
There is some pretty decent coffee too. On the two wooden pods in the middle of the room there is a latte machine, along with two boiling pots of coffee. Above these are some very basic Ikea mugs.
 Sydney Air New Zealand business lounge with the main bar area behind |
 Sydney Air NewZealand lounge old first bar area |
The lounge has recently changed, moving the reception into the main part of the lounge, and abandoning the old split between First and Business class (now that Air NZ no longer has a First class), which means that the old First area and bathrooms, on the right, are now a decent, quiet sub-lounge, but open to all. Indeed, not many people seem to know it's there, and if you go through to the right you get much more comfortable armchairs and a much less busy bar. There is a raised dining area here, and also a couple of computers. Further around the corner are four large bathrooms with showers. It's rare for there to be a queue here.
| >> More details of the Sydney Air New Zealand koru club lounge |
| Including larger pictures. |
The main part of the lounge is a big long room, having dark wood, squashy armchairs, and a subdued hush; although if you visit at a busy time, such as 8am when there are three flights leaving to New Zealand, and the lounge is being used by other subcontracted airlines, the hush tends to be replaced by rather more organised chaos - and on occasions you may have problems finding a seat.
 Sydney Air New Zealand lounge old First area |
There is a bar area against the wall on the left and a food counter infront of it. The bar is very good, with a lovely sparking Jacob's Creek Chardonnay Pinot Noir Brut in the fridge. Other wines are from New Zealand, including Robinsons Malborough Savingnon Blanc, Dash Pino, and Broken Bay Chardonnay. The beer selection in the fridge is pretty comprehensive, with bottles of Steinlager, Hahn Premium, Hahn Light, Tooeys Extra Dry, and Konic wheat beer. On the worktop are a circle of free-pour spirits, with Karloff & 42 vodka, Bacardi, Bunderberg rum, Gin & Brandy.
 Sydney Air New Zealand lounge |
Food is equally good, starting in the morning with a cooked breakfast including sausages, tomatoes, and a strange cheese flan type thing that is very popular with the Kiwis. By lunchtime it is replaced by a lovely salad bar, with several different types of ham and cheese. There are deserts in the fridge, and at the end of a worktop there is a rare delight: a pancake making machine. Just press the button on the top, and put a plate on the right hand side, and a star shaped pancake pops out. Maple syrup is in the jug. Later in the day there also hotdogs.
Newspapers are spread on the top of the shelving units, and normally include a complete selection of all the Kiwi papers, plus the Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian, and the Financial Review.
There is a small business centre at the far end of the lounge, and in this there are just three computers which have free internet access. Suprisingly for a lounge, the computers work and are very fast, however it can be a bit of a fight to get on one, and it may be easier to get onto the ones in the old First Class lounge. There is free wifi.
Nadi (Fiji) Air NewZealand Lounge |
Nadi Air NewZealand bar |
To find the lounge walk straight on after security, past the duty free shop, behind the escalator, and it's to the right of the Air Fiji lounge (used by Qantas). You will be welcomed with a "Bula", and asked to take a seat. Grab one if you can find one - there are only 38 in the lounge, and when two 767s are due to leave the lounge can get packed. There is agressive Air Conditioning, an OK view of the apron (under the concrete balcony) and one TV.
Nadi (Fiji) Air NewZealand Lounge |
Nadi Air NewZealand food |
Food is at it's best at breakfast time when most of the flights depart. It's is your usual Kiwi healthy selection, with lots of muffins, cerial, and toast. There is Vegemite, marmalade & jam. At other times there are sandwiches and biscuits. However the sandwiches only seem to come out for some flights to New Zealand - and not for flights to the US (this is possibily because a lot of Kiwi's fly to & from Fiji, and these seems to be far less premium traffic from Fiji to LA).
Newspapers include the New Zealand Herald and lots of copies of the Bulletin & Women's Weekly. There are two business booths, one with a fax machine, and one with a telephone. There are no computers - you have to nip upstairs to the coin-in-the-slot internet machine. There is one shower but it's pretty decrepid, with a mouldy tray and curtains.
 Rarotonga Air New Zealand Koru Club. Tiny, init? |
 Rarotonga Air New Zealand Koru Club food |
The lounge is so small, there is nowhere for the staff to sit and check your boarding pass: as a result you may find the lounge ungarded, or more likely there is a dragon standing there, who has to take any frequent flier cards other than a Koru club one out to the checkin desk to make sure it's valid.
There is just one small food counter, but what food... normally there are some ham and pineapple rolls (in contexts it does work - really!) plus lots of good Kiwi cheeses on salad, and a tray of fruit with melon and grapefruit, plus a basket of apples and grapes. Crackers are beside the cheese, while in the fridge you'll find more cheese (Aussie Tasty) and yoghurts.
 Rarotonga Air New Zealand Koru Club bar counter |
The fridge beside the counter has quite a well stocked bar, with mini bottles of wine and Kiwi sparklers, plus bottles of Heiniken and DB export Gold beer. There are cans of coke and sprite, plus tonic water. On the counter are plenty of bottles of spirits, with Absolut Vodka, Gin, Rum, and VSOP, beside and ice bucket. Above these are mini bottles of red.
There are normally a couple of copies of the New Zealand Herald kicking about in the lounge, plus a TV screen on the wall, but that's it for entertainment. Toilets are inside the lounge behind the door in the far wall. There is no chance of missing your flight in the lounge: announcements of the day's departures are shouted out by the staff, but make sure you rush out when they are called, otherwise you'll end up in a queue with all the economy passengers.
 London LHR Star Alliance lounge used by Air New Zealand |
The lounge is very large, but rather dull. As the Air New Zealand flights leave quite late in the day using this lounge, you can feel rather lonely sitting there as the cleaners hussle you out in time for the 9pm flight. Food is pretty good, with a hot option available for the Air New Zealand flight so you can eat in the lounge before getting on board. Food is often curry, with salads and sandwiches also available.
 London LHR Star Alliance lounge used by Air New Zealand |
There is just one type of white, two types of red, and a rose wine. Most of these are pretty cheap and nasty versions. There is a beer pump for Grolsh, and - rare for a lounge - Magners cider in bottles in the fridge, along with bottles of Becks and cans of Guinness.
There are showers in the lounge, and free Wifi, but no computers.
Full details of this lounge are contained in the bmi pages, under the Joint Star Alliance LHR Lounge section.
Christchurch Air NewZealand flight to Queenstown |
Boeing 747-400 old style Business Class |
One of these is preserved in TEAL colours at the Museum of Transport and Technology, in Auckland. In 1953 it was nationalised, with the Oz & NZ government each taking half. By 1965 the Kiwi's owned it all, and the airline was renamed Air New Zealand, which bought it's first DC-8 jets. These started flying to Los Angeles via Nadi and Honolulu.
In 1979 a DC-10 sightseeing flight crashed into Mount Erebus in Antarctica, which killed all 237 passengers and 20 crew members on board. By 1981 the airline was flying 747s, followed by direct flights to the UK. In 1989 Air New Zealand was privatised. By 1990, follow a backtrack on allowing New Zealand carriers unlimited access to the Australian market, the airline bought half of Ansett Australia. A low-cost subsidiary, Freedom Air, began operations in 1996, and by 1998 the airline sold all its 747-200 aircraft to Virgin Atlantic, then joined the Star Alliance.
Boeing 747-400 old Business Class IFE |
In 2000 Air New Zealand bought the remaining half of Ansett for a very high price of A$680m. Lack of maintenance to its 767 fleet meant that one day before the busy Easter holiday period in 2001, all 10 of Ansett's 767s were grounded. Hemoraging cash, by September 2001 Air New Zealand offered to sell Ansett to Qantas for A$1. Qantas declined, and Air New Zealand placed Ansett into voluntary administration.
Auckland Air NewZealand International Lounge, before it's revamp in 2008. thankfully the statue has gone. |
To save cash Air NewZealand reconfigured its domestic operations as a lower-cost airline, doing away with business class and meals on most domestic flights, and in 2003 extended the low-cost domestic Express concept to trans-Tasman routes. This was once again abandoned in 2008.
To start with, make sure you are an Airpoints frequent flyer, and you do fly frequently: after all, if Air New Zealand are going to upgrade anyone, they will upgrade those passengers who fly with them pretty regularly, and hence will enjoy the upgrade enough to put more business Air New Zealand's way. Then if the flight is full in economy, and someone needs to be moved up, the check in staff will first look at Gold Elite members, and then Gold Airpoints, and finally Silver level, and then at other Star Alliance members at the equivalent levels (Gold, then Silver). Another thing that Air New Zealand look at is how much you paid for your ticket: it's much more likely to happen with a full fare ticket (although occasionally you can get lucky with a discounted economy ticket).
As always, my advice on dressing properly in the pages on how to get an upgrade applies.
Air New Zealand Boeing 767 and 747 at Auckland |
Main Website: www.airnewzealand.co.nz
UK version: www.airnewzealand.co.uk
Air New Zealand inflight Entertainment
Air New Zealand Baggage Allowance
Air New Zealand Baggage Seatmaps
Lounge directory
Christchurch a domestic flight takes off |
Note that all reviews and opinions on Air New Zealand, (NZ) food, service, seats, planes, upgrades, lounges, the Koru Club, and the Frequent Flyer scheme is soley at my judgement. No legal liability is accepted if you take my advice.