More choice and greater flexibility: Air New Zealand unveils new short haul booking options
The airline has today announced changes to its Seats to Suit offering from June, including a new suite of booking options for travelling between New Zealand and the Tasman or Pacific Islands.
Air New Zealand General Manager Short Haul Jeremy O'Brien says the airline knows customers value the Air New Zealand experience and want choice and flexibility when they fly, so the improved and simplified fare options are designed to give customers just that.
"We want every customer to have an exceptional experience onboard. Part of our promise is to provide manaaki to all who fly with us so we're excited that everyone onboard will now be treated to full in-flight entertainment. Seat-only customers will now also be offered one of our incredible new snack options too.
"Works customers will continue to receive the same great inclusions currently on offer including one checked bag, a full meal and drinks, entertainment and free standard seat selection.
"Our customers have told us affordable flexibility is important, especially for many of our frequent fliers, so we're introducing a new fully flexible and refundable fare option in each cabin.
"The new Seats to Suit updates are based on customer feedback and changes our passengers were looking for. We're excited to make these a reality for those jumping onboard for short haul international travel and can't wait to see them introduced in June."
The changes will see the following fare types available:
- seat
- theworks
- worksflexi
- premiumeconomy
- premiumflexi
- businesspremier
- businessflexi
Key changes to the Seats to Suit include:
- All customers will now have access to the full inflight entertainment offering, snack or a meal, tea, coffee, water and juice
- New flexibility fares include worksflexi, premiumflexi or businessflexi allowing customers to have peace of mind while traveling with a fully flexible* and refundable fare option
- The seat+bag product will be discontinued, however going forward customers who purchase a seat fare will be able to add one bag for $30
- Now that everyone receives a snack or a meal, the purchasing of inflight bites on board will be discontinued. Customers will still be able to purchase a range of beverages
- Customers will no longer be able to purchase vouchers at the airport to buy items onboard. All transactions will take place inflight and customers will need a Visa, Mastercard, or Amex card or they can use Airpoints
The refreshed Seats to Suit offering will be live from 11 June 2024 for new bookings on flights between New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands.
*Change fee is waived, fare difference will apply.
Ends
Issued by Air New Zealand Communications
Email: media@airnz.co.nz | Phone: +64 21 747 320
About Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand's story started in 1940, first taking to the skies between Auckland and Sydney on a flying boat - a Short S30. Known for its warm Kiwi hospitality, today, the airline has 104 operating aircraft ranging from Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A320s to ATRs and Q300s, offering customers comfort in the latest most efficient jets and turboprops. It's a modern fuel-efficient fleet with an average age of 7.3 years. Air New Zealand's global network of passenger and cargo services centres around New Zealand. Pre-Covid, the airline flew more than 17 million passengers every year, with 3,400 flights per week. Air New Zealand was recently named the World's Safest Airline by the Australian rating service AirlineRatings.com, highlighting the airline's laser-focus on safety. Last year, Air New Zealand won Best Corporate Reputation in New Zealand – 8th year in a row.
Air New Zealand has a well-connected domestic business, connecting customers and cargo to 20 different regions around New Zealand. Internationally, the airline has direct flights to major cities across Australia, Asia, the Pacific Islands and the US, and through its strong relationships with alliance partners, offers customers more choice and convenience to connect further afield to hundreds of destinations. Air New Zealand has a particular focus on sustainability and its Sustainability Framework helps guide the airline's efforts in tackling some of New Zealand's and the world's most complex challenges. Air New Zealand aircraft are proudly identified by its distinct tail livery of the Mangōpare, the Māori symbol of the hammerhead shark which represents strength, tenacity, and resilience.
About Star Alliance
Air New Zealand is proud to be a member of Star Alliance. The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer worldwide reach, recognition and seamless service to the international traveller. Its acceptance by the market has been recognized by numerous awards, including the Air Transport World Market Leadership Award and Best Airline Alliance by both Business Traveller Magazine and Skytrax. The member airlines are: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI and United. Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers more than 18,500 daily flights to 1,321 airports in 193 countries.