About Air New Zealand

A Great Flying Experience with Kiwi Hospitality

Air New Zealand was founded in 1940, when it began as Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL), with the company using flying boats for trans-Tasman flights between Australia and New Zealand. In 1965, TEAL became Air New Zealand Ltd and with the advent of the jet era, services expanded to Asia and North America. Later, in 1978, the company joined with the National Airways Corporation, which was responsible for domestic operations within New Zealand, to form New Zealand's carrier airline, providing domestic and international flights.

The company experienced a period of expansion from 2005, following the acquisition of new Boeing aircraft. These larger aircraft enabled the airline to increase the number of flights on their existing network, as well as add new routes. The company's focus also turned to the customer experience, with the aim to enhance comfort, particularly on long-haul flights. The kiwi-designed Skycouch, available on flights between London, LA and Auckland, helps to achieve this aim.

Today, in addition to domestic flights and short-haul flights around Australia and the South Pacific, the airline currently flies between its hub in Auckland and 3 US gateways; Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Honolulu. Air New Zealand also operates flights between Los Angeles and London, as well as between Los Angeles and several Polynesian destinations along its "Coral Route" including Papeete (Tahiti), Nadi (Fiji), Apia (Samoa), and Tongatapu (Tonga). Beyond New Zealand and Polynesia, Air NZ also offers service to several Australian cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Perth, and Adelaide. In addition to the economy and business class cabins offered on all flights, passengers can hop on the airline's nonstop flights between Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Auckland, as well as between Los Angeles and London.

Flying with Air New Zealand

On international flights, three comfortable classes are available: Economy, Premium Economy and Business Premier. Tasty in-flight meals made from fresh ingredients are served with premium New Zealand wines in all classes, while Premium Economy offers the supreme comfort of leather seats and increased legroom. For the ultimate in luxury, you can choose Business Premier, where your seat converts to a lie-flat bed. Come and experience air travel comfort combined with kiwi hospitality.

Air New Zealand offers a loyalty program, where you can earn Airpoints dollars to spend on flights, rental cars and upgrades.

Practical Information

Check-in: Final check-in time is 90 minutes before departure for most destinations and two hours before departure for flights to and from the USA. You can use the check-in counter or, if they are available, self-service kiosks. To save time at the airport, check in online and print your boarding pass at home or use the mobile app.

Luggage:

• For each checked-in bag, the length, width and height can add up to a maximum of 158 cm.
• The maximum weight of each bag is 23 kg.
• The number of checked-in bags depends on class: one bag in Economy, two in
  Premium Economy, and three in Business Premier.
• For more information visit Air New Zealand's Baggage.