October 13, 2021| 490 0

Air New Zealand transforms 787 Dreamliner into a COVID-19 vaccination clinic

Are you interested in taking a tour of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in exchange for a COVID-19 jab? Air New Zealand is offering just that as an incentive to encourage people living in Auckland to get vaccinated.  The ‘Jabaseat’ flight at Auckland Airport (AKL) takes place on October 16, 2021, a date dubbed ‘Super Saturday’ by the New Zealand government, which has announced a day of vaccination events to boost take-up of the jab.   New Zealand’s borders have been closed since March 2020, as part of a strategy to keep COVID-19 out entirely. However, with the Delta variant having got through, lockdown measures were re-imposed and the government has switched its focus to driving vaccination rates.   “In addition to a behind-the-scenes glimpse of an aircraft hangar, visitors will tour Business Premier, enjoy free inflight snacks and receive a special boarding pass to commemorate the moment,” Air New Zealand announced on October 13 in a social media post.  The ‘passengers’ will board through the front door and receive their Pfizer vaccine in the plane’s business class section before exiting via economy class. Air New Zealand has stated that face masks and physical distancing are mandatory.   Aucklander Lauren Tinsley, studying for her private pilot’s license (PPL), is among those who snapped up the chance to receive a vaccination on board the Air New Zealand plane.  “I had a booking in a few weeks to get my second jab but I am absolutely made up that I managed to secure a spot on Saturday instead,” the student, originally from Britain, tells AeroTime. “Under Level 3 restrictions, my flight training is on pause and I haven’t been on a wide-body jet in nearly two years, so I am really looking forward to this.”  On October 3, 2021, Air New Zealand announced that, as of February 2022, it will require passengers traveling on its international network to be fully vaccinated. According to data from New Zealand’s Ministry of Health, 80% of Kiwis aged 12 and over have had their first jab, while 57% are fully vaccinated. 

August 5, 2021| 490 0

Air New Zealand launches year-round service from Sunshine Coast to Auckland

Air New Zealand has launched a direct service between Sunshine Coast and Auckland as part of the recommencement of quarantine-free trans-Tasman bubble arrangements between New Zealand and Queensland. Sunshine Coast Airport celebrated with a spectacular cake, winning anna. aero’s prestigious Cake of the Week prize. The stunning route launch cake was …

May 6, 2021| 429 0

BREAKING: NEW ZEALAND SUSPENDS BUBBLE TO NSW

New Zealand will suspend the trans-Tasman bubble to NSW for two days starting on Friday. The country’s COVID response minister, Chris Hipkins, said it wasn’t a decision taken lightly, and New Zealand could lift the temporary ban early depending on how the situation plays out. “We will keep that under constant review during that time,” said …

April 18, 2021| 439 0

EXPLAINED: HOW NEW ZEALAND WILL PAUSE BUBBLE FOR COVID

Monday’s opening of the two-way, trans-Tasman bubble marks one of the most significant moments for the industry since the start of the COVID crisis, with international travel now back on for our most popular overseas destination. But, perhaps sensibly, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also outlined what would happen should COVID outbreaks o …

April 13, 2021| 484 0

Trans-Tasman Flight Corridor Led To 1570% Increase In Bookings

An online travel agency is enjoying a massive boost in bookings between Australia and New Zealand following the announcement of a travel bubble opening between the two countries. On the day New Zealand agreed to the travel bubble, trans-Tasman bookings surged 1570% on Skyscanner. That is great news for Skyscanner. The caveat is, there was barely an …

April 11, 2021| 438 0

AIR NEW ZEALAND TO LAUNCH REVIVED AUCKLAND–HOBART ON 22 APRIL

Air New Zealand has confirmed it will operate flights between Auckland and Hobart for the first time in a generation from 22 April. The airline earlier said the route would restart as soon as the trans-Tasman bubble opened and has now revealed the flights will depart on Thursdays and Sundays using its A320 fleet. It comes after New Zealand Prime Mini …

March 20, 2021| 456 0

REVIVED AUCKLAND–HOBART WILL BEGIN WHEN TRANS-TASMAN BUBBLE OPENS

Air New Zealand will operate flights between Auckland and Hobart for the first time in a generation as soon as a two-way trans-Tasman bubble starts.  The announcement was made amid speculation quarantine-free travel between the two countries could surprisingly restart in as little as three weeks.  It comes after Australian Prime Minister Scott M …

February 15, 2021| 483 0

Air New Zealand Adjusts Services As Auckland Goes On Lockdown

New Zealand’s biggest city, Auckland, is in the middle of a three-day lockdown after three locally acquired cases of COVID-19 popped up over the weekend. And that’s had the local airline, Air New Zealand, scrambling to adjust its services and stay in the air. “While the country is at elevated Alert Levels, Air New Zealand will be taking extra preca …

January 28, 2021| 411 0

New Zealand Could Pull Australia Travel Bubble

There’s more uncertainty for airlines flying across the Tasman Sea. The long-awaited two-way travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand is potentially under a cloud. The uncertainty is caused by a cocktail of internal border issues within Australia, a small COVID-19 outbreak (now contained) in Sydney over the New Year period, and a New Zealand …

January 20, 2021| 377 0

Air New Zealand Outlines Network Plan Until July

Air New Zealand is extending its current pared-back international timetable until the middle of 2021. Despite ongoing travel restrictions and low passenger demand, Air New Zealand is keeping air links open on vital passenger and cargo corridors. But on many routes, there will be just one return service a week. “We understand these are very uncertain …

January 6, 2021| 492 0

AIR NEW ZEALAND CREW OVERNIGHT IN HAWAII TO STOP COVID LEAKAGE

Air New Zealand crew flying to LA and San Francisco will now overnight in Hawaii in a bid to reduce COVID infection. The move comes amid rising cases worldwide and concerns that airline employees could inadvertently bring the virus into New Zealand, which has virtually eliminated the pandemic. Chief executive Greg Foran said his teams worked “th …

December 27, 2020| 437 0

Air New Zealand’s Fleet In 2020

Air New Zealand has a fleet of over 60 jet aircraft and another 50 turboprop aircraft, with several more on order. The airline has some big plans with Boeing 787-10s on order. For now, however, it is ending 2020 with a pretty stagnant fleet composition compared to pre-crisis, though one set of aircraft is likely never to fly again– barring any majo …

Go Top
Open chat
Hi,
How may I help you?