LONDON – Air New Zealand is to upgrade its passenger services on its trans-Tasman service to Perth, Western Australia, as well as flights to Pacific neighbours in Tahiti and Honolulu.

Commencing from 30 October, all new Economy bookings made on Air New Zealand’s Tahiti, Perth and Honolulu services will enjoy a full-inflight service offering, including meal, in-flight entertainment and baggage allowances.

The proposed upgrades come as the New Zealand airline makes moves to further lift its customer proposition. At the same time, the airline has planned to wet lease a chartered A330 aircraft to support it’s Auckland to Perth services across the upcoming summer peak season.

Customer research

Air New Zealand General Manager Short Haul Airline, Jeremy O’Brien says these changes came out of research done to understand what the airline’s customers value on its longer flights.

“From talking with customers we’ve heard loud and clear there’s a need for a consistent Air New Zealand experience, so the changes to our Seats to Suit product have been made to enhance the customer experience.

“The majority of our customers on these services already purchase The Works, with only around 5% of customers buying just a seat fare.”

“Ensuring everyone can enjoy a meal from our delicious new menu gives an overall better onboard experience and streamlines the process for our crew and customers.

“As for Honolulu, moving this service to our Longhaul offering brings it in line with our other North American destinations so customers will now be able to choose between Economy, Premium Economy and Business Premier on these flights.”

What’s changing?

The airline has laid out its proposed changes as follows:

Perth and Tahiti

• From 20 October, Seat and Seat+bag fares will no longer be available to be booked on flights departing after 30 October.
• Customers will now be able to choose between The Works (Economy), Premium Economy and Business Premier.
• During the transition period, customers who have purchased a Seat or Seat+bag prior to 20 October, will receive a full meal and beverage service and Inflight Entertainment if travelling post 30 October.
• Original ticketed baggage allowance, Airpoints Dollars and Status Points accrual will apply to existing tickets.

Honolulu

• From 30 October, Honolulu flights will move to a full-service offering.
• Customers can choose between Economy, Premium Economy and Business Premier on these flights.
• During the transition period, customers who have purchased a seat, Seat+bag or The Works will automatically receive our full-service Economy offering.
• Original ticketed baggage allowance, Airpoints Dollars and Status Points accrual will apply to existing tickets.

Chartered aircraft to support Perth flights

The airline’s news of flight upgrades follows the news that the carrier is proposing to wet lease a 280 seat Airbus A330-200 aircraft and crew to support the daily Auckland to Perth services across the upcoming southern hemisphere summer season.

The Spanish charter airline operator Wamos Air is set to operate the trans-Tasman flight from November 15, 2022 through the summer period to February 16, 2023.

The move by Air New Zealand appears to be a short-term proposal to accommodate the surge in demand which has followed the pandemic ‘lay-off’ period.