February 16, 2025
Penguins, Pilot Cadets and Passengers: Air New Zealand’s 2024 in Review

Penguins, Pilot Cadets and Passengers: Air New Zealand’s 2024 in Review

Air New Zealand concluded an exceptional year, serving an impressive 16.2 million customers across 171,605 flights in 2024.
Tailfins of Air New Zealand aircraft.
Photo Credit: Air New Zealand.

Air New Zealand concluded an exceptional 2024, serving an impressive 16.2 million customers across 171,605 flights.

Looking back on this milestone year, CEO Greg Foran expressed deep gratitude to both passengers and staff, highlighting the airline’s resilience and achievements despite industry challenges.

“Our dedicated team of Air New Zealanders demonstrated extraordinary commitment throughout 2024, particularly while navigating complex challenges like engine availability issues,” Foran explained.

“We’re especially excited about our fleet enhancement program, beginning with the comprehensive interior retrofit of our first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in Singapore. These sophisticated new cabins, set to debut in 2025, represent our ongoing commitment to elevating the passenger experience.”

An Air New Zealand 787 in flight.

Notable Achievements and Growth


The airline’s creative approach to safety communications continued to resonate globally. The airline’s 23rd safety video “Every Point Counts” became a viral sensation.

The video, featuring beloved Kiwi basketball star Steven Adams, accumulated an impressive 30.4 million views worldwide. It set new benchmarks for airline safety communication.

Air New Zealand’s loyalty program also witnessed unprecedented growth across the year. 2024 saw Airpoints membership expanding by 414,000 to reach a total of 4.8 million members.

The program’s success was further evidenced by robust activity in the Airpoints Store. Here, nearly 300,000 items found new homes, with the Huski Beer Cooler emerging as the standout favorite among members.

The Mangōpare Air New Zealand Pilot Cadetship received more than 2000 applications for its inaugural intake. Following the initial phase, 30 cadets selected to begin their training journey.

Operational Performance and Customer Service


Travel patterns revealed interesting trends, with the Auckland-Sydney route maintaining its position as the preferred short-haul destination, while Singapore led long-haul preferences from Auckland.

Responding to growing demand, the airline strategically expanded its Bali service to a year-round schedule, enhancing connectivity to this popular destination.

The introduction of Live Chat technology transformed customer service operations, facilitating over 265,000 meaningful customer engagements throughout the year.

This digital innovation complemented the airline’s traditional service channels, providing passengers with more flexible communication options.

Behind the Scenes Operations


The airline’s engineering excellence was demonstrated through 1.2 million hours of meticulous fleet maintenance, including 88 complex engine changes that ensured continued safe operations.

The cargo division handled an impressive 130.9 million kilograms of freight, with fresh produce, meat, and seafood forming the bulk of shipments.

Animal transportation became a notable highlight, with the airline safely carrying 19,444 creatures, ranging from household pets to exotic wildlife.

This included 9,148 dogs, 4,369 cats, and various native species such as kiwis, penguins, and a special kea, alongside two Tasmanian devils making their trans-Tasman journey.

Photo Credits: Air New Zealand

The Onboard Travel Experience


In-flight service reached new heights with 5.7 million meals served on flights departing New Zealand. Passengers enjoyed 3.8 million cookies and 17.5 million signature Air New Zealand lollies. This included a festive new candy cane-flavored variety introduced for the holiday season.

Window seats maintained their popularity across the fleet, with seat 2A emerging as the most sought-after position. The exception was on the domestic ATR-72 aircraft where 16A took the lead due to its unique boarding configuration.

International travelers typically spent 106 minutes in airport lounges, where mango chili margaritas and espresso martinis topped the beverage preferences.

Looking Ahead


As Air New Zealand approaches its significant 85th anniversary milestone in April 2025, Foran concluded by reinforcing the airline’s enduring mission.

“Our commitment to connecting New Zealanders with each other and showcasing our nation to the world remains stronger than ever. We’re excited to build upon our rich legacy and achieve even greater milestones in the years ahead.”

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