Airline Updates
Air New Zealand named Airline of the Year 2020
Air New Zealand has been named Airline of the Year 2020 by AirlineRatings.com. The panel of seven experts, who have more than 200 years of aviation experience between them, assess airlines on 12 key standards for the awards. This includes product offerings, customer reviews, environmental leadership, safety, fleet age and profitability.
Emirates embraces the Christmas spirit
Emirates is getting into the festive spirit and making Christmas extra special this year. With a selection of aviation-inspired gifts, there will be Christmas jumpers, pyjamas, baby bodysuits, cabin crew tree ornaments and more.
New menu on Cathay Pacific
With the help of the two Michelin Stars Hong Kong hospitality group Black Sheep Restaurants, Cathay Pacific has released a new economy menu. The menu will be available on flights from Hong Kong long-haul destinations, including New Zealand. The menu includes shredded chicken and cabbage salad with nouc cham dressing, a twist on the traditional Vietnamese goi ga salad, along with vegetarian options such as broccoli mac and cheese.
Air New Zealand brings Les Mills workouts to flights
Les Mills and Air New Zealand have collaborated to offer in-flight workout sessions for travellers on Air New Zealand flights. Passengers can access a series of stretches, exercises and meditation techniques on the inflight entertainment system. The workouts will be free to all customers as part of the inflight entertainment system. They will include adaptations for Economy and Business Premier seats.
Airport Updates
Air New Zealand opens new Auckland Regional Lounge
Located on Level 1 of the Auckland Airport domestic terminal, the new Auckland Regional lounge has recently opened. The new lounge will cater for up to 265 customers with three times the seating of the previous regional lounge space. The new area features five different zones including a café, bar and also a business and quiet area with most seats offering USB charging facilities.
Air New Zealand make changes to Fast Bag
Fast Bag enables Elite, Gold, Elite Partner and Koru members speed through regional travel by dropping off and picking up their bags right beside the aircraft on Air New Zealand local domestic flights. As of 1 February 2020, a new limit of one Fast Bag at 15kg will apply. Customers travelling with more bags, or a bag weighing more than 15kg (and no more than 23kg), will need to check these in normally.
Wellington Airport announces 2040 Masterplan
Wellington Airport has released a new masterplan showing how the airport will cater for a doubling in traveller numbers from 6.4 million today to the 12 million that are suspected to pass through every year by 2040. By 2040 the airport is expected to double its economic contribution to the region from $2.3 to $4.3 billion per year and facilitating more than 22,000 jobs.
Other Travel Updates
Novotel Christchurch Airport hotel is open
The new six-storeys, 200-room Novotel Christchurch Airport hotel, is officially open. The 4.5-star hotel has two restaurants and bars, conference facilities and a gym.
Uber loses the licence to operate in London
Uber will not be granted a new licence to operate in London after repeated safety failures. Despite having made several positive changes to its operations, it has been said that the taxi app was not fit to be a licence holder. Uber will appeal and can continue to operate during that process. London is one of Uber's top five markets globally, and it has about 45,000 drivers in the city.
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