Capacity reductions and flight changes
Capacity reductions and flight changes
The global situation is changing at a rapid pace, so we're adapting our operations as fast as we can. Our Travel alerts page is the best place to check what's happening.
NZ domestic flight schedules
We are continuing to operate a limited domestic schedule to enable essential travel only and to keep air freight moving.
Please check that you qualify to travel under the essential services list before you book your ticket or go to the airport. We are doing everything we can to help get New Zealanders and our customers home.
The airline's domestic schedule while the country is at Alert Level 4 is as follows:
New Zealand services | (per week) |
Auckland-Christchurch | Three return services - Monday-Friday
One return service - Saturday/Sunday |
Auckland-Wellington | One return service - Monday-Sunday |
Wellington-Christchurch | Two return services - Monday-Friday
One return service - Saturday/Sunday |
Wellington-Nelson | One return service - Monday-Friday |
Christchurch-Dunedin | One return service - Monday & Friday |
Our New Zealand domestic schedule will update when we move to Alert Level 3 on Tuesday 28 April.
International Route Changes
Due to the deep impact of COVID-19 on forward travel demand we have made the following changes to our International Route network across the following services:
- Auckland-Buenos Aires flights, that are currently suspended to 30th June, will not resume operation
- Los Angeles-London flights will not be resumed which will see us exiting this route earlier than the planned month of October 2020
- The non-stop Auckland-New York service will be postponed from October 2020 until late 2021 at the earliest
We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused and ask for your patience as we work through these changes with customers who are directly impacted. Our customer care team and contact centre will be contacting those affected by these travel changes with options over the week ahead.
Customers booked via a travel agent, including a third-party website (e.g. Expedia, Booking.com) should speak with their agent.
Air New Zealand is currently operating a limited international network through to 30 June to keep air links open for essential travel and cargo movement on key trade routes. Total capacity has been reduced to 95 percent of pre-COVID-19 levels and demand will be reviewed on a route-by-route basis before services are resumed.
International flight schedules
In response to government travel restrictions and low demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we earlier announced a limited international network through to 31 May, to keep air links open for essential travel and cargo movement on key trade routes.
This schedule will now continue through to 30 June 2020.
Domestic services into Auckland continue to be scheduled to allow travellers to connect onto Tasman and Pacific routes.
Please note: All other Domestic air travel within New Zealand is only permitted for essential workers relating to the response function for COVID-19 and emergency and essential services.
The airline's international schedule through to 30 June 2020 will be as follows:
Australia services | (per week) |
Auckland-Sydney | Three return services |
Auckland-Brisbane | Two return services |
Auckland-Melbourne | Two return services |
Long haul services | (per week) |
Auckland-Los Angeles | Three return services |
Auckland-Hong Kong | Two return services |
Auckland-Shanghai | Three return services from 31 May |
All services are subject to change as governments continue to introduce or change travel and border restrictions.
Physical distancing between customers
We are working to support government guidance around social distancing by allocating seating to allow additional space around customers where possible. We recognise there will be a need to keep families and some travelling companions together and will continue to support this wherever possible. We also ask that customers follow crew instructions when onboard our aircraft.
Changes to inflight services
More than ever, we're focussed on the health and safety of our people and passengers. We're therefore making temporary changes to our service offering on board.
These changes have been made to keep our crew and customers safe and provide a simplified plan for our catering partners, who are also working with reduced resources.
We will continue to provide special meals. Please request them when you book, as normal.
NZ domestic flights:
- No Koru hour
- No inflight drinks and snack service
- Water and lollies are still available
Australia and Pacific flights:
- We won't be serving snacks from the inflightbites menu
Other international flights:
- When you fly businesspremierâ„¢ we will serve a simplified version of our menu that is delivered on a single service tray. This reduces movement and contact in the cabin, but you will still be enjoying businesspremier quality dining
- We have paused parts of our service which increase interactions between crew and customers, such as the offering of a hot towel or pre-take off drinks from a tray in the cabin
Children travelling alone
As a result of the impact of COVID-19, until further notice, we will not currently be accepting children travelling alone for international or NZ domestic travel.