Air New Zealand Extends Credits, Sets SAF Delivery

Air New Zealand is extending the expiration date on all credits, the carrier announced Friday. Customers who have credit as of Sept. 30, 2022, now have until Jan. 31, 2024, to book a new flight and until Dec. 31, 2024, to take that flight. Any credits issued from Oct. 1 will be valid for 12 months to book a new flight and a further 12 months to travel, according to the carrier.

“By the end of October, we will have all 29 international ports up and running, including our new service to New York, and over the New Zealand summer, we’ll be back at 80 percent of our pre-Covid international capacity,” Air New Zealand chief customer and sales officer Leanne Geraghty said in a statement. The carrier's first direct Auckland-New York City service launched Friday. 

In addition, Air New Zealand plans to receive its first delivery of sustainable aviation fuel next week, the carrier announced. The 1.2 million liters (317,000 gallons) produced by Neste and imported in partnership with Z Energy, will be used to “help test and set up the supply chain for importing SAF into New Zealand.” 

The SAF will be put into the fuel system at Marsden Point, then make its way to Auckland Airport and be delivered to Air New Zealand through the regular jet fuel supply chain. The availability of SAF currently is limited, but the carrier expects its fleet to be fueled by 10 percent SAF by 2030.

Upcoming Cabin Upgrades

Air New Zealand expects in 2024 to receive eight Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, upon which it plans to offer some cabin upgrades. 

Business Premier Luxe will have the same features as Business Premier, but with a fully closing door and space for two to dine, according to the carrier. A new Premium Economy seat will offer more privacy and protected space. The aircraft also will include full-length sleeping pods dubbed Skynest in Economy. Regular Economy seats will be designed with more storage and space, plus a 50-percent larger screen for entertainment.

The Dreamliners scheduled to arrive in 2024 and retrofitted current 787-9 fleet will have either four or eight business Premier Luxe seats, 22 or 42 Business Premier seats, 33 or 52 Premium Economy seats, 213 or 125 Economy seats, and the ultra-longhaul aircraft will include six Skynest sleep pods, according to Air New Zealand.