Book Cheap Flights with Air New Zealand

In April of 1940, a grassroots airline called Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL) started a flying boat service between New Zealand and Australia. Through the years following the war, TEAL initiated the famous “Coral Route” from Auckland via Fiji and the Cook Islands to Tahiti in December 1951, flying a MK III Solent flying boat named Aparima. As their experience grew, ever longer international flights broadened their horizons from the Pacific to Asia, then the United States, Great Britain, and Europe.

Meanwhile, in 1947, the National Airways Corporation (NAC) began domestic airline service between the major cities and provincial areas of New Zealand with piston and propeller-driven aircraft such as the DC3. Not until 1965 did the first jet passenger plane, the DC-8, arrive in New Zealand, and not until 1968 did NAC first employ a Boeing 737 jet for domestic flights.

When TEAL and NAC merged in April 1978 to form Air New Zealand, they merged their international and domestic experiences to form the first New Zealand airline to offer both services. With the continued expansion of their routes, particularly into Asia and soon into China, and with their continued fleet renewal with Airbus A320s and Boeing 777s and 787s, Air New Zealand’s service has never been better than it is today.

Beginning in November 2002, Air New Zealand retailored their business model to provide their clientele with a uniquely Kiwi experience even before their arrival on the islands. The new Air New Zealand experience includes easier booking, Internet sales, lower fares, and an improved frequent flyer programme. This programme, Airpoint Dollars, awards points that can be used similar to cash, to book any flight, at any time, anywhere Air New Zealand flies. Air New Zealand is also a full member of the Star Alliance group.

Air New Zealand is concerned about the global environment and made a conscious commitment to the future of the planet with their new image. The Boeing 777 is among the most fuel efficient aircraft available; the next generation Boeing 787, expected in 2010, will be even stingier with jet fuel, achieving an efficiency rating comparable to that of a compact car per passenger.

These improved jets have reduced greenhouse emissions by 58,000 tonnes since August 2004. Air New Zealand expects to prevent the release of another 58,000 tonnes in the next twelve months, and have already slashed their emissions by 70% per passenger kilometre. Other environmental goals include finding means of quieting jet engines by as much as 80%, establishing an Environmental Panel within our management staff, and participating in office paper recycling.