Air NZ to offer snacks and full entertainment options to all customers on short-haul flights

Monday, 22 April 2024

Air New Zealand has unveiled its cabins of the future, but they won't roll out until 2024 (video published June 2022).

All passengers, including those in the cheapest seats, will be offered a snack and have access to the full entertainment offering on Air New Zealand flights to Australia and the Pacific Islands as part of changes to the airline’s short-haul booking options.

Taking effect from June 11, the changes, which apply to new bookings, will also enable travellers to book fully flexible and refundable fares across all cabins.

Air New Zealand general manager short-haul, Jeremy O’Brien, said the “improved and simplified” fare options are designed to give passengers more choice and flexibility when booking.

“We want every customer to have an exceptional experience on board. Part of our promise is to provide manaaki to all who fly with us so we’re excited that everyone on board will now be treated to full in-flight entertainment.

“Seat-only customers will now also be offered one of our incredible new snack options too.”

They will not, however, be given a full meal.

All passengers on Air NZ flights to Australia and the Pacific Islands will have full access to in-flight entertainment and receive a snack.

Air New Zealand will stop offering seat and bag fares, but those with a seat-only ticket will be able to bring a bag for an extra $30.

Customers with ‘works’ tickets, which cost $40 more than seat-only fares, will continue to have the same inclusions: one checked bag, a full meal and drinks, entertainment and free standard seat selection.

The new fully flexible and refundable fares will be known as ‘worksflexi’ for economy seats, ‘premiumflexi’ for premium economy, and ‘businessflex’ for business premier. ‘Fully flexible’ means that change fees are waived, although a fare difference may apply.

Worksflexi fares will cost $60 more than standard works fares, premiumflexi fares will cost $80 more than standard premium economy, and businessflexi fares will cost $120 more than standard business premier.

This should make it considerably cheaper to upgrade to flexible fares. For example, a works customer travelling from Auckland to Sydney in May would currently need to pay $375 to make it a flexible booking. Compare that to the $60 it will cost from June 11.

“By providing our new flexible fares across all cabins, we’ve made it more affordable for those who value having that piece of mind at the time they book,” O’Brien said. “We think it will be a game changer to give customers the confidence to book early and lock in the best fares.”

Given all customers will be offered a snack or meal, customers will no longer be able to purchase food on board. However, drinks will still be available for purchase.

Customers will need to use a credit card - specifically a Visa, Mastercard or Amex - or Airpoints to make on-board purchases as vouchers for on-board purchases will no longer be available at airports.

An Air New Zealand spokesperson said the airline is always reviewing its pricing, which is based on factors such as demand, aircraft type, costs and flight length.