Updates

Update on 11 February

Strike action by Air New Zealand international widebody cabin crew 

Air New Zealand is close to completing customer reaccommodation ahead of industrial action planned by its widebody cabin crew on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 February.

The airline has cancelled 46 widebody services across its long haul network, affecting around 9,500 customers.

By retiming flights and using the wider fleet, Air New Zealand has been able to protect the majority of its Tasman and Pacific services from cancellations.

The domestic and regional network will operate as normal.

 The airline will also fly some cargo-only services to keep Kiwi exporters connected.

 Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Digital Officer Jeremy O'Brien says the airline's priority is supporting customers through the disruption.

 "We have done everything possible to minimise the impact, and our teams have been working around the clock to reaccommodate customers whose flights are affected.

 "We are very sorry for the disruption to some customers' travel plans. Customers have been contacted directly with rebooking options and may also choose a refund or to hold the value of their ticket as credit for travel at a later date."

 Additional support may be provided where required, including meals, refreshments, accommodation and transport.

Customers who booked through a travel agent will be contacted directly by their agent to discuss rebooking options.

 "We thank our customers for their patience and understanding and remain committed to getting them to their destination as soon as possible."

Update on 3 February 2026

Strike action by Air New Zealand international widebody cabin crew 

Air New Zealand has been in discussions with the unions representing its widebody cabin crew on a pathway forward and the parties have now agreed to undertake facilitated bargaining. The unions have also limited strike action to two days on 12 and 13 February. 

The airline's focus is on minimising disruption to our customers and ensuring New Zealand remains connected to the world, recognising how critically important this is for passengers, exporters and the wider economy.  

Contingency planning is well underway. While there will be some cancellations on the long-haul network, affected customers will be reaccommodated where possible. Air New Zealand will also operate a number of cargo-only widebody services to help keep Kiwi exporters connected where we can. 

Through schedule adjustments and increased flying on its narrowbody fleet, Air New Zealand is working to prevent cancellations across its Tasman and Pacific Island network. 

There is no impact to Air New Zealand's domestic and regional services.  

Air New Zealand will begin contacting affected customers directly from tomorrow. Support will include rebooking options and may include meals, refreshments, accommodation and transport where required. Customers may also choose a refund or to hold the value of their fare as credit for future travel. 

Customers booked to travel on Air New Zealand's international widebody services are encouraged to ensure their contact details are up to date. 

Air New Zealand Chief People Officer Nikki Dines says the airline is committed to getting customers to their destinations as soon as possible.  

"We know how important it is to our customers to get where they need to be. We have done all we can to keep customers moving but unfortunately some travel plans will still be disrupted."

Ms Dines says the airline is working to achieve an agreed outcome to the bargains as quickly as possible.  

"Air New Zealand's offer to our widebody cabin crew includes increases to base salaries of between 4.14% and 6.41% in the first year and improvements to conditions while supporting the long-term sustainability of the airline.  

"While our immediate focus is on looking after our customers, we have agreed with the unions to participate in facilitated bargaining as soon as possible to move negotiations forward towards a resolution. We thank our customers for their patience while we work through this as quickly as possible." 

Update 1 December 2025

Project 32 review outcome

Following questions about one of our onboard snack suppliers, Project 32, Air New Zealand undertook a review of the company and its packaging claims.

The review confirmed that the "New Zealand Owned" statement on Project 32's packaging was incorrect. While the product is supplied to Air New Zealand by a New Zealand–registered company, the business was not New Zealand–owned at the time the packaging was produced.

Project 32 has worked openly and co-operatively with us to resolve the issue, transferring ownership to a New Zealander and committing to update its packaging artwork for future stock. It has also committed to ongoing transparency around its charitable giving, including moving from annual to quarterly donation cycles.

Air New Zealand will use existing stock on hand to avoid unnecessary food and packaging waste. This also preserves the product's gluten-free certification and ensures that charitable donations already committed this year can reach the communities they were intended to support. New packaging is expected by the end of summer.

We've also taken the opportunity to review and strengthen our own processes for verifying supplier packaging and product claims, to help prevent similar issues in future.