Air New Zealand unveils new look premium check-in at Auckland International Airport
The space has been fully redesigned to deliver an enhanced premium travel experience for customers from the moment they step through the door.
Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Sales Officer Leanne Geraghty says that customer feedback on the former premium check-in highlighted the experience could be more seamless so she's thrilled to get the new space open.
"We're always listening to customer feedback and looking for ways to improve their experience at every touch point on their journey. After the January floods caused damage to the space, we took the opportunity to completely redesign the footprint creating a better customer flow and installing new and refreshed finishings."
The new design features sweeping timber curves imitating the contour of a bird's wing in motion to help guide customers through their check-in journey.
Folded ceiling battens illustrating a stylised nest pattern help soften the area acoustically and illuminated feather motifs, visible between the carved timber screen slats allow design elements to be discovered over time.
A living wall replicating the forest floor of the Waitakere Ranges alongside natural stone, timber finishes and a 12 metre digital wall featuring bespoke art and music add warmth and tactility to the sophisticated space.
Concierge-style desks provide customers with a space to sit to speak with customer service agents, while the popular self-service kiosks and updated bag drop technology provide efficiency.
"We've had great feedback that the space now feels bigger, with an improved transition for customers to move from the check-in kiosks to the bag drop. The new colours and textures also provide a sense of calm which is a lovely way to start a trip overseas," says Leanne.
The refreshed premium check-in is the beginning of a new look and feel for Air New Zealand's physical spaces, expressing the unique diversity, vibrancy, and personality of Aotearoa.
"We want people to experience Aotearoa at every point in their journey with us so design elements from this space will eventually carry through to our other customer touchpoints including lounges, check-in spaces and aircraft," Leanne says.
Premium check-in provides frequent flyers, Koru members, and premium cabin customers with an exclusive space to start their journey, allowing them to check-in and drop their bags with swift service and minimal waiting times.
Ends
Issued by Air New Zealand Communications.
Email: media@airnz.co.nz │Twitter: @AirNZMedia
About Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand's story started in 1940, first taking to the skies between Auckland and Sydney on a flying boat - a Short S30. Known for its warm Kiwi hospitality, today, the airline has 104 operating aircraft ranging from Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A320s to ATRs and Q300s, offering customers comfort in the latest most efficient jets and turboprops. It's a modern fuel-efficient fleet with an average age of 7.3 years. Air New Zealand's global network of passenger and cargo services centres around New Zealand. Pre-Covid, the airline flew more than 17 million passengers every year, with 3,400 flights per week. Air New Zealand was recently named the World's Safest Airline by the Australian rating service AirlineRatings.com, highlighting the airline's laser-focus on safety. Last year, Air New Zealand won Best Corporate Reputation in New Zealand – 8th year in a row.
Air New Zealand has a well-connected domestic business, connecting customers and cargo to 20 different regions around New Zealand. Internationally, the airline has direct flights to major cities across Australia, Asia, the Pacific Islands and the US, and through its strong relationships with alliance partners, offers customers more choice and convenience to connect further afield to hundreds of destinations. Air New Zealand has a particular focus on sustainability and its Sustainability Framework helps guide the airline's efforts in tackling some of New Zealand's and the world's most complex challenges. Air New Zealand aircraft are proudly identified by its distinct tail livery of the Mangōpare, the Māori symbol of the hammerhead shark which represents strength, tenacity, and resilience.
About Star Alliance
Air New Zealand is proud to be a member of Star Alliance. The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer worldwide reach, recognition and seamless service to the international traveller. Its acceptance by the market has been recognized by numerous awards, including the Air Transport World Market Leadership Award and Best Airline Alliance by both Business Traveller Magazine and Skytrax. The member airlines are: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI and United. Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers more than 18,500 daily flights to 1,321 airports in 193 countries.