Air New Zealand's Plane Spotter's Guide takes off these school holidays
Designed for curious young travellers, future aviators and anyone who has ever pointed at the sky and asked, "What kind of plane is that?", the guide helps kids identify the aircraft they might see taking off, landing or flying overhead.
From the hardworking ATR and Q300 connecting regional New Zealand, to the Airbus A320 and A321neo flying across New Zealand, the Tasman and Pacific, and the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner heading further afield, each aircraft has its own clues to look for.
Air New Zealand A320 Captain Jake Snelgrove says plane spotting is a great way to turn a trip past the airport into a mini adventure.
"Every aircraft has its own personality. Some are easy to recognise because they're small or big, while others have different wing shapes, engines or even a distinctive sound.
"The fun is learning what to look for. You might spot an aircraft at the airport, see one flying overhead, or hear one before you see it. Once you know the clues, you start to notice the differences.
"My tip for young plane spotters is to find a safe viewing spot, keep your eyes on the sky, and see what details you can pick out. Before long, you'll be spotting aircraft like a pro."
The guide features Air New Zealand aircraft types with illustrations, simple spotting clues and fun facts to help junior plane spotters work out which aircraft is which.
Air New Zealand is also sharing some of the best plane spotting places around the country for families keen to make a school holiday outing of it. But kids do not need to be at an airport to join in. Whether they are in the car, at the beach, in the backyard or walking the dog, there is always a chance to look up and see what is flying by.
"We'd love to see what our youngest aviation fans can spot these school holidays," Captain Snelgrove says.
Where to spot Air New Zealand aircraft:
Auckland
Puhinui Road Lookout has excellent views of aircraft arriving and departing, with everything from regional aircraft to Dreamliners regularly passing overhead.
Top tip: Many of Air New Zealand's international flights arrive into Auckland early in the morning, so early risers have a better chance of spotting some of the airline's biggest aircraft, including the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and Boeing 777-300ER.
Wellington
Grab a spot at Lyall Bay Beach surf lookout or the little hill on Chiswick Terrace, off Wexford Road, to watch aircraft make Wellington's famous approaches over the harbour.
Christchurch
Head to Aviation Drive for great views of aircraft arriving and departing, with plenty of opportunities to spot both domestic and international flights.
Queenstown
The Frankton Golf Course is one of the best places to watch aircraft arrive, with The Remarkables providing a spectacular backdrop.
Nelson
The Airport Perimeter Walkway has designated viewing areas where families can watch Air New Zealand's regional aircraft throughout the day.
What can you spot?
The Plane Spotter's Guide helps kids identify Air New Zealand aircraft including:
· ATR72-600
· Q300
· Airbus A320neo or Airbus A321neo
· Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
· Boeing 777-300ER
ENDS
Issued by Air New Zealand Communications
Email: media@airnz.co.nz │ Phone: +64 21 747 320
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 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 9.9 years. Air New Zealand's global network of passenger and cargo services centres around New Zealand. In 2026, the airline flew more than 16 million passengers. Air New Zealand was named 2025 World's Safest Airline by the Australian rating service AirlineRatings.com, highlighting the airline's laser-focus on safety.
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, the Pacific Islands, Asia and North America, 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. Airpoints, Air New Zealand's loyalty programme, is seen as the most valuable loyalty programme in New Zealand with more than 4 million members. It allows members to earn Airpoints Dollars™ and Status Points for VIP benefits in the air and on the ground. 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
The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, based on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition and seamless service. Since inception, it has offered the largest and most comprehensive airline network, with a focus on improving customer experience across the Alliance journey.
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 Air Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, and United.
Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers more than 16,000 daily flights to almost 1,200 airports in 186 countries. Further connecting flights are offered by Star Alliance Connecting Partners Juneyao Airlines and THAI Smile Airways.
For more information about Air New Zealand visit www.airnewzealand.com and for more information about Star Alliance visit www.staralliance.com