Air New Zealand turns flight into the ultimate opening act for SIX60 X SYNTHONY
This May, Air New Zealand is once again turning the skies into a stage, bringing its iconic SYNTHONY in the Sky charter flight back for a second act.
On Tuesday 24 February, Air New Zealand will open ticket sales for its second ever SYNTHONY charter, where the flight is officially part of the show.
Flying from Auckland to Christchurch on Friday 15 May 2026, Flight NZ1212 will be transformed into a high-altitude concert, setting the tone well before fans touch down for the sold out Once In A Lifetime concert at One New Zealand Stadium, headlined by SIX60 and SYNTHONY.
From boarding to touchdown, customers will be immersed in a full SYNTHONY in the Sky experience, featuring live performances by SYNTHONY onboard. Think of it as the warmup act, just at 30,000 feet.
Every ticket on the flight includes a one-way charter from Auckland to Christchurch, a GA standing ticket to the sold out SYNTHONY concert at One New Zealand Stadium on Saturday 16 May, behind the scenes access to SYNTHONY's soundcheck, and an exclusive SIX60 acoustic performance on Friday 15 May available only to SYNTHONY in the Sky passengers.
Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Digital Officer Jeremy O'Brien says the charter reflects the airline's role in creating moments customers genuinely care about.
"At Air New Zealand, we believe the journey should be just as memorable as the destination. Moments like this are what travel is all about. It's about anticipation, excitement and feeling part of something special from the very beginning.
"The first SYNTHONY in the Sky experience to Sydney in November was so popular, we had to bring it back for a second act. Tickets sold out in just six hours, anyone interested in round two will need to jump onboard quickly!
"With this flight, we're creating an experience that starts the second customers step onboard and stays with them long after the final note is played. Turning a flight into a live performance at 30,000 feet is about giving our customers a story they'll tell for years to come.
"When a brand new national stadium opens its doors with SYNTHONY and SIX60 sharing the same stage, it deserves a journey that matches the scale of the moment. This charter is our way of making sure the trip there feels just as iconic as what's waiting on the ground."
DJ Dick Johnson is returning for his second sky-high gig experience and is excited to be back onboard.
"As well as being a world first for aviation, SYNTHONY In the Sky marked the first time I'd ever DJ'd at 30,000 feet. The atmosphere was unlike anything else - 200 ravers all there for the same reason: to party on a plane, with the added buzz of heading into SYNTHONY in Sydney. I loved the experience of DJing alongside live performers jumping in throughout, and I can't wait to curate another one for Christchurch and Once In A Lifetime."
Onboard, customers will be treated to live performances from SYNTHONY talent with plenty of surprises along the way.
The concert marks the first time One New Zealand Stadium opens its doors to live music, signalling a new chapter for Christchurch and Aotearoa's live entertainment scene.
Once In A Lifetime will feature a full SYNTHONY set delivering their signature orchestral electronic sound, a full SIX60 set including new music alongside their chart-topping classics, and a special collaborative finale where SIX60's biggest songs are reimagined with the full SYNTHONY experience.
Tickets are on sale from 6am Tuesday 24 February. Seats on the charter are extremely limited.
Flight Details
· Flight Number: NZ1212
· Departure: Auckland to Christchurch, Friday 15 May 2026
· Fare: One way charter flight $489
· Tickets are available from airnewzealand.co.nz/synthony
· Inclusions:
o Live inflight SYNTHONY performance
o GA Standing ticket to the SYNTHONY concert at One New Zealand Stadium
o Exclusive SIX60 acoustic performance with support from General Lee in Christchurch
o SYNTHONY soundcheck access
#SynthonyInTheSky
www.airnewzealand.co.nz/synthony
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 2024, 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