Air New Zealand is to extend the expiry date on existing credits held by customers to 2024.
The carrier announced that all customers still holding credits at 30 September 2022 will now have until 31 January 2024 to book a new flight, which must be taken by the end of 2024.
Any new credits issued from 1 October onwards will be valid for 12 months to book a new flight and customers will have another 12 months to take that flight.
Air New Zealand’s chief customer and sales officer Leanne Geraghty said that around 500,000 customers currently hold a credit with the airline.
“We know these customers are eager to travel, and this extension means they now have more than two years to do so,” added Geraghty.
“By the end of October, we will have all 29 international ports up and running, including our new service to New York, and over the New Zealand summer, we’ll be back at 80 per cent of our pre-Covid international capacity.”
Air New Zealand is also due to receive its first delivery of SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) this week. The 1.2 million litres of SAF is being produced by Neste and imported through a partnership with Z Energy which will be used to “help test and set up the supply chain for importing SAF into New Zealand”.
The airline expects to receive eight Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners in 2024 when it plans to offer some cabin upgrades.
Business Premier Luxe will have the same features as Business Premier, but with a fully closing door and space for two people to dine, according to the carrier. A new premium economy seat will also offer more privacy.
The aircraft will include full-length sleeping pods, dubbed Skynest, in economy. Regular economy seats will be designed with more storage and space, plus a 50-per cent larger screen for entertainment.