Travel Turning Into A Movie Session

26 June 2007

In-Flight Entertainment Upgrade For A320s And B767s Turns Travel Into A Movie Session

Air New Zealand today announced the first initiative sparked by its review of domestic and Tasman operations.

Chief Executive Officer Rob Fyfe says customers using Air New Zealand’s Tasman and Pacific Island services will enjoy a new travel experience next year, with the airline spending more than $50 million on equipping its 13 A320 and five Boeing 767 aircraft with individual on-demand personal entertainment screens.

Mr Fyfe says the reviews underway - and set for completion prior to Christmas - will determine what the airline needs to do to continue to improve and stay ahead of its competitors over the next three-to-five years.

“The outcomes will make for a more inspiring and uniquely Kiwi journey from point of origin to destination. These include the airport experience – encompassing everything from how customers book to how they get to the airport and how their bags are handled – to addressing the challenges of the Trans-Tasman market and attracting more Australians to holiday in New Zealand,” he says.

”We are extremely excited about the next steps in developing the Tasman and Pacific Island experience for our customers.”

The in-flight entertainment upgrade will give customers on the A320s and 767s access to more than 450 hours of movie, television programme and audio.
Movies will be played right up to the beginning of the aircraft’s descent into its destination.

“The experience for customers will be like walking into a movie theatre, watching a blockbuster of their choice and then walking out of the aircraft to their destination,” Mr Fyfe says.

Air New Zealand has consistently positive feedback from long-haul customers about its in-flight entertainment, which offers one of the most comprehensive and high quality selections of movies, television programmes and music available in the air.

“Customers tell us they love having the freedom and control that comes with being able to operate their own personal screens, and having access to a large choice of content – from the latest blockbusters to quirky foreign films and home-grown movies and games.”

Mr Fyfe says the upgrade of the in-flight entertainment system also reflects Air New Zealand’s commitment to providing consistent product and service to its international travellers.

Air New Zealand offers the most capacity and frequency across the Tasman and Pacific Islands than any airline flying to or from New Zealand, with more than 200 return trips a week between New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands.

“Each year we carry nearly three million customers on our short-haul international network. Australia and the Pacific Islands continue to be highly popular destinations for Kiwis and we are constantly monitoring travel patterns to identify how we can better deliver to our customers’ needs through the routes and schedules we operate.”

The upgrade to 767s would also be advantageous to customers making long-haul trips on the aircraft, which is used for flights to Perth, Honolulu and to Los Angeles via the Pacific.

The upgrade work will be undertaken in the second half of 2008 by Air New Zealand Technical Operations, with consideration being given to both Auckland and Christchurch bases.

ENDS

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