Two women are seeking compensation after being removed from an Air New Zealand flight and told to book two seats each due to their size, claiming discrimination. One of the women reported being aggressively treated by a flight attendant and experiencing pain in her arm. The airline has apologized for the inconsistent experience and offered accommodation, meals, and lounge access. An airline expert emphasized safety concerns but noted that policies regarding larger passengers vary by airline. The women are now seeking compensation for hurt, humiliation, and trauma.
Angel Harding and a friend were allegedly removed from an Air New Zealand flight due to their size, with a flight attendant claiming it was "an inconvenience." Harding described feeling humiliated and in pain after the incident, which she believes was due to discrimination. The airline has since apologized and covered their expenses, but Harding plans to seek compensation for the trauma endured. This incident highlights the lack of specific laws regarding plus-sized passengers in New Zealand and the varying policies across airlines globally.
Air New Zealand plans to pause its non-stop Auckland to Chicago service from March 31 to Oct. 25 due to ongoing challenges with Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, impacting up to three aircraft. The airline does not expect a full-year results impact and aims to re-accommodate affected customers. Rolls-Royce's inability to provide spare or replacement engines has led to reduced flying capacity. The airline's fiscal 2024 earnings forecast is lower than the previous year due to these challenges.
Air New Zealand's Skynest, which offers bunk beds in economy class, won the cabin concepts award at the 2022 Aircraft Interiors Expo. The Crystal Cabin Awards celebrate innovation in airplane cabin interiors and recognize ideas that are exciting and becoming a reality. Other winners include Collins Aerospace's InteliSence concept, Lantal Textiles' Deep Dyed Carpet, and Technical University of Delft's Lightweight Aircraft Seating. The awards suggest the aviation industry is starting to reckon with its environmental impact, although there's still a long way to go.
Air New Zealand will weigh all international passengers flying from Auckland as part of a "passenger weight survey" to ensure optimal distribution of flight loads. The exercise will continue until July 2, and the airline insists that all information will be anonymized. Passengers on the new direct flight from Auckland to New York JFK will also be affected.
Air New Zealand will conduct a voluntary survey of weighing more than 10,000 international passengers throughout June to study weight load and distribution on its airplanes. Digital scales will be set up at the entrance of select gate lounges at Auckland International Airport. Passengers’ weight data will be submitted as part of the survey, but will not be visible on the agent’s screen. The airline conducted a similar survey for domestic passengers in 2021, but its international survey was delayed due to travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Air New Zealand is requiring passengers departing on international flights from Auckland International Airport to participate in a passenger weight survey through July 2, 2023, in order to gather data on weight load and distribution for planes. Travelers will be asked to stand on a digital scale when they check in for their flight, and the information about their weight will be submitted to the survey but will not be viewable on the agent’s screen. The airline says it has made the data anonymous to protect individuals’ privacy.
Air New Zealand plans to introduce Skynest bunk beds in economy class on its Auckland-New York and Auckland-Chicago routes from September 2024. The Skynest area on its Boeing 787s will feature six sleeping pods, each with their own bedding, ear plugs, a reading light, a USB charging outlet and an air vent. Economy passengers will be allowed to book one four-hour session per flight, pending availability, with a 30-minute changeover period scheduled between sessions. The airline has not yet finalised pricing for the Skynest sleep sessions.
