It's been a good year for Air New Zealand. In 2010, the southern hemisphere's favourite carrier has been named `Airline of the Year' by four separate organizations. All of the awards cited Air New Zealand's outstanding customer service, both on the ground and in the air.
But as an industry leader in innovation, Air New Zealand decided that there was still room for improvement, still more ways to enhance the passenger experience. In short, they wanted to kick it up another notch. And that's exactly what they've done with the introduction of its one-of-a-kind Concierge Service. Now, a fully-trained concierge is available onboard all of Air New Zealand's long-haul flights, serving all passengers, whether they are travelling in Business Premier, Pacific Premium Economy or Pacific Economy Class.
Passengers discover that the airline's five-star care starts before they even arrive at the airport. The night before the flight, the concierge contacts passengers and asks about their upcoming trip and specific interests. When the passenger arrives on the plane, they will immediately notice how the flight has been tailored to their needs. For golfers, it might be a magazine that showcases New Zealand's stunning courses. If fine dining is your passion, you might discover insider's tips on the top ranked restaurants in Auckland or Wellington.
During the flight, the concierge chats with travellers, getting an even better sense of what their trip is all about. If it's purely business, they can help with the booking of convenient city-centre hotels, domestic flights and transportation to and from the airport. For vacationers, the ways to help are almost endless. It can be everything from booking a tee-time at Cape Kidnapper, New Zealand's highest rated course - it's ranked in the top 50 in the world - to helping organize a hiking trip to the spectacular Westland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to over 60 glaciers.
While the new Concierge Service is wowing passengers, Air New Zealand is also proud of its other amenities. With the help of the country's best chefs and wine consultants, the airline has put together a gastronomic bonanza, the pairing of New Zealand's finest dishes with its award-winning wines.
Then there is the sophisticated entertainment system - from your in-seat personal screen you can click on the latest blockbusters and television shows. Every seat in every class of service features a high-resolution entertainment screen. When it is time to sleep, lie back in state-of-the-art bed/seats in Business Premier.
Later this year, Air New Zealand will be introducing mobile phone and data capability on its new Boeing 777-300 aircraft. With this service, Air New Zealand's customers will be able to keep in touch with friends, family and colleagues by using their iPhone, Blackberry and GSM mobile phones to safely send and receive e-mails and text messages during their flights.
The new Boeing 777-300 aircraft will also be equipped with revolutionary sleep technology. After three years of working with the country's top industrial designers, Air New Zealand is unveiling the new Skycouch seats in economy class - the first ever lie-flat seating in economy and Space Seats in Premium Economy which will allow passengers to create their own position for sleeping. The new seating will be available on select service between Los Angeles and Auckland starting in April of 2011 and will be coming to the Vancouver to Auckland, non-stop service in 2012.
No wonder Air New Zealand is the airline of the year. www.airnewzealand.ca