AIRLINE NEWS
Thai Airways has announced plans to fly back to New Zealand. The Star Alliance airline operated here for three decades until they suspended operations at the start of the Covid pandemic. No specific start up details as yet available, but the Bangkok to Auckland route will commence ‘later in 2026’. The good news is that Thai has a modernised fleet and had always been a popular and good value choice with our clients enroute to their 10 destinations in UK/Europe, not to mention allowing much easier access to the amazing holiday islands and resorts around Thailand.
Qantas Economy Plus has arrived! The airline has provided Economy Class travellers with a little more leg room with their new Qantas Economy Plus, which is now open for us to book on the Qantas Airbus 220 (now Wellington to Brisbane), Airbus 321XLR (domestic Australia) and most of the B737 fleet which operates the Tasman routes. Seats are complimentary for Qantas Platinum members. Gold and Silver members also receive complimentary access to Forward seats, with some options available at booking, and others from 24 hours prior to flight departure (subject to availability). Or pay the surcharge (eg Melbourne to Auckland $AU35-$55 or 6,000 - 9,500 QF Frequent Flyer points). As a rough guide the pitch goes from 30” to ‘from 34” ‘ which makes it a similar proposition to the Air New Zealand ‘Space+’ seats available to Koru Club members on their Airbus A320 fleet. With their competitive Tasman fares, this will make the Qantas Tasman flights much more palatable on their narrow-body Boeing 737-800 Tasman fleet.
Emirates First & Business Class clients enjoy the complimentary limousine service which is a part of the airfare. Clients joining or arriving Emirates to/from New Zealand are provided up to 80 complimentary kilometres to/from Auckland and Christchurch Airports when travelling individually. A newer feature is that you can be driven up to 120 complimentary kilometres when travelling together with one or more other eligible passengers.
In a further update from Emirates, you are no longer permitted to access any of the aircraft refrigerators (medicines/baby bottles). Passengers should arrange your own temperature-controlled containers for safe storage. Thermal bags with icepacks can be used but the icepacks should not exceed 100ml.
On the back of the Thai Airways news, Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines have launched a seat sale for fares to Europe, in the market for the next several weeks. Call your usual ATPI Travel Advisor to secure your seats. Note that there is very limited availability for these ‘seat sale’ fares.
The Air New Zealand Flight Attendant strike is scheduled for 12 and 13 February, affecting longhaul routes. We had contacted our affected clients and made alternative arrangements.