Editing Air New Zealand (section)

==History==
[[File:Air New Zealand Douglas DC-8 SYD Wheatley.jpg|thumb|A [[Douglas DC-8]] at [[Sydney Airport]] in the early 1970s. Air New Zealand was an early operator of the DC-8. Note the pre-1973 livery with the Southern Cross on the tail.]]
<!-- Expanded details can go in the [[History of Air New Zealand]] article -->
{{Main|History of Air New Zealand}}
On 1 April 1965, [[Tasman Empire Airways Limited]] was rebranded as Air New Zealand.<ref>[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/131764739 TEAL makes way for Air NZ Ltd] ''[[Canberra Times]]'' 2 April 1965 page 11</ref><ref>TEAL Renamed ''[[Australian Transport]]'' April 1965 page 26</ref><ref name="CompanyHistory">[https://web.archive.org/web/20070621151238/http://www.airnz.co.nz/resources/company_history_feb_06.pdf Air New Zealand History] Air New Zealand</ref>

With the increased range of the [[Douglas DC-8]]s the airline's first jet aircraft, Air New Zealand began transpacific services to the United States and Asia with [[Los Angeles International Airport|Los Angeles]] and [[Honolulu Airport|Honolulu]] added as destinations in 1965. The airline further acquired wide-body [[McDonnell Douglas DC-10]] airliners in 1973. The DC-10s introduced the new [[koru]]-inspired logo for the airline, which remains to this day.<ref name="CompanyHistory" />

In 1978, the domestic airline [[New Zealand National Airways Corporation|National Airways Corporation]] (NAC) and its subsidiary [[Straits Air Freight Express|Safe Air]] were merged into Air New Zealand to form a single national airline, further expanding the carrier's operations. As a result, NAC's [[Boeing 737]] and [[Fokker F27]] aircraft joined Air New Zealand's fleet alongside its DC-8 and DC-10 airliners. The merger also resulted in the airline having two [[Airline codes#IATA airline designator|IATA airline designators]]: TE from Air New Zealand and NZ from NAC. TE continued to be used for international flights and NZ for domestic flights until 1990, when international flights assumed the NZ code.<ref name="CompanyHistory"/><ref>Tata to TE ''[[Australian Transport|Australian Transport & Distribution Management]]'' September 1990 page 15</ref>

The crash of [[Mount Erebus disaster|Air New Zealand Flight 901]] in 1979 rocked the airline's reputation among the New Zealand public.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last1=Thornber |first1=Lorna |last2=Biradar |first2=Trupti |date=2020-04-01 |title=Rough Ride: 80 years of Air New Zealand |url=https://interactives.stuff.co.nz/2020/04/air-new-zealand-80-anniversary/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |language=en}}</ref> A subsequent Royal Commission of Inquiry was critical of the airline and led to the resignation of chief executive Morrie Davis, who had been working in the airline since the 1940s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-01 |title=Boardroom to Burning Man: The transformation of Rob Fyfe |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/how-disaster-changed-former-air-new-zealand-ceo-rob-fyfes-life/23SP72GHPBATNCNB7DBTBUXK6Y/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1981-05-05 |title=Air NZ chief quits after crash report |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/125631781 |access-date=2025-03-02 |work=Canberra Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Air New Zealand Limited |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/economics-business-and-labor/businesses-and-occupations/air-new-zealand-limited |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=International Directory of Company Histories}}</ref> The New Zealand Government and Air New Zealand formally apologised over the Mt Erebus disaster in 2019.<ref name=":0" />

[[File:Air New Zealand DC-10 (6221950359).jpg|thumb|An Air New Zealand [[McDonnell Douglas DC-10]] at [[Heathrow Airport]] in 1977. DC-10 deliveries began in 1973 and they introduced a new colour scheme, being the first of the airline's aircraft to feature the now-ubiquitous koru logo.]]
In 1981, Air New Zealand introduced its first [[Boeing 747]] airliner, and a year later initiated service to London via Los Angeles. The five 747-200s owned by Air New Zealand were all named after ancestral Māori canoes. 1985 saw the introduction of [[Boeing 767|Boeing 767-200ER]] airliners to fill the large size gap between the Boeing 737 and 747 (the DC-8 and DC-10 had been withdrawn by 1983).

In 1989, under [[Rogernomics|neoliberal economic reforms]] by the [[Fourth Labour Government of New Zealand|Fourth Labour Government]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-16 |title=1984 Revolution part I: The rise of Rogernomics and how it still shapes NZ lives |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener/politics/1984-revolution-the-rise-of-rogernomics-and-how-it-still-shapes-nz-lives/XN63LYQ37BCPFK3PNKCKCAT63I/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |language=en-NZ}}</ref> the airline was privatised with a sale to a consortium headed by [[GL Limited|Brierley Investments]].<ref name="CompanyHistory" /> (with remaining stakes held by [[Qantas]], [[Japan Airlines]], [[American Airlines]], and the New Zealand government). The New Zealand air transport market underwent [[deregulation]] in 1990, prompting Air New Zealand to acquire a 50% stake in [[Ansett Australia]] in 1995.<ref>{{cite news |title=THE SINGLE AVIATION MARKET |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/single-aviation-market |access-date=18 May 2023}}</ref>

In March 1999, Air New Zealand became a member of the [[Star Alliance]]. From 1999 through 2000, Air New Zealand became embroiled in an ownership battle over Ansett with co-owner [[News Corp Australia#History|News Limited]] over a possible sale of the under-performing carrier to [[Singapore Airlines]].<ref>{{cite web|title=History – About Air New Zealand|url=https://www.airnewzealand.com.sg/history|website=www.airnewzealand.com.sg|publisher=Air New Zealand Singapore|access-date=10 December 2017|language=en-SG|archive-date=10 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210072034/https://www.airnewzealand.com.sg/history|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Merger with Ansett===
{{further|History of Air New Zealand#Ansett collapse}}

In 2000, Air New Zealand announced that it had chosen instead to acquire the entirety of Ansett  Transport Industries (increasing its 50% stake in the carrier to 100%) for A$680 million from News Corporation in an attempt to break into the Australian aviation market. Business commentators<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/aviation/news/article.cfm?c_id=556&objectid=217059|title=Ambition flies in the face of reality|author =Brian Gaynor|newspaper=[[New Zealand Herald]] |date=15 September 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kBMuSdPpLXkC&pg=PA103|title=Limits to Privatization: How to Avoid Too Much of a Good Thing|author1=Marianne Beisheim |author2=Ernst Ulrich Von Weizsacker |author3=Oran R. Young |author4=Matthias Finger |publisher=Earthscan|year=2005|page=103|isbn=1-84407-177-4}}</ref> believe this to have been a critical mistake, as Ansett's fleet, staffing levels and infrastructure far outweighed that of Air New Zealand. Subsequently, both carriers' profitability came under question, and foreign offers to purchase the Air New Zealand Group were considered. In September 2001, plagued by costs it could not possibly afford, the Air New Zealand / Ansett Group neared collapse. A failed attempt at purchasing [[Virgin Australia|Virgin Blue]] was the final straw, and on 12 September, out of both time and cash, Air New Zealand placed Ansett Australia into voluntary administration, following which Ansett was forced to cease operations. Air New Zealand announced a NZ$1.425 billion operating loss.<ref name="CompanyHistory"/> Air New Zealand was subsequently bailed out by the New Zealand Government, with [[Helen Clark]]'s Labour Government taking an 82% stake in the company.

===21st century===
[[File:ZK-OKA Boeing 777-219(ER) Air New Zealand (6602001405).jpg|thumb|Air New Zealand added the [[Boeing 777]] to its fleet in 2004. As of 2024, the -200ER has been retired while the  -300ER plays an integral part in the airline's long-haul fleet.]]
In October 2001, Air New Zealand was re-nationalised under a New Zealand government NZ$885 million rescue plan (with the government taking an 82% stake), and subsequently received new leadership.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/|title=Government bailout of Air NZ complete|date=18 January 2002|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=2018-03-12|language=en-NZ|issn=1170-0777}}</ref> This act was the only thing that spared Air New Zealand from going into administration and likely grounding.

In 2002, Air New Zealand reconfigured its domestic operations under a [[low-cost airline]] business plan, and the New Zealand government refused a proposal from [[Qantas]] to purchase a one-fifth stake in the carrier. Air New Zealand returned to profitability in 2003, reporting a net profit of $NZ165.7 million for that year. The carrier saw increasing profits through 2004 and 2005.<ref name="CompanyHistory"/> In 2004, the airline announced a relaunch of its [[long-haul]] product, featuring the introduction of new seats in its business, [[premium economy]], and economy class cabins.

In 2003, Air New Zealand added the [[Airbus A320]] to its fleet for use on [[short-haul]] international flights, and later domestic flights. In 2005, the airline received its first [[Boeing 777]] (-200ER variant) aircraft and placed orders for the [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner]] in 2004. The airline was later announced as the launch customer for the −9 variant of the 787.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/air-new-zealand-787-9/index.html|title=Air New Zealand to launch world's first route for 787-9 Dreamliner {{!}} CNN Travel|date=11 November 2013|work=CNN Travel|access-date=2018-03-12|language=en}}</ref>

On 21 December 2010, the New Zealand government approved an alliance between Air New Zealand and Australian airline Virgin Blue (now named [[Virgin Australia]]), which allowed both airlines to expand their operations between Australia and New Zealand with codeshares for [[trans-Tasman]] and connecting domestic flights, and reciprocal access to frequent flyer programmes and airport lounges. Air New Zealand subsequently purchased a 26% shareholding in [[Virgin Australia Holdings]] to cement the relationship. By October 2016 Air New Zealand sold its remaining stake in Virgin Australia to investors and the Nasham Group.<ref>{{cite news|title=Air NZ sells remaining stake in Virgin Australia|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1610/S00362/air-nz-sells-remaining-stake-in-virgin-australia.htm|access-date=13 March 2016|publisher=Scoop|date=12 October 2016}}</ref> On 4 April 2018, Air New Zealand ended its partnership with Virgin Australia which went into effect from 28 October 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/business/354161/air-nz-pulls-plug-on-alliance-with-virgin-australia|title=Air NZ pulls plug on alliance with Virgin Australia|date=5 April 2018|work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |access-date=2018-04-05|language=en-nz}}</ref>

In 2011, Air New Zealand introduced the Boeing 777-300ER to its fleet, as well as the [[#Economy SkyCouch|Economy Skycouch]], a set of three economy class seats that could be converted into a flat surface by raising the leg rests. After a four-year delay, Air New Zealand took delivery of its first [[Boeing 787-9]] on 9 July 2014. The airline retired its final [[Boeing 747]] in September 2014,<ref name="747 last flight">{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11323417|title=Queen of the Skies takes her last Air NZ flight|last=Bradley|first=Grant|date=12 September 2014|newspaper=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=12 September 2014}}</ref> its last Boeing 737 in September 2015,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/72102770/air-nz-says-a-fond-farewell-to-the-737-after-47-years-in-the-skies|title=Air NZ says a fond farewell to the 737 after 47 years in the skies|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=16 September 2015|language=en|access-date=2019-10-25}}</ref> and its last Boeing 767 in March 2017,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/91047704/air-new-zealands-boeing-767-makes-its-final-journey|title=Air New Zealand's Boeing 767 makes its final journey|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=30 March 2017|language=en|access-date=2019-10-25}}</ref> leaving it with a simplified fleet of [[Airbus A320]] aircraft for short-haul operations and [[Boeing 777]] and 787 aircraft for long-haul operations.

In November 2013, the New Zealand Government reduced its share in Air New Zealand from 73% to 53% as part of its controversial asset sales programme. It made $365 million from the deal.<ref>{{cite news|last1=O'Sullivan|first1=Matt|title=NZ government sells 20% of Air New Zealand for $324 million|url=http://www.smh.com.au/business/nz-government-sells-20-of-air-new-zealand-for-324-million-20131119-2xtcr.html|access-date=10 December 2017|work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=20 November 2013}}</ref>

In October 2019, the airline announced it would discontinue its Los Angeles to London route in October 2020 while launching a new non-stop route from Auckland to New York.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-22 |title=Air New Zealand to axe London flights after 36 years |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/116796427/air-nz-to-axe-london-flights-after-36-years |access-date=2022-04-13 |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |language=en}}</ref> In March 2020 Air New Zealand sold its [[Heathrow Airport|London Heathrow]] [[Airport slot|slots]] for USD $27 million (approximately NZD $42 million).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Horton |first=Will |title=Air New Zealand Sells London Heathrow Airport Slot For $27 Million |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/willhorton1/2020/03/06/air-new-zealand-sells-london-heathrow-airport-slot-for-27-million/ |access-date=2024-10-20 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> The 10:50 arrival and 15:20 departure slots were taken over by [[United Airlines]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Air NZ swaps landing slots with United Airlines at Heathrow in secret deal |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/122286760/air-nz-swaps-landing-slots-with-united-airlines-at-heathrow-in-secret-deal |access-date=2024-10-20 |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] }}</ref> The London route was prematurely cancelled in March 2020 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], while the launch of the New York route was rescheduled, with the first flight taking place on 17 September 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-23 |title=Air New Zealand sets sights on New York |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/463842/air-new-zealand-sets-sights-on-new-york |access-date=2022-04-13 |website=[[RNZ]] |language=en-nz}}</ref> <!-- Please put detailed information relating to the COVID-19 pandemic on the [[History of Air New Zealand]] article. -->

Air New Zealand announced a major refurbishment of its existing cabins in June 2022, with new cabins including a new product named "The Skynest" to be introduced in the new Boeing 787-9 and 787-10 aircraft which are set to be delivered in 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Tess |last=McClure |date=2023-05-10 |title=Air New Zealand to charge over $400 for a four hour snooze in the sky |language=en-GB |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/10/air-new-zealand-to-charge-over-400-for-a-four-hour-snooze-in-the-sky |access-date=2023-05-10}}</ref>

In November 2024, Air New Zealand indicated it was "exploring options" for a possible return to London.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-15 |title=Air New Zealand puts London flights back on the radar |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/companies/airlines/air-new-zealand-puts-london-flights-back-on-the-radar/APQUCIXJBNACLOZER4CVKU5JGQ/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |language=en-NZ}}</ref> Following a rejection for slots at [[Heathrow Airport|Heathrow]], the airline was granted daily slots at [[Gatwick Airport|London Gatwick Airport]] for summer 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-19 |title=Air New Zealand exploring return of long-haul flights to London after Gatwick deal |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/air-new-zealand-london-flights-gatwick-b2649633.html |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-20 |title=Air New Zealand mulls London return, gets Gatwick slots - ch-aviation |url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/147138-air-new-zealand-mulls-london-return-gets-gatwick-slots |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=archive.is |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241120110745/https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/147138-air-new-zealand-mulls-london-return-gets-gatwick-slots |archive-date=2024-11-20}}</ref>