Editing Air New Zealand (section)

===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>