Air New Zealand Sydney Koru Lounge - Temporarily relocated

Air New Zealand wishes to advise the Air New Zealand Koru lounge located at Sydney International Airport has been temporarily relocated while the current lounge is being refreshed. The temporary lounge is located in Pier C on Level one, towards gates 50-63 and on the same level as the International Transfer Desk. New signage at Sydney International Airport will highlight the way to the temporary Air New Zealand lounge. The refurbished Air New Zealand lounge will open in the second quarter of 2015 and will offer customers a premium experience with great food and beverage options along with increased seating.

Jetstar Change to Carry-On baggage limits

Jetstar Change to Carry-On baggage limits

Jetstar has updated its carry-on baggage policy for all domestic and international flights booked from Tuesday 28 October for flights departing from 25 November.

Feedback suggests that limited room available in the overhead lockers has caused frustration with travellers. To address this, we are reducing the amount of baggage that customers can bring on board, which will align us with the approach taken by many carriers across the Asia Pacific region. This will assist in speeding up the boarding process, enable more flights to depart on time and ensure all customers receive their fair share of overhead locker space.

The revised policy allows:
Economy class passengers to bring one main item of carry-on baggage and one other small item, with a total combined weight of up to 7kg (previously 10kg)
Business class passengers to bring two main items of carry-on baggage, as long as each main item does not exceed 7kg, with a total combined weight of up to 14kg (previously 20kg).

* NB - Business is on international flights operated by an A330 or 787 aircraft only.

Any customer with an existing booking made before 28 October 2014 will be permitted to bring up to 10kg (economy) or up to 20kg (business) on board.

NZ Customs Tobacco Duty Free Concessions

NZ Customs Tobacco Duty Free Concessions Reduced effective 01 Nov

From 1 November 2014, the duty free tobacco concession for travellers drops to 50 cigarettes or 50 grams of cigars or tobacco products.

It’s ok to bring more than 50 cigarettes or 50 grams of cigars or tobacco products in to New Zealand, but this must be declared on the passenger arrival card. The first 50 cigarettes or 50 grams of cigars or tobacco products are duty free, and travellers must pay duty and GST on the rest.

Travellers will be able to estimate how much duty they will have to pay on cigarettes and tobacco at www.whatsmyduty.org.nz from 1 November.

Tokyo Stopovers

Have you ever thought about taking a breather from your long-haul travel with a stopover in Tokyo?

Our partners have put together some examples of things you can do - for both the tourist and the corporate traveller.

Tokyo is an astonishing city to explore. Let us know if you'd like to discover it.

Sample accommodation:

3 star Tokyo Stopover
2 nights at Shiba Park Hotel, Minato-ku District
Return airport transfers by shuttle
Daily American breakfast

Cost NZ$465 per person based on twin share or $704 for single person. Additional nights incl breakfast $155 per person share twin or $275 single

4 star Tokyo Stopover
2 nights at the Park Hotel, Minato-ku District
Return airport transfers by shuttle
Daily American Breakfast

Cost NZ$559 per person based on twin share or $892 for single room. Additional nights incl breakfast $202 per person twin share or $369 single
* All prices subject to currency fluctuations until paid in full

How about a sightseeing tour?

Tokyo Sightseeing Tours (a sample only):
Tokyo Morning tour - NZ$80 pp
Tokyo Grand Full Day Tour incl lunch - NZ$154 pp
Nikko World Heritage Day Tour incl lunch - NZ$198 pp
Mt. Fuji Hakone DayTour incl lunch, with return by Shinkansen Bullet Train - NZ$254 pp
Robot Show Dinner Plan - NZ$72pp  incl light bento dinner, a drink and reserved seating
Kokugikan ('Sumo" Tournaments) - from NZ$65-$147 (Jan, May &Sept)

Longer Tours ex Tokyo (a sample only):
2 days Mt. Fuji & Onsen (Hot Springs) - from NZ$475 pp share twin
2 days Kyoto & Nara - from NZ$1029 pp share twin
3 days Hakone & Kyoto - from NZ$532 pp share twin
* All prices subject to currency fluctuations until paid in full.

Nadi International Airport refurbishment

Air New Zealand, on behalf of Airports Fiji Ltd, wishes to advise that a major terminal refurbishment is underway to improve the overall experience and facilities for all travellers at Nadi International Airport. The project is expected to run until late 2015 and during this time customers may experience some inconvenience.

Effective from 15 October 2014 the first floor of the departures area will be closed for renovation and departing passengers will be required to use the temporary waiting area on the ground floor. Passengers will only be able to proceed to the first floor to board their flight once called.  It is expected that the temporary waiting area will be in operation until June 2015.  For your passengers’ convenience please ensure they are made aware of the changes.

Emirates Baggage Policy Change

Media Release:

We have recently changed our baggage policy for tickets issued from 15th November 2014.  Please be aware that the new rules do affect the length of a bag PLUS the total size of a bag (length + width + height).

Please note the important changes:

For tickets issued on or after 15th November 2014 -

Individual items with total dimensions exceeding 300cm (118 inches) cannot be transported as checked baggage, and must be sent as cargo or freight. There are no exceptions to this rule.

For tickets issued prior to 15th November 2014 -

Items beyond 300cm (118 inches) and up to 400cm 157 inches) in length may be accepted in exceptional cases. Please contact your local Emirates office for details at least seven working days prior to travel for assistance.  Items exceeding this limit must be referred to Emirates SkyCargo. If the free baggage allowance is exceeded, normal excess charges will apply.

Piece Concept -

For tickets issued on or after 15th November 2014 -

Total dimensions (length + width + height) of each piece must not exceed 150cm (59 inches). Customers with individual items exceeding these dimensions and up to 300cm (118 inches) will be charged an additional fee. Individual items with total dimensions exceeding 300cm (118 inches) cannot be transported as checked baggage, and must be sent as cargo or freight – please contact Emirates SkyCargo for assistance.
For customers with two pieces of luggage, the total combined dimensions of both pieces should not exceed 300cm (118 inches).  This applies to all classes of travel.

For tickets issued prior to 15th November 2014 -

Total dimensions (length+ width+ height) of each piece must not exceed 158 cm (62 inches). For Economy Class customers with two pieces of luggage, the total combined dimensions of both pieces must not exceed 273 cm (107 inches). Customers with baggage exceeding these dimensions will be charged an additional fee.

Changes at Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport

Cathay Pacific:

Effective from 1 October 2014, Cathay Pacific will be moving its operations from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 at Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL). The check-in counters will close 40 mins prior to flight departure.

Dragonair flights remain service in Terminal 1 until further notice.

Singapore Airlines:

With effect from 1 September 2014, Singapore Airlines will be moving its operations from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3.

We would like to inform customers departing Manila that check-in counters, which are located at Terminal 3's Row B1-9, will be open three hours before the scheduled flight departure time and will close 40 mins prior to flight departure.

Due to the move, our SilverKris Lounge located at Terminal 1 will be closed. During this period, customers who are eligible for lounge access will be invited to Lounge One Fourteen, which is located at Level 3, Terminal 3 (Gate 114). A new lounge is scheduled to open at Terminal 3 in early 2015.

Media Statement: Malaysia Airlines

Media Statement

Malaysia Airlines Flight Forced into Emergency Landing After Flying Over Icelandic

Wednesday, 17 September 2014 - Malaysia Airlines refers to the article “Malaysia Airlines Flight Forced Into Emergency Landing After Flying Over Icelandic” published by a web portal – worldnewsdaily.com.

The airline is deeply troubled that such irresponsible articles and amateurish “reporting” was allowed by the editors of the news portal to be published, and it calls on the public to not to be fooled by such blatant lies.

Whilst not wishing to dignify the full content of the article to any extent, due to the malicious absurdity of the author's claims, it was reported that “flight MH131 from Paris to New York was forced to land in Iceland when its pilots flew the B777 aircraft almost directly over the active Bardarbunga volcano”.  MAS feels compelled to bring such glaring falsehoods to the attention of the public.

It is widely known that MAS operates the Kuala Lumpur/Paris/Kuala Lumpur sector utilizing its A380 aircraft.  The airline does not fly onwards to New York, or any other American destinations.

Given recent tragedies, and despite the suffering of all, we believe that such stories only serve one purpose, that is to fuel conjecture, misunderstanding and instill fear amongst the travelling public.  Whatever the motive behind the story, it does not represent the ethos of ethical and factual journalism. 

Malaysia Airlines
Auckland Office
09 379 3743

Farewell to the Boeing 747

It's the end of an era.

Reading this article has sparked a degree of reflection. The 747 was truly a remarkable aircraft. I was surprised to learn that Air New Zealand has been flying them since June 1981. My fondest memory of flying in one goes back to the mid-1990's. I was traveling from Auckland to Los Angeles for work. Fresh-faced, bright-eyed and full of youth. I thought I'd try my luck and asked for an upgrade. And I got one. I was astonished. There was something wondrous about entering the aircraft and walking upstairs to Business Class. I've never forgotten how that felt, and of course the excellent service I received!

So - what memories do you have of the 747? Feel free to share stories and pictures!

An update from Emirates regarding travel security

Travellers to the UK, USA and Canada are required to demonstrate that their electronic and battery powered devices switch on at Dubai International airport, including telephones, laptops, tablets and e-books. This means charging your devices before arriving at the airport.  All passengers will still be required to follow instructions for electronic devices for take-off and landing.

Please read the below frequently asked questions related to this recently implemented security measure:

Will all baggage be screened for electronic devices?
Screening only applies to hand and carry-on baggage.

Who will be doing the screening? Where?
Emirates Group Security will be screening travellers at the boarding gates for flights departing
to destinations in the UK, US or Canada.

What if I can’t power up my electronic device?
You will not be allowed to board your flight, unless you choose to leave the device behind.
These regulations are specified by the authorities of the three countries. There are no facilities to keep devices in storage.

Does this mean that we need more pre-boarding time for flights heading to these countries?
No. Current pre-boarding times are as normal for Emirates departures.
Emirates is complying with new security requirements from the UK and US Governments, so please ensure that items you bring with you are fully powered before you arrive at the airport.