Air New Zealand is to offer flat beds in economy on its new fleet of Boeing 777-300 ER this November. The “Skycouch”, which is aimed at couples and young families, features three standard seats that can be changed into a single, flat space.

Air New Zealand’s chief executive has predicted that the airline’s yields per passenger would not improve until the end of next year – at the earliest. Rob Fyfe said although passenger demand had recovered slightly – reflected by improved forward bookings – average fares paid per passenger, or yields, remained weak. The carrier’s bookings have grown on a year-on-year basis over the past several months,

New Zealand’s Commerce Commission has started legal action against 13 airlines for what it believes is “extensive and long-term cartel activity in the air cargo market”.The authority claims the airlines, including Air New Zealand, Qantas, British Airways and Cathay Pacifichave been colluding to raise cargo charges by imposing fuel surcharges for seven years. If found guilty, the airlines could face similar action, including heavy fines, as already imposed in the United States, Europe and Australia.

The world’s first concierges in the sky spread their wings this week as 11 London-based recruits graduate Air New Zealand’s training academy and commence their new roles flying the airline’s London to Los Angeles route.

Today, Air New Zealand officially opened its new Training Centre in Mangere at a special function hosted by the airline`s Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer Ralph Norris and attended by the Associate Minister of Transport, Hon.Harry Duynhoven.