Air New Zealand's error

So as posted below Air New Zealand have launched their new "crazy about rugby" safety video.  Below is the quote from their release on youtube

We jammed a plane full of rugby fans, some crazy Air New Zealand staff and asked some of our All Black friends to lend a hand. After two long days shooting, here's what we came up with. Created for our Domestic 737 service.

But what Air New Zealand failed to do was film this video on a 737.  It is very clearly filmed on an A320 - ZK-OJO to be precise.  The key identifying features are:

• PTVs in the seatbacks (737s don't have these)
• Curtains separating business class with economy (737s are all economy)
• No yoke steering in the cockpit (737s have control yokes, A320s have side sticks)
• A fully electronic display cockpit
• In the scene with Richie McCaw sitting in the pilots seat the dash clearly says ZK-OJO

What makes this worse for Air New Zealand is this issue was raised with me by a non aviation geek, who noticed it wasn't filmed on a 737!


So props to Air New Zealand for filming another great safety video, but a big loss of points for the glaring error of filming a 737 safety video on an A320.


(But the old girl streaking still makes me laugh!!)

New Air New Zealand Safety video

Air New Zealand have cracked it again with their new safety video for domestic 737 services.  The video plays heavily on their association with New Zealand Rugby and features several All Blacks including captain Richie McCaw and coach Graham Henry.

Check it out for yourself (ps the old lady cracks me up....)

Air New Zealand to pick up Pacific Blue passengers

The following extract from the article about the Pacific Blue withdrawal from domestic service shows how the announcement has benefited Air New Zealand.

"We have confirmed that we're able to re-accommodate their customers and understand Pacific Blue will soon contact passengers to discuss their options," Air New Zealand Group General Manager Australasia Bruce Parton said in a statement.
He said passengers would be rebooked onto Air New Zealand services as close to their currently booked departure time as possible.
In addition, Pacific Blue passengers would be offered free membership to Air New Zealand's Airpoints program. 

This of course raises the question, as to whether this is all part of the strategy for the alliance between the two airlines?, although the alliance is on trans tasman markets and Virgin have denounced there is any connection between the two, through social media outlet Twitter.

Jetstar to increase NZ Domestic after PB departure

LOW-cost carrier Jetstar plans to increase its fledgling New Zealand operations, taking advantage of Virgin Blue's departure from the market.

The airline, owned by Qantas, says it will add two extra A320 aircraft to its eight strong NZ fleet to support more domestic and trans-Tasman routes.
Jetstar chief Bruce Buchanan said the airline would increase flights from Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington in advance of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Report is from AAP via the CourierMail, and doesn't contain any concrete announcements just a general announcement that Jetstar will increase their domestic services including those previously mentioned (HERE).

Read the full report HERE

Pacific Blue exit NZ Domestic

Pacific Blue have announced their exit from the New Zealand domestic market, while refocusing their efforts on trans tasman and short haul international flights.

“Pacific Blue will cease flying New Zealand domestic routes and redeploy its New Zealand-based aircraft on to trans-Tasman and medium haul international routes. Guests holding forward bookings on New Zealand domestic routes from 18 October onward will be provided with re-accommodation and refund options,”

“By year-end, V Australia will be fully devoted to international long haul business more suited to the B777 fleet, with Fiji serviced by Pacific Blue."

Key dates:

• From 6 August 2010, Brisbane - Hamilton (New Zealand) flights increase from three to four flights per week. Sydney – Hamilton flights ceased on 30 July;
• From 18 August 2010, Denpasar - Melbourne direct flights will increase from five flights per week to daily;
• From 19 August 2010, Perth – Phuket services will increase from two to three flights per week;
• From 17 September 2010, Brisbane – Dunedin services will increase from three to four flights per week; and
• From 31 October 2010, Christchurch – Melbourne frequency will increase from four flights per week to a daily service.


Virgin Blue Press release HERE

Dominion Post Stuff article HERE

Jetstar call for immigration check cuts

Jetstar has called on the Australian government to drop checks for passengers travelling to New Zealand in an effort to save on duplication, and produce a cost benefit to airlines and a GDP profit to both Australia and New Zealand.

Airline chief executive Bruce Buchanan first raised the issue almost two years ago and today told The Australian newspaper that removing controls on one side of the Tasman would remove the duplication involved in performing customs, immigration and quarantine on both sides of the Tasman.

Full report from stuff.co.nz HERE