Covering news, views and photos of activities in the New Zealand and Australian Domestic, trans tasman and international aviation scene. If you didn't get to this blog via my website nzompilot.info - check it out now
Sometimes there just isn't enough time in the day to write a full blog post, but that doesn't mean it's not covered. Often its covered on the NZ Aviation Notes Facebook page.
Its good news for passengers on NZ1/2 transiting between AKL and LHR at LAX with US Customs approving a move that will allow NZ transit pax to avoid having to go through standard security queues to access the terminal during transit.
The system, which has been trialled for several months, still requires
transit passengers to complete the standard US visa. But they're then
issued with a special 'token' and can forego the usual security queue.
This should make the transit process a lot nicer for passengers who are now able to access the Air New Zealand lounge or the general (airside) terminal including shops/amenities etc, instead of previously being forced into a gate lounge during transit.
Once again reprising their role as "Airline to middle earth" Air New Zealand have gone full tilt into "Hobbit fever" as has Wellington Airport "the middle of middle earth" and Wellington in general.
I've already shown you the Unexpected Journey inflight safety video but now its time to check out Boeing 777-319ERZK-OKP in its hobbit decal as well as other hobbit things from Air New Zealand and Wellington International Airport.
The above photo's show OKP being revealed in Auckland then her in Los Angeles and London. Air New Zealand, the below video is a time lapse of the application of the decals to the aircraft. Also not the black tail with white koru and new font for the Air New Zealand titles - the first time this new livery has been applied to an aircraft
Air New Zealand have also added video's of J.R.R. Tolkein's Great Grandson Royd to their line up
See their interview with Royd HERE & staged footage of him checking in for his flight to Wellington HERE Wellington Airport have also gone all out on their hobbit promotion the below photos are from their facebook page
Inside the terminal above & the outside airside view below
They have also decked out their luggage collection area in the hobbit theme as seen below (source Air New Zealand's facebook)
And finally ZK-OKP landing in Wellington today with Hobbit cast & VIP's on board (source Air New Zealand facebook)
Also check out Mike's blog MRC Aviation for more coverage of OKP's roll out & flashback to the 4 LOTR themed aircraft, Air New Zealand had for the launch of the LOTR trilogy.
Air New Zealand have announced the end of their London - Hong Kong services NZ35/NZ38 effective 4 March 2013.
In a separate move which is part of Air New Zealand’s strategy to
implement an alliance based network with a Pacific Rim focus, the
airline has also formed a strategic agreement with Cathay Pacific on the
Auckland – Hong Kong route.
Air New Zealand have announced that passengers booked on the HKG-LHR-HKG portion of NZ35/38 after 4/3/13 will be rebooked onto Cathay Pacific services.
Both Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific will continue their current schedule on AKL-HKG-AKL services.
Outgoing Air New Zealand CEO Rob Fyfe has mentioned that the freed capacity will be redeployed into already announced additional North American services.
