Announcing Kiwi Link North America 2009
Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand are pleased to invite you and your team to the bi annual North American training event, KIWI LINK. KIWI LINK 2009 will take place on March 28th and 29th at the Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel in Vancouver, and April 3rd to 5th 2009 at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, Los Angeles. Come along to meet with the New Zealand industry and go in the draw to win a trip to New Zealand as well as other exciting giveaways throughout the event.
For information on the Vancouver event please visit:
http://www.newzealand.com/travel/trade/trade-news-events/trade-events/kiwi-link-north-america-2009---canada.cfm
For information on the Los Angeles event please visit:
http://www.newzealand.com/travel/trade/trade-news-events/trade-events/kiwi-link-north-america-2009---usa.cfm
Registrations open November 17th so be sure to register early for this exciting and informative training event.
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Air New Zealand Introduces Seat Request Service
Book your customers' seats online now with our new Seat Request service and make your job easier and your customers' journey even better.
Request now – for USA agents: https://flightbookings.airnewzealand.com/isbook_en_US/seatRequest/
Coming soon – for Canada agents
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Air New Zealand Move to new LHR terminal from 04 Jul 08 - View | Download
After more than 10 years of flying from Terminal 3 at London Heathrow, Air New Zealand is moving to Terminal 1, Zone R from Friday 4 July 2008.
Air New Zealand passengers flying into or out of Heathrow from this date will be amongst the first to experience the exciting transformation that is taking place as almost the entire airport is redesigned, rebuilt or refurbished over the next few years.
The move also marks the beginning of the Star Alliance project to bring all member airlines together under one roof at Heathrow by 2012. Both Air New Zealand and United Airlines will relocate at a similar time with the second phase of the move scheduled for the latter part of 2008 which will coincide with the closure of Terminal 2.
All Star Alliance member carriers presently operating in Terminal 2 - Austrian, Lufthansa, SWISS, TAP Portugal and regional member carrier Croatia Airlines - are scheduled to move to Terminal 1 during October and November.
Air New Zealand premium passengers will use the new Star Alliance lounge also opening in Terminal 1 from July. This will be the largest lounge on the Star Alliance network and will be available to all First and Business Class passengers and Star Alliance Gold Card holders travelling on any of the member airlines operating from Terminal 1.
Terminal 1 is undergoing a modern and spacious transformation to create a simple, easy to use check-in experience which will reduce congestion and create quicker processing times. The ultimate aim is that for 95% of the time passenger security queues should be five minutes or less. There will also be a refreshed arrivals area and immigration hall and the entire baggage system is being upgraded to ensure fast efficient delivery of baggage within and between terminals. This new system will also help reduce minimum connection times for both international and domestic flights arriving and departing Terminal 1 to 75 minutes.
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Air New Zealand Introduce an Inflight Concierge service from 28 May 08 - View | Download
From 28 May 2008, Air New Zealand will be Launching “Concierge in the Sky Service” across our long-haul flights.
Air New Zealand is revolutionizing the long-haul customer travel experience with the introduction of an in-flight International Airline concierge service, a first in the industry. The new service launches in May on our Auckland, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver and Hong Kong Routes. Air New Zealand will employ up to 90 Concierge staff, who will be dedicated to making every journey a special event.
The new International Airline concierge service will offer a combination of travel advisers, loyalty and destination experts who focus on supporting customers’ travel needs. Concierge service staff duties include escorting passengers to and from the aircraft, recommending “must-do” Kiwi activities, assisting customers with onward bookings, and provide recommendations on our in-flight wine selections.
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Air New Zealand Move to 100% ET for BSP Agents from 01 JUN 08
AIR NEW ZEALAND 100% E-TICKETING
The following information outlines changes in accordance with the withdrawal of paper tickets as it relates to Air New Zealand (086) ticket stock in Canada, Mexico, and all other BSP markets.
As you are aware, IATA has set a deadline of 31 May 2008 for the withdrawal of paper tickets from all BSP's (this is not applicable to tickets issued in the USA where paper tickets will still be issued and processed through ARC). This means that from 1 June 2008 onwards, you will be unable to issue a BSP supplied neutral paper ticket and you will only be able to issue BSP Electronic Tickets (ET). IATA will shortly be embarking on a process to recover their paper ticket stock from you.
Air New Zealand has a well developed ET capability and you will be able to fulfil most of your customer’s requirements on an NZ (086) ET including itineraries containing travel on our interline partners.
Attached, please find a Quick Reference Flow Chart and FAQ document that will further explain various ticketing scenarios and situations where an e-ticket can or can not be issued.
As of 01 June 2008:
- All e-ticket eligible journeys must be issued via an ET (refer to ‘E’ indicator in availability display in your GDS).
- Air New Zealand will continue to accept and honour all paper tickets issued prior to 1 June 2008 for travel on/after 01 June 2008.
What should you do if you cannot issue an ET?
In all the circumstances from 01 June 08, where the attached flowchart indicates that you require a paper ticket, please contact your Sales Support desk at 1-800-287-2007 for Canada, and (55) 5511 5215 (Mexico) for Latin America. Our hours are 9am to 5pm Pacific Standard Time Monday through Friday.
A paper ticket will then be sent to you. It is important to allow sufficient time for this process to take place. As a guide, please allow a minimum of 5 working days to request a paper ticket. There will be no Service Fee for paper tickets ONLY in instances where it is not possible for you to produce an ET through your GDS.
Please note that the NZ’s airport service desks will have limited facilities to support paper tickets. Customers must be in possession of an ET or a paper ticket issued on or before 31May08 before arriving at the airport. Paper tickets requiring changes after 31May08 must be referred to the Air New Zealand Travel Centre in Los Angeles prior to departure.
It is also important to note that PNR's cannot contain a combination of ET and paper tickets. A PNR must be fulfilled by an ET or where necessary, a paper ticket but not both. Also, please be aware that Air New Zealand does not have the ability to convert paper tickets to e-tickets.
What if your office issues a paper ticket after 31 May 2008 by mistake?
Inevitably, some agents will still be in possession of neutral paper ticket stock after 31 May 2008, it is important that these are not utilised after 31 May 2008 in any circumstance for travel on NZ (086). If this stock is utilised and a paper ticket issued, you will be unable to report this through your BSP return as it will be rejected by IATA. This becomes an unreported sale and your customers will be required to purchase another ticket at the airport in order to travel.
Air New Zealand expects that there will be a relatively small number of circumstances which will require a paper ticket post 31st May. Those circumstances will progressively reduce as ET capabilities are enhanced.
Please refer to the attached Air New Zealand Quick Reference Flow Chart and FAQ document below that will further explain the various ticketing scenarios. Travel Agents should continue to refer to the relevant Air New Zealand and IATA updates or contact their GDS help desk. If you are still unsure about what to do, please contact Air New Zealand Sales Support.
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