The Koru goes silver

With over 12,000 journeys flown, nearly 144 million miles travelled and 48,000 meals eaten since its first UK flight launched, Air New Zealand is celebrating its silver anniversary of connecting the UK to New Zealand.

To mark the occasion, the airline is offering up to 25% off return Economy Class fares to New Zealand, Los Angeles and Hong Kong.

Fares start from £659 for a return economy class flight to New Zealand, £366 to Hong Kong and £348 to Los Angeles all including taxes. In addition anyone booking one of the special fares before 2 October will have the chance to enter a competition to get their flight for free as Air New Zealand will be giving away 25 free flights as part of the celebrations.

Since its first ever UK bound flight left Auckland on 25 August 1982, Air New Zealand has flown approximately 2.4million passengers. It has gained a loyal following within the UK from Kiwi ex-pats and Brits alike.

Dennis Eveleigh, who was a crew member on the first flight that left Auckland, and stopped in Papeete and Los Angeles before landing at London Gatwick, and is still serving today, recalls, "The first flight was a momentous occasion, with a huge send off from Auckland and equally memorable welcome in London. The Nga Tapuwae choir saw the flight off and we were met by Maori concert parties at both Los Angeles and London. Passengers were treated to kiwis, cake and floral leis during the flight and we even landed 3 minutes early - a good omen for the next 25 years!"

The airline's successful ascent from newcomer to the leading carrier to New Zealand out of the UK has been an eventful journey. Air New Zealand has played host to a number of celebrities - including Queen Elizabeth II on her first ever commercial flight in 1995. It has also created the world's biggest flying billboards when four aircraft were painted with images from the Lord of the Rings films. Most recently, Air New Zealand added a second daily flight out of the UK in October 2006, travelling East via Hong Kong - making it the only airline to circumnavigate the globe from London.

Always moving with the times, Air New Zealand has been the Madonna of airlines, reinventing its style to keep up with the changing tastes of passengers over the last quarter of a century. In 1982 it was referred to as the 'Ritz of the Skies' because of the luxurious interior and experience enjoyed by passengers. Then the fist class cabin featured light blue décor with lemon coloured sheepskin headrests and Maori motives and floral displays. Today its latest incarnation includes state of the art lie flat beds, Zambesi designed crew uniforms and menus courtesy of a number of celebrity chefs, including London based kiwi Peter Gordon.

Scott Carr, Air New Zealand's General Manager Europe, comments: "Celebrating our silver anniversary of UK flights is a fantastic milestone for us. 25 years ago, New Zealand was closely tied to the UK culturally and economically so the commencement of a regular international service between the UK and New Zealand was viewed as a huge boon for travellers from both countries. A quarter of a century on, we still have the same goal - bringing New Zealand closer."

ENDS

Media Contact:

Sarah Hopkins, Air New Zealand Communications Manager, Europe:
+ 44 (0)208 600 7657 or mobile + 44 (0) 7768 232 518
Grayling PR: Kate Woods on 020 7255 5428 / Victoria Pilkington-Miksa on 020 7255 5418

Terms and conditions

• Competition only open to people booking online at http://www.airnewzealand.co.uk/
• Percentage discount is dependent on dates of travel
• All fares subject to availability
• All pre-payable taxes are included, departing from London Heathrow
• Flights must be booked by 2nd October 2007
• Listed fares valid for travel from 16 April 2008 - 15 June 2008 (New Zealand), 1 September 2007 - 31 March 2008 (Los Angeles), 1 September 2007 - 14 December 2007 and 25 December 2007 - 31 March 2008 (Hong Kong)