Low-cost airline Jetstar is launching a new daily direct service between Auckland and Singapore in time for the Rugby World Cup.

It's easy to feel a bit cynical when airlines and aircraft manufacturers proclaim the dawning of a new age for passengers.

Air NZ says reports one of its planes was on a collision course with another aircraft are nothing more than "sensationalist" media coverage.

An investigation has begun into why a Virgin Australia Boeing 777 and an Air New Zealand 767 were on a collision course in Fiji air space last month.

Keeping cellphones off during flights will soon be a thing of the past with Air New Zealand set to introduce new aircraft with mobile and internet services later this year.

Air New Zealand is increasing its international capacity by 4.9 per cent and domestic capacity by 3.8 per cent as it starts to see a recovery in air travel.

Claims from travelers disrupted by the Iceland volcano have topped half a million dollars, one of NZ's leading travel insurance companies says.

An experienced helicopter pilot from has been killed after hitting power lines in Australia after surviving a similar accident in 2008.

A plane has successfully landed despite problems with its landing gear that forced it to abort several landing attempts.

Air New Zealand has begun hiring new cabin crew - but is not offering jobs to any of the flight attendants made redundant in last year's downturn.

Air NZ has taken an unusual approach as it defends itself from claims an alliance with Virgin will mean an inevitable downgrade of its services.