“Some gates might be further than you realise, so we encourage you to please ask for help from our friendly airport team if you are worried about making it to the aircraft on time.
“We look forward to welcoming you on board this season and wish everyone travelling these holidays a safe journey.”
These are the most popular domestic and international destinations flying with the national carrier in December and January.
Queenstown
A quarter of a million people are expected to travel to and from the famous adventure town, making it the most popular domestic destination – excluding the cities – over the holiday season.
From the breathtaking backdrop of the Southern Alps, pristine lakes and proximity to some of the country’s best hikes – it’s easy to see why Queenstown ranks high on the list of places to visit.
Nelson
New Zealand’s sunshine state will expect around 155,000 people travelling to and from the region. Known for its stunning hiking and cycling trails, creative arts scene, golden sand beaches and beautiful national parks, there’s plenty to see and do.
Dunedin
Around 120,000 people will travel to and from the wildlife capital of New Zealand, proving it to be a popular destination for holidaymakers.
Built on the rim of an extinct volcano, the city is surrounded by bushy hills and the picturesque Otago Harbour. Its cute boutiques, proximity to wildlife like sea lions, albatrosses and penguins, and Gothic architecture make it one of the country’s most unique destinations.
Napier
Like Dunedin, Napier will also see around 120,000 visitors travelling to and from the region.
The coastal city is well known for its arts, vibrant food scene and misty beaches.
Australia
Our neighbours across the ditch have taken the top spot on the international list, with nearly half a million people (450,000) heading to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane during the holiday period.
Bali
For the first time this season, Air New Zealand will be flying to Bali. More than 12,000 Kiwis are expected to visit the popular holiday hotspot.
Los Angeles
From Hollywood to non-stop great shopping and the city’s convenient connections to many other destinations, Los Angeles remains a popular travel choice for Kiwis this holiday season, with more than 50,000 people travelling to and from the city.
Tokyo
An increasing number of Kiwis are jetting to Tokyo, with nearly 50,000 travelling to and from the city with the national carrier – a 20% increase from last year.
In June, data from House of Travel revealed Kiwis are booking trips to Japan in record numbers for the ski season – a 65% increase compared to previous years.
According to current exchange rates, the New Zealand dollar remains strong in Japan – making Tokyo a more affordable city for Kiwi travellers.
