Air New Zealand opens domestic and regional lounges with limited services
by Seher AsafAir New Zealand has opened a number of its domestic and regional lounges in New Zealand with limited services as the carrier resumes some of its domestic flights amid the easing of lockdown restrictions in the country.
The airline will welcome passengers back to its Auckland Regional, Wellington Domestic and Christchurch Domestic lounges, along with nine of its regional airport lounges. This includes regional lounges in Hamilton, Tauranga, Napier, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Nelson, Queenstown, Dunedin and Invercargill.
The lounges will be operating “slightly differently to what people are used to”, said Air New Zealand’s general manager customer experience Nikki Goodman.
“In line with government regulations, our self-service buffet won’t be available. Instead, customers will be required to be seated once they enter the lounge and there’ll be table service with packaged snacks on offer, as well as beverages,” said Goodman.
The lounges will not be serving alcohol, but the carrier said more food and alcohol options will be introduced “in the coming weeks”. Only a a maximum of 100 people can be in any lounge.
“We know those travelling will be looking forward to once again being able to order a flat white before they fly and in lounges with a barista, customers will be given the choice of ordering through the Air New Zealand app, or through their server,” she added.
Auckland Domestic lounge remains closed as it undergoes refurbishment, the carrier said.
Air New Zealand’s international lounges in New Zealand and abroad “remain closed until further notice”.