Air New Zealand is a big passenger airline from Auckland , New Zealand . It flies mainly in Australasia and South Pacific , but it also has services to Europe , North America and Asia . It is a Star Alliance member. It joined the alliance in 1999. ^[1] Its main base or hub is Auckland International Airport .

History [ change | change source ]

In 1940, TEAL was founded. Its first flights were from Auckland to Sydney and Wellington. Later, flights to Fiji , Samoa , Tahiti and the Cook Islands were added. ^[2] The Australian government bought 50% of TEAL in 1953. The remaining 50% was owned by the Government of New Zealand . In 1961, the airline became completely owned by the Government of New Zealand. TEAL was officially renamed Air New Zealand on April 1, 1965. The airline bought Douglas DC-8 airplanes in July 1965. These were used for longer routes to Honolulu and Los Angeles . ^[3] A larger Boeing 747 was bought in 1981. Air New Zealand bought Ansett Australia in 2000. Ansett later went out of business.

Gallery [ change | change source ]

• 
  The old logo used from 1996 until 2012
• 
  The new logo introduced in 2012
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  Air New Zealand's self-service check-in
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  Air New Zealand had DC-10 's from 1973 until 1982 ^[4]
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  Air New Zealand Boeing 747
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  A new Air New Zealand Boeing 787
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  An air New Zealand 777,its second lagest plane.

Destinations [ change | change source ]

Air New Zealand serves the following destinations:

References [ change | change source ]