28 Jun 2019

NZ plane passengers less likely to offset carbon footprint - Air New Zealand

1:28 pm on 28 June 2019

Air New Zealand customers in the United Kingdom are more than twice as likely to offset the carbon impact of their flights than those based in New Zealand or Australia.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - DECEMBER 17: Air New Zealand Airbus A320 landing at Auckland International Airport on December 17, 2017 in Auckland

Photo: 123RF

Data gathered on customer habits in the 2019 financial year shows almost 10 percent of British customers chose to offset their flying impact compared with 4.6 percent of New Zealanders and 4.2 percent of Australians.

The airline said there was a 34.5 percent increase on 2018 figures in the number of its passengers worldwide choosing to fly carbon neutral - offsetting more than 174,400 trips or 50,000 tonnes of carbon.

The airline operated more than 190,000 flights with its most frequent flier clocking up 522,602 kilometres in the air.

Other 2018/2019 customer statistics:

  • More than 6.3 million inflight meals were served
  • More than 960,000 ice creams and 900,000 portions of NZ cheese served on international flights leaving New Zealand
  • Close to 5.8 million glasses of New Zealand wines poured, with pinot noir the most popular choice
  • Airline staff served 5.8m cups of coffee and 5.2m cups of tea inflight
  • Bohemian Rhapsody was the most popular movie, watched more than 162,000 times
  • The Beatles pipped Queen as the most popular artist, attracting more than 600,000 hits
  • 15.5m lollies were munched
No caption

Photo: Supplied

Customers flying from London to Los Angeles on 15 March - the date of the Christchurch shooting tragedy - had the highest wi-fi uptake in the past year.

Air New Zealand's chief marketing and customer officer, Mike Tod, said every aspect of cabin operations was being reviewed as the airline prepared for its new long-haul fleet.

Last month Air New Zealand announced the purchase of eight Boeing 787-10 aircraft to replace its 777-200 fleet. The first aircraft is expected to arrive from late 2022.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs