Air New Zealand has released updates to its in-flight videos in New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL), making them more accessible to passengers in Aotearoa.
According to the airline, in a world-first, Air New Zealand yesterday operated a flight on which the cabin crew communicated with customers using New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL).
During the inaugural flight, the cabin crew used NZSL to sign inflight announcements and onboard service offerings.
The flight marked the start of NZSL Week, which runs from 6-12 May, with five flight attendants on board the flight all holding a basic understanding of NZSL.
Passengers on NZ421 flights from Auckland to Wellington were provided with illustrated cards featuring New Zealand Sign Language signs for common inflight items such as “water”, “cookie” and “lolly”, encouraging them to try using NZSL.
The initiative was led by Air New Zealand’s Enable Network, which is an internal group that supports employees who have a personal disability or care for someone with a disability.
NZSL Week ambassador Jon Tai-Rakena, who was among them, said the initiative was a great step towards better inclusion for the Deaf community.
“I love to fly and go to new places, but travelling as a Deaf person can feel isolating at times,” Tai-Rakena said.
“This flight demonstrates a level of inclusion that makes Deaf people feel seen and welcomed onboard. It was exciting to be part of it and I hope there will be more NZSL in the sky and on the ground as Kiwis start to adopt more of our beautiful language.”
Air New Zealand Senior Aircraft Programmes Manager and Enable Network Lead Ed Collett added that the airline had been working hard to enable more employees to use NZSL.
“We’re thrilled we could support NZSL Week and recognise its importance as an official language of Aotearoa by encouraging our crew to show their signing skills on this flight,” Collett said.
“Last year, we worked with Deaf Aotearoa to create an NZSL training module for our people, giving them the opportunity to learn 30 travel-related signs.
“It’s been hugely popular, with around 400 Air New Zealanders completing it. Customers can look out for crew wearing the special NZSL Supporter lapel pin, which indicates the wearer has started their NZSL journey.”
Around 30 passengers onboard the flight were travelling to Wellington to attend the NZSL Awards hosted at Parliament.
Deaf Aotearoa CEO Lachlan Keating who was also onboard the flight said that it was great to see so many Air New Zealand crew and customers using NZSL.
“This year’s theme for NZSL Week is ‘an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere’, and there was no better example of this than on NZ421 today,” she remarked.
“The more Kiwis incorporate NZSL into their everyday lives, the more inclusive our society is for our Deaf community.”
For more information on New Zealand Sign Language Week, click here.
Last year, Air New Zealand launched the introduction of its new paid seat option for passengers seeking extra ‘Legroom’.
