Air New Zealand guests will have fewer opportunities to get bored mid-flight now that they have approval to keep their mobiles and tablets on during their journey.
New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority granted permission for the carrier to extend use of electronic devices on regional services, so long as they’re switched to flight mode.
Previously, inflight electronics use throughout the entire journey (including taxi- take-off and landing) was only permitted to international services and a few domestic operations.
However, from 4 November it will be extended to regional flights, meaning passengers can listen to their own music as they take-off, read their e-book during touch down or watch pre-downloaded TV shows and movies as they taxi on the runway.
Additionally, they’ll be able to keep their mobile phones on as they cross the tarmac, however, they still won’t be able to use the device.
Air New Zealand’s General Manager Customer Experience, Carrie Hurihanganui, said the airline is focused on providing guests with complete use to technology to ensure they enjoy the flight at all phases.
“We’re very excited to be expanding this to our turboprop fleets and giving customers travelling on regional services more freedom to use their electronic devices right throughout their journey from home through to arrival at their destination.”
Carrie Hurihanganui, Air New Zealand General Manager Customer Experience
Meanwhile, this week the airline lifted its cash profit to $7.22 billion for the 12 months to 30 September – a rise of one percent on the prior year’s $7.12 billion.
Despite the increase, the result was at the lower end of expectations.