Air New Zealand Receives Third Domestic Airbus A321neo
The larger aircraft will boost domestic capacity by 200,000 seats per year.
Air New Zealand has welcomed its latest member to join the family, with the delivery of its third domestic configured Airbus A321neo touching down at Auckland International Airport (AKL) on Tuesday, February 21. The aircraft, registered as ZK-OYC, had made the 18,000km (11,184 miles) delivery flight from Hamburg, Germany.
Topping up domestic capacity
With the aircraft poised for domestic operations, the latest arrival will top up almost 50 extra seats, when compared with its current A320 fleet. The new aircraft will predominantly be deployed on the airline’s routes between Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown and Wellington. The specially configured A321neos will add 200,000 more seats per year.
With Air New Zealand’s fleet, on average, less than 7.3 years old, the airline holds one of the youngest fleets in the world. Two more neos are expected for delivery this year, with a further two poised to join the fleet in 2026.
With this being the airline’s third domestic configuration, it has some slight differences from its international counterpart. The jets have differently positioned toilets, with the domestic-focused aircraft having two at the aft and one at the front. Meanwhile, international A321neos see three lavatories distributed differently. One at the front, one in middle, and the third located aft.
Domestic A321s also have less legroom, as well as an absence of “Space+” seats. Domestic aircraft also lack inflight entertainment systems, while seatback screens appear on their international counterparts.
Sporting the standard Air New Zealand livery
This aircraft is dressed in the standard livery of a white fuselage, with the distinct black tail including the ‘koru’ and ‘fern’, unlike the second Airbus A321neo, which is the world’s first black-liveried Star Alliance aircraft.
After the airline’s second delivery of the A321neo, Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Sales Officer Leanne Geraghty told Simple Flying:
“We’re focused on growing our domestic network and this A321neo is especially configured for domestic flying to add almost 50 additional seats per flight compared to our A320s. Our customers have told us departing on schedule and reaching their destination on time is incredibly important.”
ZK-OYC’s long journey home
The delivery of Air New Zealand’s latest Airbus A321neo kicked off on Saturday, February 18, and followed the below route, and all operated as NZ6093:
- Sector one departed Hamburg Finkenwerder Airport (XFW) Saturday, February 18, at 11:06, arriving at Muscat International Airport (MCT) at 21:19 on the same day
- Sector two departed Muscat International Airport (MCT) Sunday, February 19, at 10:42, arriving at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) at 21:55 on the same day
