For international flights, Air New Zealand recommends that you allow three hours. For domestic flights connecting to international flights, allow 60 minutes. There's no online check-in facility at present.

Hand luggage: Economy flyers may bring one bag, with maximum total dimensions of 118cm (46in) and weight 7kg (15lb), plus one personal item such as a purse, laptop or briefcase.

Checked: Varies depending on the class. Economy-Class travellers may bring one piece with a maximum weight of 23kg (50lbs). Premium-Economy passengers may bring two pieces, each weighing up to 23kg.

Excess: From London Heathrow the first additional piece costs £70, the second costs £120 (so, £190 for two additional pieces). The third and subsequent pieces of luggage cost £150. The overweight charge for bags that weigh more than 23kg but less than 32kg is £70.

Pacific Economy: 81cm (32in)

Seats may be reserved during the booking process or via the Retrieve your booking section.

Ticket details can be changed by calling the reservations centre (telephone number below). Charges apply and vary by destination.

Infants fly, seated in a parent's lap, for 10 per cent of the adult fare (international flights). On domestic flights in New Zealand infants fly free of charge (not allocated a seat). Children between two and 11 years (inclusive) pay 75 per cent of the adult fare on long-haul international flights (excludes Business Class fares).

Air New Zealand doesn't offer discounts to older travellers.

On international flights, pets travel as cargo.

Musical instruments not exceeding 100cm in length may be considered as one standard piece of luggage.

There are more than 20 special meals available to meet religious and dietary needs. Special meals for children are available on long-haul flights. For entertainment, some international flights have an individual on-demand system.

Airpoints

There’s nothing like heading up in the skies to work up an appetite. Check out the airline’s menu before you fly so you can decide if you need to bring any extras. Read about the food available in-flight on the airline's Cuisine and Wine page on its website; or see photographs taken by fellow flyers of meals they’ve been served and read reviews at AirlineMeals.net.

Moby Dick, War and Peace, Leaves of Grass … Do you need to pack a weighty tome or will the in-flight magazine keep you happily occupied for the duration of the flight? Air New Zealand's in-flight magazine, Kia Ora, is published monthly and available on domestic NZ flights.

Air New Zealand is a member of the Star Alliance group, which includes Air Canada, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, bmi, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, SAS, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Thai Airways, United Airlines, and US Airways.

Beginning in 1940 with flying boat flights across Tasmania, and expanding in 1951 to a flying boat service known as the Coral Route — from Auckland via Fiji and the Cook Islands to Tahiti — Air New Zealand, headquartered in Auckland, now serves New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific islands with flights to and from North America, Europe and Asia. From Heathrow, it flies direct to several destinations including Vancouver, San Francisco and Abu Dhabi.

The airline has become known for its eye-catching advertising and safety videos (starring the All Blacks rugby team and Richard Simmons among others).