Air New Zealand Used To Have A London Crew Base

For many flag carriers, the hub-and-spoke network models typically utilized by such airlines mean that their pilots and cabin crew are based in the operator’s home country. They will then work on flights out of bases within the nation in question and either return home at the end of the day or spend the night at the destination of their flight. However, for Air New Zealand, things used to be a little bit different.

London calling

Indeed, this was because the carrier also had a cabin crew base located on the other side of the world, in the British capital city of London. Air New Zealand served the ‘big smoke’ for almost four decades, starting back in August 1982. This came just after it began flying Boeing 747 quadjets.

Back then, Air New Zealand flew from Auckland to London Gatwick Airport via Papeete and Los Angeles twice weekly. In the late 1980s, the carrier experimented by having one of these flights stop in Dallas rather than Los Angeles and also dabbled with stopping in Honolulu rather than Papeete. Later on, the arrival of newer 747s with longer ranges meant that they could fly straight to the US.

Photo: Boeing

The arrival of the 747-400 was a key factor in forging the Auckland-Los Angeles-London routing that we came to know and love over the years. However, it wasn’t until 1994 that Air New Zealand’s preferred London airport switched from Gatwick to Heathrow. The carrier also experimented with en-route stopovers in Hong Kong.

More than 100 London-based employees

Over the years, Air New Zealand’s London-bound flights increased from a twice-weekly affair to daily departures. As a result of the carrier’s increasing presence in the capital, it opted to open a base there, allowing it to recruit London-based cabin crew. This was a strong statement, but all good things must come to an end.

In 2019, Air New Zealand announced its plans to cease serving London in October 2020 due to competition reducing its market share. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 prompted the carrier to bring this closure forward, spelling the end for its 130 London-based flight attendants. Leeanne Langridge, Air New Zealand’s General Manager for Cabin Crew, stated at the time:

“The increasing travel restrictions due to COVID-19 are having a significant impact on bookings and flight cancellations. While this is a tough decision, it’s important we take action now to responsibly manage Air New Zealand through this difficult period to maintain a national airline that is fit for the future.”

Still a global player

Despite the closure of Air New Zealand’s London cabin crew base, the carrier still has a significant overseas footprint. Notably, it continues to connect Auckland with various US destinations, just without continuing to London Heathrow.

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Last year, Air New Zealand launched Auckland to New York flights with its Boeing 787s. In September, the carrier celebrated the first anniversary of the new flagship route with a love letter to the Big Apple. This show of affection to the US metropolis perhaps shows that the carrier has moved on from its long-term relationship with London and has its eyes firmly set on New York when it comes to Northern Hemisphere cities.

After all, Kiwis primarily have to fly with other airlines and stop in the likes of Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, and Doha as the most efficient way to head to the capital of the UK. Nonetheless, the airline has strong partnerships with the likes of Virgin Atlantic, Singapore Airlines, and Cathay Pacific when it comes to connections.

Still, the airline is well remembered (although probably for incorrect reasons) by the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry himself, who said his family booked a first-class ticket from Mexico to the UK. Air New Zealand found humor in the remark, joking that it is introducing Sussex Class on its flights.

With the air travel industry moving out of recovery and into growth, perhaps there could be inspiration for Air New Zealand to return to London. Still, there are no firm plans announced, and we will have to wait to see how this next chapter of aviation unfolds.

Did you know about Air New Zealand’s former London cabin crew base? Perhaps you even flew with the carrier on this route back in the day? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!