Inside Air NZ's new domestic jet that fits almost 50 more passengers

Air New Zealand's biggest-ever jet dedicated to domestic flying has landed in Auckland, and will be in the skies above Aotearoa in just a few days. The A321neo will seat 217 passengers, 46 more than the current Air New Zealand domestic jets that fly around the country. That means staff will need to board the plane earlier than usual to ensure it can get away on time. "With the exciting introduction of the larger A321neo domestic aircraft, we'll commence boarding five minutes earlier and encourage all customers to be at the gate ready to board at minimum, 15 minutes before departure, to ensure an on-time departure," explained Leanne Geraghty Air New Zealand's Chief Customer and Sales Officer. The A321neo is a stretch version of the popular A320, and passengers can look forward to more fuel-efficient engines, a quieter ride and larger overhead lockers. 'Neo' stands for "new engine option" and is roughly 15% more fuel-efficient than comparable models. The A321neo was first introduced to Air New Zealand's fleet in 2018 and is used for international flying to places like Australia and the islands – although it occasionally pops up on the domestic network. These planes are equipped with WiFi and seatback screens for entertainment. However, the new A321s will be exclusively used for domestic and won't have extra features like WiFi or seatback screens.<br/>