Air NZ is investigating a new luxury lounge

Air New Zealand has confirmed it’s investigating a new luxury lounge for frequent flyers. The airline surveyed its Airpoints members last year about potential new perks but has consistently stayed tight-lipped about what changes would be introduced — or when they’d be available. However, the airline’s former Head of Loyalty, Kate O’Brien, gave a big hint that a new lounge could be on the way in a presentation with investors during Air New Zealand’s Investor Day late last year. During the presentation, O’Brien mentioned that a couple of the ideas it had floated with Airpoints members “had tested really well,” including “access to an Elite and Business Class-only lounge at Auckland International”. Mentioning it to key investors is a strong indication the airline is serious about the idea. Currently, Air NZ operates three lounges in Auckland: two at the domestic airport (one for jet flights, the other for turboprop regional flights) and one at the international terminal. These lounges are often packed at peak times, with seating at a premium — which has been a source of frustration for some passengers. Air NZ wouldn’t give any more details about the new Elite lounge, with its General Manager of Customer Experience, Kylie McGillivray-Brown, saying “We are doing some work to explore what the redevelopment at Auckland Airport might mean for our lounge spaces in the future, including access to an Elite and Business Class-only lounge at Auckland International Airport.”<br/>