- Air New Zealand is the national flag carrier airline of New Zealand. It was founded in 1940 and has its headquarters in Auckland. The airline operates a fleet of modern aircraft and offers domestic and international flights to destinations in Australia, the Pacific Islands, Asia, North America, South America, and Europe. Air New Zealand is known for its friendly service, in-flight entertainment, and comfortable seating options. The airline is a member of the Star Alliance, which allows passengers to earn and redeem frequent flyer points across a network of partner airlines.