Air NZ releases Apple Watch app

Apple CEO Tim Cook talks about the new Apple Watch. Photo /AP

Air New Zealand has jumped onto the Apple bandwagon quickly, saying today it developed an app for the Apple Watch launched in San Francisco just this morning.

App users will be able to receive flight information and notifications from Air New Zealand on their Apple Watch, including boarding calls, a departure countdown feature and their electronic boarding pass.

Those eligible for lounge access will also be able to order coffee from participating Air New Zealand lounges on the device.

Apple's unveiled the smart watch - including a $10,000 model made of a specially formulated strong gold alloy - this morning.

Other, more simpler models will sell for US$349 (NZ$473).

New Zealand fans will have to wait until later in the year to get their hands on the product, with Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the UK and the US first to see them from April 10.

Chief executive Tim Cook said that Apple Watch would allow users to "make calls, read email, control music, manage Instagram photos, keep up with your workout, pay for groceries, open your hotel room door".

He also promised an 18-hour battery life for the watch.

Image 1 of 9: Apple CEO Tim Cook explains the features of the new Apple Watch. Photo/AP

Air New Zealand chief information officer Julia Raue said the airline's developers visited Apple in California during the development of the app.

"We are continually looking at ways to enhance the customer experience and digital plays a key role in this.

"Our new Apple Watch app will allow us to provide real time flight updates to our customers in a unique way.

"We're looking forward to introducing it to our customers in the coming weeks."

Air New Zealand introduced a coffee-ordering function on its smartphone app in 2014.

It automatically invites customers to order their coffee as they enter the lounge and alerts the customer when it is ready to be picked up from the barista station.user