An Air New Zealand flight was struck by lightning two minutes before it was due to land in Auckland this morning.

Total visitor spending in New Zealand grew by 11 per cent to $7.1 billion in the past year, driven by strong growth from the United States, Germany and China.

International airlines flew more than 1000 at-risk or ineligible people into New Zealand in a year, Immigration New Zealand figures reveal.

The strategic alliance between Air NZ and Singapore Airlines has been approved and will result in 100,000 extra seats a year on the Auckland-Singapore route.

"I did think, 'that's a bit close for comfort'." An airliner about to land at Auckland climbed sharply to avoid a potential collision with another plane taking off.

An Air New Zealand passenger who was left stranded in Hawaii last week says he is surprised the airline hasn't made more recommendations, after an investigation into the incident.

Air NZ will set up a special team to fly overseas to deal with large scale passenger disruptions following a review into the stranding of 227 passengers in Hawaii for days.

Aviation reporter Grant Bradley compares the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and its new arch-rival, the Airbus A350XWB.

As weary passengers from Air New Zealand Flight NZ09 came though the arrival gates at Auckland Airport yesterday, more stories emerged of their 56-hour ordeal.

Frustrated passengers have slammed Air NZ for poor customer service, lack of communication and sympathy, as another plane is delayed overnight in Hong Kong.

The 227 passengers who boarded Air New Zealand Flight 09 in Honolulu on a balmy Saturday night were expecting to land in Auckland about nine hours later.

Air New Zealand has issued an "unreserved apology" to 227 passengers caught up in a two day delay from Hawaii, and offered $1000 compensation.

A faulty indication system prompted Air New Zealand pilots to abort take-off during departure from Hawaii last night.

Analysts have mixed views on the outlook for the upcoming earnings season as some of NZ's biggest and most widely held firms prepare to report their annual results.

A flight attendant who worked for Air New Zealand for 24 years has been charged with bringing 25 grams of methamphetamine, with a street value of $581, into the country.

A flight attendant who worked for Air New Zealand for 24 years has been charged with bringing methamphetamine into the country concealed in his uniform jacket.

Thick fog has blanketed Auckland city this morning, affecting domestic and international flights and making driving through the city a short-sighted experience.

The arrival of Air NZ's first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner does not herald the start of lower airfares - but travellers will get access to new international destinations.

Air New Zealand's long anticipated Dreamliner has touched down at Auckland Airport.

Seated in the middle of economy with four seats to either side, my view outside the window couldn't be clearer.

Passengers on board an Air NZ flight from Perth to Auckland are alarmed at the behaviour of the pilots, which lead to the captain locking his co-pilot out of the cockpit.

The woman who died aboard an Air New Zealand flight late last week was a New Zealander.

Two Air New Zealand pilots were stood down and their cabin crew offered counselling after a frightening mid-air incident on a packed transtasman flight.

Air NZ chief Christopher Luxon will take his place on an expanded Virgin Australia board as that airline continues its struggle to make money in the tough Australian market.

Air New Zealand passengers will now be able to use their handheld portable electronic devices in flight mode for the entire duration of their journey.

Air New Zealand’s first 787 Dreamliner touches down next week. Grant Bradley reports on the airline’s high hopes for its revolutionary new plane.