Anyone who has flown across the Tasman or beyond knows the difference between a smooth flight and a frustrating one. Air New Zealand has built a reputation that keeps passengers returning, but how does it actually perform in 2024? In its latest financial year, the airline reported earnings before taxation of $222 million and on‑time performance of 79.4% — two numbers that tell part of the story, but not all of it.
On-time performance (FY2024): 79.4% · Airpoints members: 4.6 million · Profit before tax (FY2024): $222 million
Quick snapshot
- On-time performance of 79.4% in FY2024 (Listcorp — financial news aggregator)
- Airpoints membership exceeded 4.6 million worldwide (Listcorp)
- Earnings before taxation of $222 million for FY2024 (Listcorp)
- The exact ranking of the “worst airline to fly right now” is subjective and changes frequently (Listcorp)
- How aircraft availability challenges will affect future performance remains uncertain (Listcorp)
- Customer sentiment on third‑party platforms may not represent the overall passenger experience (Listcorp)
- Air New Zealand released its FY2024 annual results on 2024-08-29 (NZX — official stock exchange announcement)
- Total ordinary dividend of 3.5 cents per share paid out for FY2024 (NZX)
- Airline faces ongoing aircraft availability pressure, which had an estimated $100 million adverse impact (Listcorp)
Five key data points from the airline’s latest annual results provide a concise picture of its performance.
| Metric | Value (FY2024) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| On-time performance | 79.4% | Listcorp |
| Airpoints membership | 4.6 million | Listcorp |
| Airpoints year‑on‑year growth | 14% | Listcorp |
| Earnings before taxation | $222 million | Listcorp |
| Final dividend per share | 1.5 cents | NZX |
| Adverse impact from aircraft availability | ~$100 million | Listcorp |
Is Air NZ a good airline?
Six data points from official financial reports and customer feedback platforms help answer this question. The short version: financially the airline is solid, but customer sentiment online tells a more mixed story.
Financial health
Air New Zealand reported earnings before taxation of $222 million for FY2024, according to its annual results (Listcorp). On‑time performance reached 79.4%, and Airpoints membership grew 14% year‑on‑year to 4.6 million. These figures suggest a carrier that is operationally stable and growing its loyalty base.
Customer reviews
On Trustpilot, Air New Zealand holds a TrustScore of 1.5 out of 5 based on 70 reviews (Trustpilot). That score places it among the lower‑rated airlines on that platform, though the sample size is small. Some travelers on the Executive Traveller forum describe Air New Zealand as “friendly and personable” while others say Qantas feels “more polished and higher‑end” (Executive Traveller community discussion).
Safety record
While specific safety data isn’t publicly broken out in the 2024 results, Air New Zealand has historically held strong safety credentials. The airline did not disclose any safety incidents in its FY2024 reporting.
Which NZ airline is the best?
Based on industry awards and operational metrics, Air New Zealand is often ranked as the leading New Zealand carrier. It has been named World’s Best Airline seven times in ten years by AirlineRatings.com, and its on‑time performance and loyalty program growth support that reputation. No other New Zealand airline matches its network size or award record.
What’s the worst airline to fly right now?
This ranking is subjective and changes with recent incidents. Air New Zealand does not appear on most “worst airline” lists; its financial stability and operational metrics are solid. The label more often attaches to carriers with systemic delays, safety issues, or poor customer service — none of which currently define Air New Zealand.
Which airlines are partners with Air NZ?
Air New Zealand is a member of the Star Alliance, giving passengers access to a global network of 26 member airlines. The airline also maintains codeshare partnerships with carriers including United Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and Cathay Pacific. These agreements allow seamless connections on routes not served directly by Air New Zealand.
Is Air NZ part of Virgin?
No. Air New Zealand is not part of the Virgin Group. It is a stand‑alone airline and a member of the Star Alliance. Virgin Australia was previously partly owned by Air New Zealand, but that stake was sold in 2016. There is no current corporate or alliance link between Air New Zealand and any Virgin-branded airline.
Can I fly direct to Ireland?
Air New Zealand does not offer direct flights from New Zealand to Ireland. The most practical routes connect through hub airports such as London Heathrow, Dubai, or Los Angeles, often in partnership with other Star Alliance carriers like United Airlines or Lufthansa.
Does Air New Zealand fly to Ireland?
No, Air New Zealand does not operate flights to Ireland. Passengers can book flights to Ireland via codeshare agreements — for example, flying from Auckland to London with Air New Zealand, then connecting to Dublin with a partner airline. The airline’s network covers 28 international destinations across 18 countries, and Ireland is not among them.
Is Air NZ or Qantas better?
A direct comparison of available FY2024 data reveals distinct strengths for each carrier. Three metrics — profitability, customer satisfaction trend, and loyalty program scale — capture the core differences.
| Metric | Air New Zealand (FY2024) | Qantas (FY2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Profit before tax | $222 million (Listcorp) | A$1.46 billion (Qantas Investors) |
| Customer satisfaction (trend) | Returned to pre‑COVID levels (Listcorp) | Net Promoter Score +5 points (Qantas Investors) |
| Loyalty program membership | 4.6 million Airpoints members (Listcorp) | Not disclosed in FY2024 investor materials |
The pattern: Qantas posted a profit roughly 6.6 times larger in Australian dollars, reflecting its larger scale. Air New Zealand, however, regained pre‑COVID satisfaction levels faster and disclosed a specific loyalty membership number, while Qantas reported a positive NPS shift without giving an absolute figure.
The trade-off: For travelers prioritizing financial stability and scale, Qantas leads. For those who value a clearly recovering satisfaction trend and a detailed loyalty program, Air New Zealand provides more transparency.
What is Air New Zealand’s on-time performance?
Air New Zealand reported on‑time performance of 79.4% for FY2024 (Listcorp). This means roughly four out of five flights arrived or departed within the standard on‑time threshold.
The airline did not break out how this compares to previous years, but the 79.4% figure places it in the middle of the pack among global carriers. Industry benchmarks for on‑time performance typically range from 75% to 85% for full‑service airlines.
How does Air New Zealand’s financial performance look in 2024?
The airline’s 2024 annual results, released on 2024‑08‑29 (NZX), show a profit before taxation of $222 million (Listcorp). A final dividend of 1.5 cents per share was declared, bringing total ordinary dividends to 3.5 cents per share (NZX).
Airpoints membership grew 14% year‑on‑year to exceed 4.6 million (Listcorp). However, the airline noted an adverse impact of approximately $100 million from aircraft availability challenges (Listcorp), indicating that fleet constraints are a real drag on earnings.
What this means: Air New Zealand is profitable and generating cash to return to shareholders, but its growth is tempered by supply‑side pressure on aircraft. If the airline can resolve those availability issues, future earnings could climb.
What are customers saying about Air New Zealand?
Customer feedback is split. On Trustpilot, the airline’s score of 1.5/5 (Trustpilot) reflects strong dissatisfaction among a small group of reviewers. In contrast, the carrier says customer satisfaction returned to pre‑COVID levels during FY2024 (Listcorp).
On the Executive Traveller forum, some travelers describe the onboard service as “friendly and personable,” while others say Qantas “feels more polished and higher‑end” (Executive Traveller community discussion). These low‑confidence, anecdotal reports suggest that passenger experience varies widely by route and cabin class.
Qantas feels more polished and higher‑end in service.
— Comment from an Executive Traveller forum participant (Executive Traveller community discussion)
Air New Zealand is friendly and personable.
— Another participant in the same Executive Traveller discussion (Executive Traveller)
The catch: The small Trustpilot sample and the forum’s self‑selecting nature mean the data is not statistically robust. For a balanced view, the airline’s own satisfaction recovery metric carries more weight than either source alone.
Timeline
- FY2024: Air New Zealand reports on‑time performance of 79.4% (Listcorp)
- 2024‑08‑29: Air New Zealand releases FY2024 annual results (NZX)
- FY2024: Qantas reports underlying profit of A$1.46 billion (Qantas Investors)
The pattern: The timeline confirms that both airlines reported strong profits in FY2024, with Air New Zealand’s results released in late August and Qantas’s earlier in the year.
What is confirmed and what is unclear
Confirmed facts
- Air New Zealand reported earnings before taxation of $222 million for FY2024 (Listcorp)
- On‑time performance in FY2024 was 79.4% (Listcorp)
- Airpoints membership exceeded 4.6 million, growing 14% year on year (Listcorp)
What’s unclear
- The specific ranking of the “worst airline to fly right now” is subjective and not derived from any single authoritative source
- The exact long‑term impact of aircraft availability challenges on future earnings is unknown (Listcorp)
- Customer sentiment on third‑party platforms may not represent the overall passenger experience
The implication: While the confirmed facts paint a picture of financial health and operational stability, the uncertainties caution against drawing firm conclusions from limited anecdotal data.
p-airnz.com, qantas.com, facebook.com, annualreports.com, reddit.com, airnewzealand.com, investor.qantas.com
Frequently asked questions
Does Air New Zealand have a loyalty program?
Yes, Airpoints. The program had over 4.6 million members as of FY2024, growing 14% year‑on‑year (Listcorp).
How does Air New Zealand’s on-time performance compare to industry averages?
The airline reported 79.4% on‑time performance for FY2024 (Listcorp). This is within the typical 75–85% range for full‑service airlines, indicating solid but not exceptional performance.
How profitable was Air New Zealand in 2024?
Earnings before taxation were $222 million for FY2024 (Listcorp).
What dividend did Air New Zealand pay?
A final dividend of 1.5 cents per share was declared, bringing total ordinary dividends to 3.5 cents per share for FY2024 (NZX).
How many Airpoints members does Air NZ have?
Membership exceeded 4.6 million worldwide as of FY2024 (Listcorp).
For travelers comparing Air New Zealand with Qantas, the numbers show a smaller but recovering player against a much larger competitor. Air New Zealand’s strengths lie in its loyalty program transparency and its return to pre‑COVID satisfaction levels, while Qantas dominates on absolute profit and scale. The choice between them depends on whether a traveler values disclosed, improving metrics or the broader network and financial heft of a bigger airline.
Daniel Harper is Editor-in-Chief at Coast Monitor, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.