Air New Zealand adds Tokyo capacity – Business Traveller
While in Japan this week, Air New Zealand chief executive officer Greg Foran has shared that the Star Alliance airline will add 30,000 seats to its Tokyo route from November to March.
The increase is a result of the airline’s larger Boeing 777-300ER aircraft flying more frequently to Japan. Air New Zealand currently deploys both the 777-300ER and the smaller 787-9 Dreamliner on Auckland-Narita.
With 342 seats, including 44 in business class and 54 in premium economy, the Air New Zealand 777-300ER rostered to Tokyo offers more capacity and options to book premium cabins compared to the Dreamliner.
Airline chief Foran says the increase in capacity reflects the demand Air New Zealand is seeing and will boost economic growth in tourism for the country.
“Japan is an incredibly important visitor market for the New Zealand tourism industry, so additional seats over our busiest season means more inbound travel from Japan.
“Adding the 777 to more of our Tokyo services means that there are more seats available in premium cabins and that customers may experience our newly refreshed aircraft, which includes new seat covers and updated soft products like pillows and blankets,” says Foran.
The Tokyo increase is part of an increase in capacity to key destinations in Asia, with the airline adding more than 55,000 seats across Singapore, Tokyo, and Taipei between November 2024 and March 2025.
“Our premium cabins are incredibly popular with customers travelling to and from destinations like Singapore, Tokyo, and Taipei, so we’re pleased to introduce increased capacity from November to give those customers more seats to book travel,” said the Auckland-based flag carrier.
