Air New Zealand Debuts Premium Wine Label, Prepares to Launch New Business Class
The Kiwi airline is launching its own wine label, introducing its new Business Class cabin, and refreshed cabin crew uniforms this year
Photo: Courtesy of Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand is raising a glass to its storied past with the launch of Thirteen Forty Five, a signature wine label that pays tribute to a defining moment in the airline’s history.
The label’s name commemorates the airline’s first-ever international flight in 1940, a pioneering journey from Auckland to Sydney that covered 1,345 miles and paved the way for modern air travel.
“Making a great wine takes time, and Thirteen Forty Five has been a passion project that honours our legacy while creating something special for our customers,” said Kylie McGillivray-Brown, Air New Zealand’s General Manager of Customer Experience. “With every sip, travellers can toast to a legacy that spans miles and decades.”
Collaborating with Villa Maria
In partnership with Villa Maria, one of New Zealand’s most renowned wine producers and part of the Indevin Group, Air New Zealand is launching Thirteen Forty Five with two carefully curated varietals: a Marlborough sauvignon blanc and a pinot noir.
Photo: Courtesy of Air New Zealand
These wines are now available in Air New Zealand lounges throughout the country and will be served in Premium Economy cabins on international flights. Passengers can also purchase bottles through the airline’s Airpoints Store.
To celebrate the launch, select domestic flights will feature Thirteen Forty Five during Koru Hour throughout March, giving customers a taste of this exclusive new offering while inflight.
The Wines: A Taste of New Zealand
Thirteen Forty Five’s inaugural wines are crafted to highlight the best of New Zealand’s winemaking regions, offering distinct and enticing flavors.
Photo: Courtesy of Air New Zealand
As the airline explains, the Sauvignon Blanc, sourced from vineyards in Marlborough’s Wairau and Awatere valleys, features vibrant aromas of passionfruit, lemongrass, and subtle herbal notes.
The Pinot Noir, grown on the eastern side of the Wairau Valley, boasts rich flavors of cherry and plum, with accents of dried herbs and violets.
Photo: Courtesy of Air New Zealand
“We couldn’t have asked for better vintages to produce the debut release of these wines,” expressed Winemaker Tom Dixon from Villa Maria. “The conditions during the growing seasons were very favorable for creating high-quality wines that truly reflect their respective varieties.”
Expanding the Collection
The journey doesn’t stop here. In 2025, Air New Zealand will introduce the next chapter of the Thirteen Forty Five range, including a new vintage of Sauvignon Blanc and an additional red varietal sourced from Hawke’s Bay.
In its inflight wine offering, however, Air New Zealand continues to support and showcase local winemakers. Each year, the airline curates an exclusive selection of wines for its Business Premier cabin and lounges through a blind tasting process led by a panel of experts.
Photo: Courtesy of Air New Zealand
According to Air New Zealand, for 2025, the program will feature wines from 47 wineries, spanning regions from Waiheke Island to Central Otago.
“New Zealand boasts some of the world’s finest wines, and we are proud to bring these exceptional selections to our customers and to the world,” said McGillivray-Brown. “It’s a privilege to showcase the best of New Zealand and celebrate the unique flavors of our home.”
With Thirteen Forty Five, Air New Zealand not only continues its tradition of exceptional hospitality but also reinforces its commitment to bringing the very best of New Zealand to travelers around the globe.
Business Premier Luxe Coming Up
This spring, Air New Zealand will finally unveil its highly anticipated new business class cabin, Business Premier. This makes Air New Zealand the first airline to complete a nose-to-tail retrofit of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Originally scheduled for May, the first aircraft featuring the new Business Premier cabin will now take off a month earlier.
Business Premier Luxe. Courtesy of Air New Zealand
The airline has stated that the retrofit will include several updates designed to enhance the travel experience. These updates will feature new seating throughout the aircraft, including Business Premier Luxe seats in the Business Premier cabin. These enhanced business class seats will offer more space and include a privacy door for added comfort.
The aircraft will also receive new carpeting to refresh its interior, as well as curtains to provide separation between the cabins and galleys. The lavatories will be upgraded with new wallpaper, hands-free waste disposal systems, and amenity holders to improve functionality.
Photo: Courtesy of Air New Zealand
In addition, the inflight entertainment screens and systems will be upgraded to provide better viewing options. A Sky Pantry will also be introduced in the Economy cabin, allowing passengers easy access to snacks and refreshments.
Equally groundbreaking is the upcoming introduction of the SkyNest, which will be the first-ever bunk bed-style flat-bed product for economy class passengers on long-haul flights. This innovation has been years in the making, undergoing rigorous certification processes, and is highly anticipated by both travelers and airlines worldwide.
Photo: Courtesy of Air New Zealand
In addition to these cabin upgrades, Air New Zealand will also introduce a new uniform for its staff later this year. Designed by acclaimed Kiwi fashion designer Emilia Wickstead, the new look will reflect both the airline’s brand identity and the spirit of Aotearoa New Zealand.
With the launch of Thirteen Forty Five and the airline’s continued commitment to innovation, Air New Zealand is reinforcing its role as a leader in both aviation and hospitality, offering passengers an experience that celebrates the best of New Zealand in every detail.
