Air New Zealand toasts 75 years in style
New Zealand’s national carrier has spared no expense in celebrating the 75th anniversary of its first commercial flight, with over 100 guests hosted for lunch at Rose Bay’s Catalina restaurant.
The launch followed an hour long Sydney harbour cruise aboard the ferry Lady Herron. The vessel was styled in the livery of a 1940s era Air New Zealand Solent flying boat for the occasion and featured a trio of singers. The inaugural flight in 1940 from Mechanics Bay in Auckland Harbour to Rose Bay in Sydney Harbour took around nine hours.
During lunch guests were taken through the various eras of Air New Zealand’s history. Staff members portraying flight crew from across the decades provided a tongue in cheek look at how the airline had evolved both in terms of technology and style.
New Zealand’s high commissioner to Australia Chris Seed spoke of the two countries’ close relationship and the importance of the airline in bringing the nations together and fostering mutual ties.
Guests also heard from Air New Zealand chief sales and commercial officer Cameron Wallace, and watched a video tribute from New Zealand prime minister John Key, who recorded it from Riyadh. The event’s MC was Leanne Geraghty, Air New Zealand’s general manager Australia.
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