Air New Zealand has announced a major upgrade to its international lounge at Auckland Airport, set to become the largest and most spacious in its network.
The new development will nearly double the current lounge footprint to 3,700 square metres and introduce two separate lounges designed to accommodate different tiers of travellers. One lounge will be dedicated to Airpoints Elite and Business Premier customers, while a second will serve Airpoints Gold, Star Alliance Gold, Airpoints Silver, and Koru members.
Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran said the expansion responds to direct feedback from customers seeking more space, seating, and choice. “We’ve designed our new lounges around what our customers told us matters most more space, more seating, and the ability to choose how they spend their time,” Foran said. “Seating capacity will increase by 70%, providing a significant boost in comfort and capacity for international travellers passing through Auckland.”
The lounges will be designed to cater to a range of needs, including dedicated business zones with private rooms and single-seating booths, family-friendly areas, social spaces, and upgraded relaxation zones. A repositioned barista station near the entrance will cater to time-sensitive travellers.
The redesigned lounges will introduce a range of purpose-built areas to accommodate different traveller needs, including:
- Enhanced business zones with private rooms and single-seating booths for focused work
- Relaxation spaces with comfortable seating for unwinding before flights
- Dedicated family areas tailored for those travelling with children
- Repositioned barista bar near the entrance for quicker service
- Repositioned barista bar near the entrance for quicker service
Interiors will draw inspiration from Aotearoa, using locally influenced materials, furnishings, and curated art and lighting. Construction will begin in early 2026 in two phases. The current lounge will remain partially open during the first phase, focused on building the new Elite and Business Premier lounge. Once that space is operational, the existing lounge will be redeveloped, with full completion expected by late 2027.
Customers will continue to be accommodated in various lounge areas throughout the construction period, with updates available via the Air New Zealand app. Further design details and construction timelines are expected to be released later this year.