Air New Zealand cancels 46 long-haul flights as cabin crew begin strike action

As of February 12, 2026, international cabin crew at Air New Zealand have commenced a two-day strike over stalled contract negotiations. As a result, the airline has canceled 46 widebody long-haul flights, affecting approximately 9,500 passengers.

The strike, by flight attendants working on the airline’s long-range aircraft, will continue through February 13, 2026, marking the culmination of nearly 10 months of negotiations over pay and working conditions. 

According to Air New Zealand, its domestic and regional services are still operating normally, while the airline has adjusted schedules and redeployed aircraft to protect most Tasman and Pacific routes from cancellations.

Union cites financial hardship

The strike represents a ‘last resort’ for crew members frustrated by the prolonged negotiation process, according to a report from local news outlet RNZ. E tū union National Secretary Rachel Mackintosh said that many flight attendants struggle with basic living expenses despite their professional responsibilities.

“The base pay [for flight attendants] is very low – currently less than $60,000 a year,” Mackintosh told RNZ. “That pay level has an effect on people’s lives, including that they can’t get bank loans or mortgages because that’s their only guaranteed income.”

The union official emphasized the demanding nature of cabin crew work, describing flight attendants as first responders who manage crises, handle difficult passengers, and ensure safety while making complex work appear routine. She noted that, while crew members receive additional allowances for long hours and time away from home, the low base salary creates financial uncertainty.

Airline defends compensation structure

According to company statements, Air New Zealand has offered salary increases ranging from 4.14% to 6.41% in the first year. Chief People Officer Nikki Dines has argued that examining base pay alone doesn’t reflect the full compensation picture.

“Cabin crew have a unique remuneration structure where base pay is a guaranteed income, regardless of the hours they work,” Dines said. “In addition to base salary, cabin crew receive other payments and allowances linked to duties undertaken, which significantly increases their total remuneration.”

The airline maintains that salaries have kept pace with inflation and that the company’s approach provides consistent guaranteed income, while shifting more compensation into base salary. However, Dines acknowledged that this structure has not always aligned with crew preferences to maintain significant variable pay elements.

Customer impact and response

According to Air New Zealand’s Chief Customer and Digital Officer Jeremy O’Brien, teams have worked “around the clock” to minimize disruption and reaccommodate affected passengers. The airline is contacting customers directly with rebooking options and offering refunds or travel credits for future use.

“We are very sorry for the disruption to some customers’ travel plans,” O’Brien said in a statement. Additional support may include meals, accommodation, and transportation where required.

Air New Zealand plans to operate cargo-only widebody services to maintain connections for New Zealand exporters during the strike period.

Broader context

This labor dispute comes as Air New Zealand, like many airlines globally, faces pressure to balance operational costs with employee demands amid rising living expenses. The union has criticized the airline’s investments in new hangars, aircraft purchases and uniform redesigns, while staff struggle with cost-of-living pressures.

Dines defended these investments as essential for maintaining competitiveness and financial sustainability. “It is not a choice between investing in aircraft or investing in crew,” she said. “Both are necessary. Modern aircraft and facilities enable us to operate efficiently and generate the revenue that funds wages, training and career opportunities.”

The relevant parties have agreed to participate in facilitated bargaining to resolve the dispute, though no specific timeline has yet been announced. The strike affects only widebody aircraft operations, with narrowbody domestic and regional services continuing normal schedules.

Air New Zealand has advised passengers booked on international widebody services to ensure that their contact details are current as the airline works to minimize ongoing disruption while negotiations continue.

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