Air NZ’s $9 deals around country fly off the site

Air New Zealand’s $9 flights around the country were virtually sold out by last night.

The airline released the fares yesterday morning offering 500 one-way domestic flights for $9. Only one seat at that price was left on the site by 6pm — Hamilton to Palmerston North.

Also on sale were 150 international flights available from $99 one-way, including flights to Australia and Fiji. Reduced fares to Asia, America and Europe were included in the sale as well.

From Auckland, $299 fares to Honolulu and $199 to Tahiti one-way were up for grabs. Grabaseat was also offering direct flights to Singapore for $799 return and $999 return to Tokyo.

Air New Zealand chief revenue officer Cam Wallace said: “If you’re looking to escape the winter weather or spend time with friends or family across the country, this is your chance.”

The Grabaseat website turned 13 last month, and Air NZ offered a range of deals at the time.

The website crashed because of heavy demand earlier this year when $1 deals saw thousands of Kiwis try to secure flights.

Jetstar has also been getting in on the action, matching Air NZ when it runs promotions in a price war that has been good for consumers.

John Willson from First Travel Group told the Weekend Herald that Air NZ would have released the deals after noticing a “soft spot” in their competitors’ offerings. Consumers were “trained” for such promotions and knew “they just had to wait for the next one to come along”.

As for the $9 deals, he noted the money “wouldn’t even start the engine, let alone fly it”.