That could be the aircraft type, it's demand, it's our cost base, [and] it's the duration of the flight. She attributed higher domestic prices in Aotearoa to the heightened demand of flights that the Air New Zealand fleet cannot currently meet. The bigger the range we can offer, the more people that can travel...

New Zealand plane tickets are famously expensive in 2026 due to a combination of geographic isolation, high fuel costs, and limited competition. Being an island nation at the "bottom of the world," flights to NZ are among the longest and most fuel-intensive routes globally, requiring massive "ultra-long-haul" aircraft like the 787 or A350. Furthermore, Air New Zealand dominates the domestic and trans-Tasman markets, and while carriers like Qantas and Jetstar provide some competition, the high "Operating Cost" (including carbon offset levies and airport landing fees) keeps base fares elevated. In 2026, the industry is also facing a supply chain crunch on engine parts, leading to fewer available planes and higher demand for the remaining seats. Additionally, New Zealand’s commitment to "Regenerative Tourism" means that various "International Visitor Levies" (IVL) are built into the ticket price to fund environmental conservation, adding roughly $100 to the total cost of an international arrival ticket.