Air New Zealand strike tests passenger rights and travel insurance cover

Air New Zealand’s planned long-haul cabin crew strike is set to disrupt the travel plans of nearly 10,000 passengers, while highlighting the complex interplay between airline liability, statutory rights, and travel insurance cover in New Zealand.

Industrial action by members of E tū and the Flight Attendants’ Association of New Zealand (FAANZ), covering international wide-body crew on Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft, is scheduled for 12–13 February. Air New Zealand has cancelled 44 international services, with about 9,500 customers affected. Although facilitated bargaining through the Employment Relations Authority is planned, it will take place after the strike dates.

The carrier is automatically rebooking passengers, offering refunds or travel credits, and says it can arrange accommodation, meals, and transport for customers stranded away from home due to schedule changes. Most disruption is on long-haul routes to Asia and North America; domestic and regional flights are not currently expected to be affected.

Consumer NZ said an international cabin crew strike was within the airline’s control under the Civil Aviation Act and falls under the Montreal Convention framework. Spokesperson Jessica Walker said Air New Zealand’s response suggested it accepted that position. “However, we’d like to remind passengers to retain receipts and ensure they claim back any additional costs they incur as a result of the strike… we’re pleased Air NZ is doing the right thing by customers,” she told news platform Stuff.

For insurers, the event underscores timing and policy wording. Southern Cross Travel Insurance said cover might apply depending on terms and when a policy was bought. Chief Customer Officer Jess Strange said to Stuff, “there’s no cover for changing your mind or deciding not to travel”, adding that refunds or credits from the airline would be deducted from any payout.

Global air travel is set to soar in 2026, but capacity gaps threaten growth, according to Airports Council International.