Air New Zealand has confirmed the cancellation of 46 wide-body long-haul services as a preemptive measure ahead of a planned two-day strike by its cabin crew. The industrial action, organized by the E tū union and the Flight Attendants’ Association of New Zealand (FAANZ), is set to impact approximately 9,500 travellers between February 12 and 13, 2026.
The dispute stems from stalled negotiations regarding pay and employment conditions, specifically focusing on roster stability and workload pressures in the post-pandemic era. According to a statement from the carrier, the strike will primarily affect international routes operated by Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft, which connect Auckland (the country’s main international gateway) with major hubs in North America and Asia.
While long-haul operations face significant disruption, the airline’s domestic and regional network—which serves smaller New Zealand cities like Christchurch and Wellington—is expected to operate as normal. Air New Zealand has also adjusted its fleet to protect the majority of Tasman (Australia) and Pacific Island services, often utilizing narrow-body aircraft or rescheduling flights to bypass the strike window.
What flights are cancelled?
46 wide-body long-haul services (Boeing 777 and 787) connecting Auckland with major hubs in North America and Asia.
Who is striking and why?
Cabin crew represented by the E tū union and the Flight Attendants’ Association of New Zealand (FAANZ) over pay, roster stability and workload concerns.
How many passengers are affected?
About 9,500 passengers between 12 and 13 February 2026.
Will domestic flights be affected?
Domestic and regional services (including Christchurch and Wellington) are expected to operate normally.
What options do affected passengers have?
Passengers can be rebooked (including on Star Alliance partners), receive full refunds, or get travel credits.
E tū National Secretary Rachel Mackintosh stated that the work performed by wide-body cabin crew is demanding and often misunderstood. She highlighted that these employees are shift workers with schedules that change every month, leading to irregular hours and a lack of certainty in their work patterns.
Passenger recovery and compensation
Jeremy O’Brien, Chief Customer and Digital Officer, mentioned that teams are working around the clock to re-accommodate affected passengers. Options include rebooking on alternative flights—including those of Star Alliance partners—full refunds, or travel credits.
The airline emphasized that the strike notice requires a 14-day lead time for any additional actions, providing some level of predictability for future travellers. Negotiations are expected to continue through facilitated bargaining to reach a resolution and avoid further impact on New Zealand’s connectivity.