Air New Zealand unveils plans for new flagship Koru ...
Air New Zealand is today revealing plans for its new flagship Air New Zealand Koru Lounge at Auckland International Airport.
www.airnewzealandnewsroom.comAir New Zealand has announced a major loyalty refresh: the Airpoints program will transition to a new branding called Koru, effective from April 2026, with new tier names and perks including a top-tier Koru Black for ultra-frequent flyers. Plans also include a flagship Koru Lounge expansion in Auckland, with a new Elite area accompanying the broader rebrand, and a refreshed member journey designed around clearer progression and kiwi-inspired design elements. In short, the latest developments center on rebranding Airpoints as Koru, expanding lounge experiences, and introducing upgraded benefits and tier structure for loyal customers.[2][3][8]
Key points you might care about:
- Timeline: Airpoints becomes Koru in April 2026; lounge expansions planned to boost Elite/Business Premier experiences, with phased openings around those upgrades.[3][2]
- New tiers: Koru Black and revised tiers aim to reward high-frequency travelers with enhanced upgrades, status rewards, and other perks, while broadening access for a wider base.[1][5]
- Experience emphasis: The rebrand emphasizes more space, Kiwi-inspired design, and a simplified, clearer loyalty journey to make earning and redeeming rewards easier for members.[8][3]
If you’d like, I can pull a quick timeline summary or compare the current Airpoints benefits to the announced Koru structure once you confirm which details you want highlighted (e.g., specific eligibility, lounge access, or upgrade rules).
Cited sources:
- Air New Zealand confirms Koru branding and April 2026 start for Airpoints transition.[3]
- Plans for new flagship Koru Lounge in Auckland and lounge experience refresh.[2]
- Overview of Koru branding, tiers, and the emphasis on loyalty program evolution.[3]