AUCKLAND- Air New Zealand (NZ) is the flag carrier of New Zealand and is the only full-service airline based in the country. Headquartered out of Auckland and also operating out of bases in Christchurch and Wellington, ANZ has over 100 aircraft and flies to more than 40 destinations around the world. Since 1999, it has also been a part of the Star Alliance.
It currently has a mixed ownership. 51% of the airline is owned by the New Zealand Government, and the remaining 49% is traded in the Australian and New Zealand Stock Exchanges.
During its peak, Air New Zealand operated over 200 domestic and international flights, and at present, it has just under 1,000 pilots on its payroll, which allows it to maintain its status as one of the world’s most punctual and safest carriers.
Here is a look at how much pilots working for Air New Zealand are paid, the rest of the benefits they enjoy, as well as the process to become one.
Air New Zealand Pilot Salary

Air New Zealand First Officer Salary
Air New Zealand first officers are the airline’s junior crop of pilots. They assist the captain in ensuring that a flight is safely completed from its origin to destination, handle navigation with air traffic control, and conduct safety checks on the aircraft, whereas co-pilots with relatively more experience under their belts are also mentored by commanders to become captains.
First officers working for Air NZ are paid an annual salary ranging from NZ$86,000 to NZ$161,000 (between US$51,600 and 91,600).
This amount includes allowances during layovers and varies depending on their overall experience, the type of aircraft flown, and the geographical location. There is an expectation for first officers to fly for 75 hours per month, and no additional payment for flying time is paid out to them.

Air New Zealand Captain Salary
Air New Zealand captains are the airline’s senior category of pilots. They are responsible for making key decisions during flights, such as navigation and routing, safety procedures, and the management of the flight crew. Internally, numerous line training captains mentor junior fliers, especially co-pilots looking to get promoted to the role of commanders.
Captains working for Air New Zealand receive a salary ranging from NZ$94,000 to NZ$228,000 per year (between US$56,400 and US$136,800).
As with first officers, there is an expectation to fly for 75 hours in a month, whereas total payout includes all allowances with no additional payment for the time flown.
Line training captains are paid significantly more than regular captains; however, the rest of the variance in pay is largely due to experience and aircraft type.
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Benefits Air New Zealand pilots are entitled to
In addition to their salaries, including layover allowances, Air New Zealand pilots are entitled to the following benefits during their employment with the carrier.
- Medical expenses cover – In partnership with a local healthcare company, Air NZ pilots and their families are provided with a comprehensive medical insurance. A fortnightly contribution from their salaries entitles employees to receive coverage for most medical-related expenses in New Zealand, while aviators personally are covered with a globally valid policy.
- Discounts and offers – Air New Zealand pilots are entitled to discounts with the airline’s corporate partners, which include hotel chains around the world, retail stores, restaurants, and gyms, among others. While some discounts are valid only in New Zealand, those specific to the travel industry can be utilised elsewhere in the world.
- Staff travel – Air New Zealand pilots, their families, and friends are entitled to enjoy the airline’s staff travel policy. They can avail tickets with the carrier for a significant discount or opt to fly on a standby basis free of cost. Likewise, for Air NZ’s Star Alliance and codeshare partners, standby tickets can be availed at the last moment, subject to availability.
- Life insurance – All of Air New Zealand’s pilots are covered with a life insurance policy. This ensures that the family receives a generous payout in case of the employee’s death or in case of circumstances that cause an inability to continue working. Additionally, there are also programs that the airline offers to aid the mental health and well-being of its employees.

Which Aircraft does Air NZ fly?
Air New Zealand operates a mixed fleet of Airbus, ATR, Boeing, and De Havilland aircraft. Here is a look at the breakdown of what their pilots get to fly.
- Airbus A320-200 – 17
- Airbus A320neo – 6
- Airbus A321neo – 13
- ATR 72-600 – 30
- Boeing 777-300ER – 10
- Boeing 787-9 – 14
- De Havilland Canada Dash 8-300 – 23
In addition to the existing fleet, the following planes are on order.
- Airbus A321neo – 3
- ATR 72-600 – 1
- Boeing 787-9 – 2
- Boeing 787-10 – 6
How to become a pilot for Air New Zealand?
Air New Zealand requires all of its pilots to fulfil the following requirements.
- Total Flight Hours – 1,500 hours
- Multi-Engine Aeroplane Hours – 100 hours
- Airline Transport Operations (ATO) Hours – 100 hours
- Instrument Flight Time – 40 hours
- Night Flight Hours – 25 hours
- NZCAA Licenses – CPL or higher, MEIR, and Class 1 Medical
- NZCAA Endorsements – BTK/BGT
- English Language Proficiency – Level 6 or higher
- Educational Requirement – University Entrance or equivalent
- Citizenship/Residency – New Zealand or Australian citizen/permanent resident
- Additional – Ability to travel overseas with a valid passport and necessary visas
The aforementioned requirements are for first officers only. A majority of Air New Zealand’s captains are promoted internally; therefore requirements for them are not accurately advertised.

Hiring Process for Pilots
Air New Zealand follows the steps below in its hiring process for pilots.
- ONLINE APPLICATION – Candidates must apply online through the Air New Zealand Careers Portal. It’s essential to have your logbook and licence information ready during registration.
- INITIAL SCREENING – Applications are assessed against the minimum requirements, which include specific flight hours, medical certifications, and language proficiency. Only those who meet these criteria will proceed to the next stage.
- COGNITIVE ASSESSMENT – Shortlisted candidates are invited to complete an online cognitive assessment. This evaluates problem-solving abilities and other relevant skills.
- IN-PERSON ASSESSMENTS – Successful candidates from the cognitive assessment are invited to a 2-day Assessment Centre held in Auckland. This involves:
- Interviews: Behavioural and technical interviews to assess competencies and suitability.
- Simulation tests, Practical exercises, and simulations to evaluate decision-making and technical skills.
- Group activities: Collaborative tasks to assess teamwork and communication abilities.
- PRE-EMPLOYMENT CHECKS – Candidates who perform well in the Assessment Centre undergo pre-employment checks, which may include a medical examination, background check, and reference checks.
- OFFER – Upon successful completion of all stages, candidates receive an offer of employment. They are then integrated into the training and development programs to prepare for their roles as pilots at Air New Zealand.
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