The 3700sq m lounge will have capacity for 790 guests and should open by late 2027.<\/p>\n
Ravishankar\u2019s predecessor, Greg Foran, announced the lounge overhaul earlier this year.<\/p>\n
Ravishankar<\/a> last month told the Herald the new lounge would be twice the size of the current offering.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I speak to some of our customers who use that lounge regularly, one of the complaints is it\u2019s a bit crowded. So we\u2019re doing something about it,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s probably going to be one of the best lounges in global aviation, so I\u2019m excited about that.\u201d<\/p>\n The airline had also been looking at refreshing earn rates and benefits.<\/p>\n It said the Koru overhaul should bring refreshed tiers, more recognition and a clearer journey for every member.<\/p>\n Ravishankar said the overall rebrand would create an experience that felt simpler and more personal to members.<\/p>\n The CEO said customer feedback had informed the changes.<\/p>\n Air New Zealand said it would also deliver new opportunities to earn Airpoints and Status Points to ensure members get more value. <\/p>\n Australian Frequent Flyer editor Matt Graham earlier this year criticised Airpoints. <\/p>\n Graham said many frequent flyers considered the Airpoints programme to be uncompetitive<\/a>. <\/p>\n He said Airpoints limited opportunities to get the \u201coutsized value\u201d that some other frequent flyer programmes had.<\/p>\nAn impression of what Air New Zealand’s expanded Koru Lounge at Auckland will look like. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n