Andy Bowley: Forsyth Barr Head of Research on the number of empty seats Air NZ flew on its US route

Turbulence for Air New Zealand's New York route.  

New data shows the airline's US route flew more than 34 thousand empty seats between January and February. 

Load factors reached 75% during the peak summer – well below its target of 80–85%. 

Forsyth Barr Head of Research Andy Bowley told Mike Hosking the numbers are below what the airline would typically see across its network. 

But he says an ultra-long-haul route does have some weight limitations, and it's unknown how the load factor is affected by weight limitations. 

The airline is also due to have their new 787 Dreamliners on their route by December, which Bowley says will have a significantly lower number of seats, with more premium seats and less economy seats at the back of the plane. 

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