Michelle Harbi recalls the launch of the carrier’s forerunner, Tasman Empire Airways Limited
It’s now 75 years since New Zealand’s flag carrier made its maiden flight. Then called Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL), the fledgling airline flew ten passengers from Sydney to Auckland on the UK-built Short S30 Empire flying boat Aotearoa.
The journey, which initially operated weekly, took nine hours and also carried the first regular trans-Tasman airmail.
Aotearoa flies over Auckland harbour
At first TEAL was reluctant to use female crew. The first stewardesses started work in 1946, in military-style uniform, and had to be unmarried.
In 1959, the airline received its first jet-prop Lockheed Electra, and the last flying boat was retired the following year.
With expansion in mind, in 1965 TEAL became Air New Zealand. It started flying to London (via Tahiti and LA) in 1982. Today it serves 27 domestic locations and more than 20 international destinations with 106 aircraft.
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