More than 200 passengers on an Air New Zealand flight that departed San Francisco on December 24 skipped Christmas altogether after crossing the International Date Line, meaning the plane landed in Auckland on December 26, Air New Zealand reported. The passengers landed in New Zealand at around 5 am on December 26, officially skipping Christmas.
Concerned that passengers would miss out on even “the tiniest bit of Christmas magic”, Air New Zealand decided to put on a special show, creating a Christmas atmosphere on board.
Passengers were treated to a unique light show, an in-cabin projection that took passengers on an enchanting journey from the snowy Northern Hemisphere to the sunny summer beaches of Aotearoa. Passengers were also served a traditional Christmas lunch, which included a traditional Christmas roast turkey, mashed sweet potatoes, and chocolate cake for dessert.
“The holidays are a time to gather with loved ones, and we know that missing out on Christmas can cut the wings of that festive spirit. So we decided to lower expectations and create a celebration that soars to the sky like no other, adding a little magic to this journey,” commented Grace Blewitt of Air New Zealand.
Finally, Air New Zealand gave everyone on board a specially designed Christmas tree ornament and a Christmas cookie in the shape of an airplane.
