Air NZ, Virgin spread the Christmas cheer
Airlines face plenty of flak over the course of a year so let’s hear it for Air New Zealand and Virgin Atlantic, which are sharing the Christmas spirit.
Virgin Atlantic is offering passengers travelling through London Heathrow, the chance to wrap last minute gifts for their loved ones, after passing through security – but before boarding the plane.
Airports prefer that all presents carried by passengers remain unwrapped for security reasons.


This one-off service will be available prior to boarding at the gate area by specially trained elves who will wrap up the gift with decorative ribbons and a large bow and gift tag.
A donation of £1 will go to Virgin Atlantic’s named charity, Free The Children.
Meanwhile, Air New Zealand is planning to turn one of its 777-200ER aircraft into a unique Christmas “sleigh†for the children of Christchurch.
The airline will deck out its long-haul aircraft with Christmas cheer and gift it to the kids of Christchurch to experience a scenic flight to Aoraki Mt Cook area.
The “Christmas Cheer in the Air†service will carry around 150 young Cantabrians accompanied by a parent or guardian on the one-hour round trip.
Air New Zealand’s chief pilot David Morgan says the 777-200ER will be on a day’s layover in Christchurch so the airline wanted to grab the opportunity to do something special for a community which has had a very tough time after devastating earthquakes.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026