Air NZ boss defends chaotic start to direct New York service

Air NZ's chief executive has defended the turbulent first week for the airline's new direct Auckland-New York service.

Strong headwinds forced Air NZ to bump passengers from yesterday's flight from New York to Auckland to lighten the load.

The airline paid 15 passengers nearly $2600 and free accommodation to skip the flight, which landed at Auckland Airport earlier today, and catch an alternate flight.

Air NZ chief executive Greg Foran acknowledged the problem today.

"Particularly for the trip back, we can encounter some pretty difficult weather conditions."

Foran said the airline had modelled these conditions for a year, but admitted they needed to make "some adjustments".

He said Air NZ will now be selling fewer tickets for the non-stop service to alleviate the issue.

Aviation commentator Irene King said these initial problems are to be expected.

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"It's notoriously difficult to project some of these long haul flights. Over time as the data gets better, then the flight performance will improve."

Yesterday's flight was the latest headache plaguing the airline's flagship service, with its inaugural flight arriving in Auckland last Monday without 65 passengers' bags and another flight delayed by two hours on Thursday.