Air New Zealand is expecting a huge number of passengers over the next month-and-a-half, with over a million customers on the domestic network between today and January 31.
On top of that, about 700,000 are expected on international flights in the same time frame.
"It's such a special time of year, so we are thrilled to be connecting customers with each other and the world, helping people get where they need to be and reunite with their whānau," chief operating officer Alex Marren said in a statement.
"Ensuring a smooth travel experience for our customers in the days leading up to Christmas requires a co-ordinated effort across all our teams, from flight planners to airport staff, pilots, and cabin crew."
December 22, next Friday, is expected to be the airline's busiest day of the year.
Nearly 50,000 people plan to take off that day, Air NZ said. The busiest domestic route is Auckland to Christchurch, "with Wellington and Queenstown following close behind". Nelson is the most popular regional destination.
Australia is in demand too, with about 350,000 passengers headed for Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane over the holidays. About 330,000 people are heading to other international destinations.
"Our teams are doing everything they can to get you to your destination," Marren said.
"We know that travelling can be stressful for many people, so we want to remind customers to give themselves plenty of time for check in and getting through airport security.
"We look forward to serving you this season and wishing you happy holidays from all our Air New Zealand whānau to yours."
Customers were urged to check the airline's tips for travelling over the holidays, and to keep an eye on flight alerts.
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