Air New Zealand has revealed its busiest day for travel over the holidays, as Kiwis and international travellers take to the skies for some much-needed rest and relaxation.
The national carrier said around 1.6 million passengers would be travelling around the country domestically, with the South Island having three of the most popular holiday hotspots.
Around 260,000 customers would travel to and from the tourist hub of Queesntown, while 150,000 people were expected to flock to Nelson. Another 110,000 people would be taking in what Dunedin had to offer.
Air NZ general manager airports Kate Boyer said Napier and the Bay of Plenty were "also in hot demand this summer".
The busiest day for domestic travel would be Friday, December 19 with up to 32,000 travellers expected to fly. That was followed by Sunday, December 21; Monday, December 22; and Tuesday, December 23, with up to 31,000 customers taking to the skies each day.
On the airline’s international routes, around 1.1 million passengers would be connecting to and from Aotearoa.
Three Australian cities were "firm favourites", Boyer said, with 195,000 customers travelling to and from Sydney, another 185,000 to and from Melbourne, and 120,000 to and from Brisbane.
For around 170,000 customers, travelling across the Pacific was the destination of choice for taking in the summer sun, with Tahiti and Fiji "clear go-to getaways".
Further afield, Los Angeles should expect 56,000 passengers connecting to and from New Zealand, Boyer said.
On the airline's international routes, the busiest days would be Saturday, December 20 and Saturday, January 3, with up to 20,000 passengers travelling each day.
With airports expected to be bustling with travellers, Air NZ encouraged travellers to plan ahead and allow extra time – especially if they were travelling with young ones, oversized bags, or needed special assistance.
"We know travelling over the holiday period can be more stressful than normal but please know our teams are here to make your journey as seamless as possible," she said.
"We recommend checking in online where possible, arriving at the airport early, and giving yourself time to relax before your flight."
Customers were also reminded to check the Civil Aviation Authority website ahead of time to make sure their Christmas gifts could travel with them onboard.
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