New Zealand will soon launch the world’s first ‘winery airline’.

The topic of alcohol and air travel has sparked much discussion recently, with some airlines even implementing total bans on booze during flights.

In a unique twist, a New Zealand wine company is taking a different approach by introducing the world’s first winery airline.

Later this year, Invivo will begin flights from Auckland in the North Island to Queenstown in the South Island, with the inaugural flight scheduled to take off in just a few months.

Invivo Air’s co-founders, Tim Lightbourne and Robin Cameron, have secured a 34-seat Saab plane from Sweden for their inaugural journey, promising a first-class experience with ‘business class in every glass.’

Inaugural flight

Though the flight itself lasts just two hours, the full experience spans 24 hours, including a visit to Invivo's Central Otago vineyards and an overnight stay at The Hilton Queenstown.

“Of course, we’ll be offering complimentary wines onboard, along with some non-alcoholic options,” Lightbourne says.

“We’ll have a selection of Invivo wines available, and Rob and I might even serve them to our guests during the flight. It’s bound to be a fun experience.”

Lightbourne and Cameron launched Invivo Air to celebrate the reopening of Auckland’s borders in December and to boost domestic tourism within New Zealand.

The duo also aims to assist Auckland’s hospitality workers, who were severely affected by the 119-day lockdown following a Covid-19 outbreak in the city.

For the inaugural flight, half of the seats will be offered for free, prioritizing hospitality and tourism workers from Auckland impacted by the lockdown, as well as residents who couldn't visit family in the South Island due to border restrictions.

“Many restaurants in Auckland have been closed for that entire period,” says Lightbourne. “It’s been really tough. We want to reward some of these hospitality workers by sending them on a trip to Queenstown, one of New Zealand's top tourist spots.”

Supporting domestic tourism

He also hopes the flights will help revive Queenstown, a popular destination that attracted around three million visitors annually before the pandemic, with over 60% of them being international travelers.

However, the resort town in New Zealand's Otago region has faced significant challenges due to the decline in international tourists, says Lightbourne.

Setting up an airline from scratch has proven to be more difficult than anticipated, according to the Invivo team.

“We’ve had to consult with industry professionals about the challenges and obstacles along the way,” Lightbourne admits.

“This is a trial run for us, but the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Thousands have registered, and we could have sold out the flight 100 times over,” says Lightbourne.

While the inaugural flight is considered a “trial,” Lightbourne confirms the team plans to operate regular flights between Auckland and Queenstown, with hopes of adding new destinations in the future.

“We have vineyards in Marlborough, also in the South Island,” Lightbourne adds. “In the North Island, we’re also present in Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne. We’re aiming to add flights to those regions later this year, hopefully.”

Founded in 2008, Invivo produces wines in New Zealand and partners with growers worldwide to create wines from premier regions, including Veneto, Italy’s Prosecco area.

The Invivo winery is located in Te Kauwhata, in the Waikato region, just south of Auckland.

Could celebrity passengers be on board?

Invivo's diverse group of shareholders and partners includes stars like Sarah Jessica Parker from 'And Just Like That…' and British TV host Graham Norton, with Lightbourne hinting that one of them might board an Invivo Air flight in the future.

“Both Graham and Sarah Jessica are very eager to visit New Zealand,” Lightbourne adds. “So, they could very well be official guests on a future flight,” he says.

New Zealand has received widespread praise for its handling of Covid-19, with cases remaining remarkably low thanks to stringent border controls and quarantine measures. To date, the country has recorded just over 15,000 infections.

However, the country has essentially been closed off to the rest of the world throughout the pandemic, with the exception of a short-lived quarantine-free travel bubble with Australia that was suspended in July 2021.

This situation has posed significant challenges for many, especially businesses that depend on international tourism and those who have been separated from family members.

“Everyone understands it’s for the greater good,” Lightbourne says. “But at the same time, we’re eager to return to normal and reopen the borders to international travel. It’s been almost two years.”

Passengers aboard Invivo Air must adhere to all relevant rules and regulations, including presenting a valid vaccine pass before boarding.

While 50% of the seats on the inaugural flight will be available for purchase, the exact seat prices are still to be determined.