Air New Zealand is preparing to launch a charter flight that transforms a commercial aircraft into a high-altitude concert venue. The experience, called “SYNTHONY in the Sky,” is described as an experimental approach to aviation entertainment.
The May 15, 2026 charter flight from Auckland Airport (AKL) to Christchurch Airport (CHC) will feature live performances by SYNTHONY, an orchestral electronic music group, while passengers travel at cruising altitude.
The concept is more than just a musical performance on air. The 90-minute flight is the official opening act of the two-day musical experience. Live orchestral performances begin the moment passengers board the charter flight and continue upon landing in Christchurch.
Unique aviation entertainment concept
Passengers onboard Flight NZ1212 will experience live orchestral performances during the journey, with DJ Dick Johnson returning to provide additional entertainment. The airline describes the concept as creating “a story they’ll tell for years to come” by combining travel with live music at 30,000 feet.
“The first SYNTHONY in the Sky experience to Sydney in November was so popular, we had to bring it back for a second act,” said Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Digital Officer Jeremy O’Brien. The inaugural flight reportedly sold out within six hours of tickets going on sale.
Comprehensive entertainment package
The NZ$489 (US$292) charter ticket includes more than just the flight experience. Passengers receive general admission standing tickets to the sold-out SYNTHONY concert at One New Zealand Stadium on May 16, 2026, behind-the-scenes access to the orchestra’s soundcheck, and an exclusive acoustic performance by New Zealand band SIX60 available only to flight passengers.
The ground concert, titled “Once In A Lifetime,” marks the first live music event at Christchurch’s new stadium and features both SYNTHONY’s orchestral electronic sound and SIX60’s popular songs reimagined with full orchestral arrangements.
Market response and availability
Despite the concert being months away, there is currently a waitlist for tickets following the success of its initial flight performance in Sydney. Air New Zealand plans to open ticket sales at 06:00 on February 24, 2026, though the airline warns that seats are “extremely limited.”
The concept builds on the airline’s broader strategy of creating what O’Brien calls “moments customers genuinely care about” beyond standard transportation services. The approach positions flights as experiences rather than merely functional journeys between destinations.
DJ Dick Johnson, who performed on the December 2025 inaugural flight, described the experience as “a world first for aviation” and noted the unique atmosphere created by “200 ravers all there for the same reason: to party on a plane.”
Event and flight marketing
The concept represents an attempt by airlines to differentiate their services in an increasingly competitive market. By transforming aircraft into entertainment venues, carriers can potentially command premium pricing while creating memorable experiences that extend beyond traditional travel offerings.
The success of the initial Sydney flight suggests demand exists for aviation experiences that blur the lines between transportation and entertainment, particularly when connected to major cultural events like stadium concerts.
The event coincides with One New Zealand Stadium’s April 2026 debut as a major entertainment venue, while the charter flight serves as an elaborate marketing activation for both the airline and the venue’s inaugural music event.
