On the TechTO stage ×1
First seen on the TechTO stage in 2025. Every talk is searchable — ask the archive about Katie ↗
In their words
Half of Air New Zealand's bookings come through our indirect channel, so it's still really really important.
We used AI to put those photos in and use an analysis to see what was commonly left behind, and we could tell some of the items that people didn't like.
I think the worst thing that you can do as an airline is say nothing or lie. And so you have to be upfront, you have to be honest.
Around the web ×2
Quick answers
Who is Katie Olsson?
Air New Zealand's national account manager for Canada, based in Victoria, British Columbia. She fell into travel by walking into Intrepid's London office to ask about a trip to Iran, became a tour leader in Egypt, Morocco and Europe, and later worked for Intrepid Travel and Air Canada Vacations before joining the airline in 2018.
What did Katie Olsson say about airline technology at TechTO?
That airlines run on old systems and Air New Zealand has only recently pushed on digital. She described Collab, an in-house app built so gate agents, crew, pilots and flight planners could message each other in real time instead of using radios, landlines and — at small regional airports — binoculars.
How is Air New Zealand using AI?
On two routes out of Auckland the crew photographed meal trays after service and the airline analysed the images to see what passengers left behind. She said a beet and blue cheese hummus was one clear loser, and that a lettuce-based salad beat a grain salad.