I was on an Air New Zealand flight from RAR to AKL last week and 6 of the PAX in the C cabin were deadheading crew. In a conversation with one of them she indicated they were on the final leg of an 11 day cycle, they flew into RAR from LAX and now were going home to AKL. She mentioned it was the last duty segment for each of them.

What I don't understand is the fact that a couple of them were drinking alcohol. The one I spoke with had 4 glasses of wine on the flight. Personally I don't care if someone drinks alcohol or not (hey I enjoy a glass), but when you comment you are working/deadheading/repositioning and Air NZ crew, is that allowed? They were not in uniform and I would not have known they were crew except for her comments.

Is this legal? I'm not looking to file a complaint here, I'm just curious as to the regulations here.