The first experience our customers receive upon boarding our aircraft is the warm hospitality of our Shanghai-based crew. The decision to establish a cabin crew base in Shanghai was easy. Around 90 percent of our customers on the Auckland-Shanghai route speak Mandarin and it was clear they would be more attracted to flying on Air New Zealand with Mandarin-speaking Chinese crew familiar with their culture, customs and preferences. What's more, our Chinese crew provide a wonderfully authentic experience for Kiwis and have great local knowledge to share on all the things to see and do that you don't read about in guide books.