Air New Zealand's recent order of A320 aircraft to replace its domestic jet fleet is going to come with a little something extra - sharklets! These are an extension to the current Airbus A320 wingtips that will increase efficiency and reduce fuel use by a whopping 3.5% (or around 700 tonnes of CO2 per aircraft, per year). They are really just a fancy name for winglets. Crankyflier has made an amusing suggestion of what they may look like, but in reality, they will look like the computer mock-up above. Kiwis flying domestically from 2012 will get to see them first-hand.
May actually save more than 3.5%, if refueling stops are reduced. Like JetBlue obsession with unscheduled landings in SLC.