Chocolate dipped pretzels and almonds, tangy lemon meringue coated popcorn and crunchy dried cheese will be coming to a plane near you, as Air New Zealand reveals its newest snack selection! 

The airline has been on the hunt for the most mouth-watering treats with 400 passionate suppliers from around the country bringing their creations to the table.

Last month it put out a call for a group of 'snacksperts' to help it make the final decision and just five out of a staggering 9000 applicants were chosen as taste testers, with their feedback helping narrow down the list to the following.

1. Dipped almonds and nut and chocolate blends.
2. Pea puffs real cheese
3. Choc wafers and trail Mix
4. Salt & vinegar chips
5. Lemon meringue pie and feijoa cider gourmet popcorn treats
6. Milk chocolate coated pretzels
7. Oat-baked squares in choc chip, chocolate brownie, raspberry white chocolate and salted caramel flavours
8. Rich chocolate treat
9. White choc coated ginger biscuit
10. Cinnamon glazed macadamias
11. Original butter cookie or choc chip
12. Crunchy cheese
13. Primal bar
14. Corn puffs churro or bang bang chicken flavour

The new snacks will be rolled out on a variety of different domestic and international routes, across various cabins, with the first snack, Skinny Dipped Almonds and nut and chocolate blends, due to land on domestic flights in December.

Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Sales Officer Leanne Geraghty said,

"Throughout this whole process, we’ve been amazed by the quality and calibre of suppliers, whether they’re a social enterprise wanting to help a worthy cause, or a family run business trying to highlight the best local produce – we’ve been extremely impressed and making a decision hasn’t been easy"

"We want to give our customers a fantastic experience from the moment they are welcomed aboard our aircraft, and that includes having a variety of snacks to satisfy sweet tooths and savory lovers alike.”

Customer feedback has also told the airline that there are some existing snack options that are really popular and loved, so Leanne has shared that the airline has also decided to keep them onboard for the next few years. "The beloved cookie isn’t going anywhere, though customers can expect to see them mix up their flavors from later next year, whether it’s pavlova or “chocolate fish n chip”, there will be plenty of choice for customers onboard.” she said.

Air New Zealand’s classics to stay onboard (but possibly with a twist!)

1. CookieTime Cookie (in classic chocolate chip, but with pavlova, lollie cake, “chocolate fish n chip” flavours also in the pipeline)
2. Fudge
3. Crisps (Apple Cider Vinegar and Sea Salt, Marlborough Sea Salt flavours)
4. Bliss bites

See what the NZ Herald editors thought of the new snacks