After 47 years of service, Air New Zealand's last remaining Boeing 737 is in Tauranga today as part of a farewell tour taking in seven airports across the country before it exits the fleet.

Pilots liken flying the aircraft to like driving a classic car, with rods, wires and hydraulics combining to create a unique experience for pilots.

The Boeing 737 on the Tauranga tarmac today. Photos: Cameron Avery & Andrew Campbell.

And judging by the lipstick kisses on the nose of ZK-NGI at the city's airport this morning, it's also well loved by its crew and those who have flown or worked on the 737 over the years.

The community open day saw school and community groups as well as the general public pay their respects to Air New Zealand's first domestic service jet airliner, with pupils from Arataki School the first visitors of the day.

In Napier yesterday, some 800 people dropped in to see the plane – and that was despite some bad weather says Air New Zealand's 737 fleet manager, first officer Gus Black.

'It's been a huge player in the airline industry since the 1960s,” says Gus. 'In 1968, we started operating them and they really have been a workhorse for Air New Zealand as well as airlines around the world.

First officer Gus Black and captain David Allard.

Boeing still make the 737, with many airlines continuing to operate what is the most popular single aisle airliner in the world.

Gus has been flying them for seven years, but according to Gus, some pilots have been at the controls of the iconic aircraft for more than 20.

'This aircraft is often described as a pilot's plane,” he explains. 'By that I mean it's very nice to fly from a pilot's perspective.

'It has a lot of power. The engines are fantastic, they get up and go, and because of the flight control system, you are very connected to the aircraft, so it is responsive in pitch and roll and responsive in thrust.

'You are engaged. There's no software between the control column and the flight controls. It really is whatever you do, the aeroplane does. Pilots really enjoy flying them.

'But at the same time, it's got all the technology, so we could rely on the automatic system when we flew into places like Queenstown. It's much simpler and safer.”

A favourite feature of the farewell flight are the stories coming from the visiting public as well as the tens of thousands of former airline staff that have flown and worked on the aircraft since Air New Zealand bought them off the plans in 1968.

The Boeing 737s are being replaced with the Airbus A320 – an aircraft already operated in New Zealand by Jetstar.

'From a passenger comfort and experience perspective, the new airbus provides another 40 seats and has a more efficient fuel burn.

It's 15-20 per cent more fuel efficient and is a step change in technology.”

Photos: Cameron Avery & Andrew Campbell.

Photo by Graham Woodhead.

Photo by Graham Woodhead.