Air New Zealand customers will be forced to upgrade on some routes.

The airline is cutting seat-only tickets for flights to Honolulu, Perth and Tahiti.

Short Haul General Manager Jeremy O'Brien says customer feedback showed that people preferred having entertainment and a meal.

He says cutting the basic option won't be a huge loss.

O'Brien says less than five percent of customers were opting for the seat only option for Honolulu and Perth flights.

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