Rob Fyfe says Sir Richard Branson has not offered him a job.

Speculation he was resigning to take up a job within the Virgin Group empire, he assumed, had emanated from Sir Richard's visit to New Zealand late last year, during which the airline bosses faced off in a boat race on Auckland's harbour to promote the Virgin Business challenge. 

But Mr Fyfe, who announced his resignation from the airline this morning, said he had no job offers on the table.

"I'm not talking to anyone and don't have anything in mind," he said of his plans post-Air New Zealand.

Mr Fyfe said he wasn't even sure if his next steps would see him stay in the airline industry.

His career, which started in the airforce, had seen him work in television and banking.

"I've never been wedded to an industry I'm far more interested in finding things where I can make a difference."

For now, he was still focused on leading Air New Zealand, where he will remain in the top job until Christmas.

He acknowledged 11-months was a long notice period to work out.

That was to to ensure the board has time to find a successor, and creating opportunity for people within the business to come through, he said.