A man and woman in their 30s have landed in court - after starting kissing as their Air New Zealand flight began to descend

Open Justice reports the pair's antics played out on a flight from Auckland to Nelson last November - progressing to fondling in front of fellow passengers.

Reuben Jeremy Finn's been sentenced in Nelson District Court to six months community detention and 12 months supervision - on a count of performing an indecent act in a public place.

Bronte LeLievre's admitted the same offence, and will be sentenced in November.