Air New Zealand has revealed plans for lie-flat economy seats plus innovative premium economy and business class offerings.
Chief Executive Officer Rob Fyfe said its first new Boeing 777-300 ER, which the airline is scheduled to receive in November, will redefine the long haul travel experience.
‘Air New Zealand is putting the magic and romance back into flying,’ he said. ‘For the past three years we have been designing a new long haul experience that will reignite the passion of today’s travellers.’
‘For those who choose, the days of sitting in economy and yearning to lie down and sleep are gone. The dream is now a reality, one that you can even share with a travelling companion – just keep your clothes on, thanks.’
The ‘Skycouch’, a specially designed row of three seats, has been engineered to create a lie-flat, flexible space all the way to the seat-back in front, providing a place for the kids to play, or the holy grail of economy travel – a flat surface for adults to relax and sleep.
Twenty-two sets of Skycouch seats will be available, being the first 11 window rows in the Economy Class cabin.
For two adults travelling, purchasing the Skycouch will be based on buying two seats at standard prices with the third seat at approximately half price. Full airfare details will be announced when it goes on sale from late April.
Air New Zealand’s Premium Economy cabin has also had a makeover.
‘Most airlines’ Premium Economy offering leaves travellers with economy-style food and service. By complete contrast, our new Premium Economy cabin with uniquely Kiwi designed Spaceseats will offer unparalleled comfort and legroom with new shared-meal experiences more familiar in tapas restaurants or bistros than at 35,000 feet,’ said Fyfe.
Air New Zealand’s Business Premier cabin has also been enhanced with a complete on-demand food and beverage service.
Fyfe said: ‘Being able to order a steak, medium rare in Business Premier, a pizza for two in Premium Economy or a late night snack in Economy, whenever you want, will be a very cool experience. New oven technology that will cook food from scratch rather than simply reheating and a new digital in-seat ordering service will make this truly the first time real food has been served at 35,000 feet.’
The 340 seat 777-300 aircraft will be configured with 246 in Economy (including 66 seats creating 22 Skycouch combinations), 50 in Premium Economy and 44 in Business Premier.
The first routes to offer travellers the next generation of long haul travel will be on selected NZ5 and NZ6 services between Auckland and Los Angeles from December followed by dedicated return services on NZ1 and NZ2 between Auckland and Los Angeles and through to London from April 2011.
Air New Zealand expects to also refit its fleet of eight Boeing 777-200 aircraft from mid next year, with all Asian, North American and UK services to have the new product by around 2012.
Finally, a rethink that really maximises space and gives lie flat experience in economy! A must have for all leading airlines.
Econo Biz and family flyers now have new hope!
This is exactly why Air NZ was just recently voted ATW Airline of the Year for 2010. And also why they are one of the few profitable airlines around.
They continue to invest in product and I think their existing product is already outstanding, but for me it is more than the seat comfort and bells ‘n’ whistles stuff. It is the natural warmth of the crew that makes the difference.
They’re not like some carriers who strive for a McDonald’s-type experience, or worse just plain don’t care! The Air NZ crew are encouraged to show their personality and problem solve; to show intiative.
Hope your US travellers get to enjoy this new service from November, just as we will do. Also congrats to you for being savvy enough to pick up this story. After all we here in NZ are pretty remote and off the radar usually.