Times Online
Our Homes Today
Rural Living
Home
News
Blogs
Features
Awards
About Us
e-newsletter
Directory
A word from the editor's desk
Ten questions in ten minutes
As We See It
Dining
Getting the Message Across
Internet Stuff
Investment Clues
Legal Focus
The Business Maverick
Held in Trust
The IT Report
Spotlight
My business my way
Archives
Southern Focus
Northern Focus
Western Focus
Business Expo
Business Branding & Gifts
Business Technology
Design, Print & Packaging
Training & Education
Pride In Print
Politics
Meetings & Conferences
Chill Out
Bucking The Trend
Entrepreneurial Expose
Human Resources
Westpac Waitakere Business Awards
Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards
Westpac Enterprise North Shore Business Awards
Vero Excellence In Business Support Awards
Air New Zealand Auckland Export Awards
Best of the Best
EEO Trust Awards
Franchise Awards
Other Awards
Contact Us
Accounting & Legal
Design
Commercial Property
Dining & Catering
Motoring
Meetings & Conferences
Print & Packaging
Training & Education
Retail
IT/Web
Manufacturing
Recruitment
Business Services
Trade Services
Lifestyle
News Feature Headlines
BNI recognises social responsibility
News Feature
Air New Zealand offers lie-down in economy
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Air New Zealand plans to introduce Kiwi designed lie-flat economy and ground breaking premium economy seats later this year, transforming international air travel and offering enhanced comforts for those wanting the ultimate in luxurious Business Premier travel. The airline today revealed its prototype designs in a full-scale Boeing 777-300 cabin.
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.
Chief Executive Officer Rob Fyfe said when the airline takes delivery of its first new Boeing 777-300 ER in November this year it will redefine the long haul travel experience and set a benchmark for competitors to follow.
“Air New Zealand is putting the magic and romance back into flying. For the past three years we have been designing a new long haul experience that will reignite the passion of today’s travellers,” Mr Fyfe said.
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 dramatic 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,” Mr Fyfe said.
Air New Zealand’s award winning Business Premier cabin has also been enhanced with complete on-demand food and beverage service more akin to premium dining and an enhanced sleep experience to ensure travellers really do feel they’ve snuggled into their own bed.
The new interior design scheme includes a move away from traditional blues and greens to a more luxurious blend of chalk and deep ink colours.
Mr Fyfe said each of the three zones in Air New Zealand’s long haul aircraft of the future will be a step ahead of competitors from a comfort perspective and the experience will be further underpinned by the world’s most innovative food and beverage service and state-of-the-art entertainment system.
“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.
“Coupled with some of the world’s best wines like gold-medal winning sauvignon blancs from Marlborough, pinot noirs from Central Otago and cabernet merlots and syrahs from Hawke’s Bay, we will be serving an incredible dining experience!”
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.
