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Air NZ unveils new in-flight service
Air New Zealand flights from London to Auckland will be amongst the first to be equipped with the airline’s new three-class service.
A new Business Premier cabin – replacing its current first and business class long-haul service – is to be introduced on refitted Boeing 747s.
Flights from Heathrow are due to receive the revamped in-flight service by the end of 2005 following its introduction on the San Francisco-Auckland route in August.
The carrier’s Boeing 747-400s and eight new Boeing 777-200s being delivered from October are being configured with the new three class layout at a cost of about £56 million. The refit includes a new super economy class called Pacific Premium Economy and Pacific Economy. ANZ claims it will be the only airline flying to New Zealand to offer premium economy seating.
The new configuration comprises:
*Business Premier with a lie flat sleeping bed, making ANZ the only airline to offer such a bed at a business class price on flights into its home country.
*Pacific Premium Economy will be located in the premium cabin and feature the largest pitch in its class at 39″-40″ and on-demand entertainment on a personal 8.4″ high resolution screen.
*Pacific Economy will retain a 34″ seat pitch on 747s and feature on-demand entertainment with high-resolution 8.4″ in-seat video screens.
The airline’s European regional manager Simon Bean said: “People travelling from UK will be among the first to experience the new Air New Zealand long-haul product.
“New seats, new in-flight entertainment systems, new uniforms, and a new food and beverage service reflecting the very best of New Zealand style are just some of the developments we are working on to dramatically improve our long-haul offering. And later this year the first of our new 777s will start in service on selected routes.”
Passengers may fly the refitted 747s on an ad hoc basis from London until the guaranteed service starts later this year. On sale dates, final pricing and exact aircarft configuration for all three classes will be announced shortly, according to the airline.
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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