Bed down in economy class – but keep your clothes on
Sunday, 26 Jan, 2010
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Economy class lie-flat beds are to be introduced later this year by Air New Zealand.
The carrier is to install the ‘Skycouch’, a specially designed row of three seats engineered to create a lie-flat, flexible space.
The airline says this will provide a place for children to play or 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 on new long range Boeing 777 aircraft to be introduced from November.
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.
Details of the fares will be announced when it goes on sale from late April and will be available on services between Auckland and London via Los Angeles from April next year.
The 340-seat B777-300 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 the new configuration will be selected flights between Auckland and Los Angeles from December.
Air New Zealand expects to also refit its fleet of eight B777-200 aircraft from summer 2011, with all Asian, North American and UK services to have the new in-flight service by around 2012.
CEO Rob Fyfe claimed the airline was “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,” he said.
“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.”
Air New Zealand’s Premium Economy cabin is also being revamped.
“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.
The Business Premier cabin is being enhanced with an on-demand food and drinks service and an “enhanced sleep experience to ensure travellers really do feel they’ve snuggled into their own bed”.
Fyfe claimed each of the three cabins on long haul aircraft of the future will be a step ahead of competitors from a comfort perspective.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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