Air New Zealand has revealed further details today of its eagerly anticipated new long-haul product to be launched later this year including new cabin names and first routes.
The airline's fleet of Boeing 747-400 aircraft and eight new Boeing 777-200 aircraft will be configured into a new three class layout of Business Premier, a new class for the airline called Pacific Premium Economy and Pacific Economy.
Business Premier will be a new premium cabin product to replace the airline's current First and Business Class long-haul product. The new cabin will provide features equivalent or better than First Class on many major airlines at a Business Class price.
Also confirmed today is that the airline's San Francisco route will be the first to offer a guaranteed refitted 747 service featuring the airline's new long-haul in-flight product.
Guaranteed refitted aircraft will next be available on selected services to Los Angeles, with London to follow.
While exact dates are yet to be announced, San Francisco is expected to be available by August, with Los Angeles and London on flights NZ 1 and NZ 2 by the end of the year.
Australian customers will be able to experience the new product when connecting through Auckland to Air New Zealand's long haul destinations. Refitted 747 aircraft will also fly between Melbourne and Auckland and Brisbane and Auckland on a regular basis from later this year.
"After a significant period of planning the introduction of a new long-haul product that reflects the very best of New Zealand style is nearly here," said Air New Zealand General Manager International Airline Ed Sims.
"New planes, new in-flight entertainment systems, new seats, new uniforms and a new food and beverage service are just some of the developments we are working on to dramatically improve our long-haul offering. It has been quite a journey and we look forward to delivering an absolutely market-leading product to our customers in the second half of this year."
Air New Zealand's new long haul product is set to be nothing short of world class when it start flying later this year with a superior features in all cabins.
Business Premier will offer completely lie-flat sleeping, with next generation sleeper seats all offered at a business class price.
The innovative design includes a comfortable, 22" wide leather armchair that converts into a 6ft 7.5" bed, an ottoman footrest that doubles as a visitor's seat, direct aisle access for all passengers, in-seat power and a high resolution 10.4" screen to view the on-demand entertainment system.
Pacific Premium Economy will be located in the premium cabin and feature the largest pitch in its class at 39"-40" together with a generous seat width and on-demand entertainment on a personal 8.4" high resolution screen.
Customers will enjoy many of the comforts of the premium cabin, including the same beverage service, LED mood cabin lighting and in-seat power for electrical devices.
It will make Air New Zealand the only airline to be offering premium economy seating on services to and from New Zealand.
"Exact fares for Pacific Premium Economy have yet to be finalised, but are likely to be around 25% more than Economy," says Mr Sims.
"On-sale dates, final pricing and exact aircraft configuration for all three classes will be announced shortly."
Pacific Economy will feature on-demand entertainment with high resolution 8.4" in-seat video screens and retain its generous 34" seat pitch on 747 aircraft.
The $160 million upgrade of the 747 fleet is already in progress, with suppliers well into production of key components including seats and interiors. The refit of the first aircraft is expected to begin in April and be flying by July.
The first of Air New Zealand's new 777 aircraft is expected to be in service in October.
ENDS
For further information contact:
Tanya Lim, Communications Manager Australia, Air New Zealand
Phone: 02 8235 9990 or 0414 747 340 Email: tanya.lim@airnz.co.nz
