Kiwi design backs Air NZ innovations
26 Jan 2010
Kiwi-designed lie-flat economy seats are a major feature of ground-breaking design innovations that Air New Zealand says will transform international air travel.
Air NZ is planning to introduce the new economy ‘skycouch’ and premium economy ‘spaceseat’ later this year.
The airline unveiled the revolutionary prototype designs in a full-scale Boeing 777-300 cabin at its central Auckland design innovation centre today (26.01.10).
The prototype is the result of three years work by a team that included top designers, boat builders, seat manufacturers and the aircraft makers Boeing.
Long haul travel redefined
Air New Zealand would redefine long haul travel and set a new benchmark for competitors with the arrival of its first Boeing 777-300 ER in November this year, Air NZ chief Rob Fyfe said.
"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," Fyfe 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!"
Skycouch or spaceseat
The ‘skycouch’ is a row of three seats that has been engineered to create a lie-flat, flexible space between the seat-backs, providing a flat surface for adults to relax and sleep on. It could also serve as a play area for small children.
There will be 22 skycouches - the first 11 window rows in economy class - in each plane.
For two adults travelling together, the skycouch purchase will be based on buying two seats at standard prices with the third seat at approximately half price. Airfare details will be announced when the skycouch goes on sale from late April.
Innovations in the premium cabins include a new ‘spaceseat’ offering "unparalleled comfort and legroom" for premium economy travellers, and an enhanced sleep experience for business premier travellers to "ensure travellers really do feel they’ve snuggled into their own bed," Fyfe said.
A new bean-bag footstool will offer some extra comfort for passengers.
Long-haul makeover
All three zones in Air New Zealand’s long-haul aircraft of the future will receive a makeover designed to put the airline ahead of competitors in comfort and experience. This includes new interior design, on demand food and beverage options, and new inflight entertainment that could include wine tasting and destination seminars.
The interior design will move away from traditional blues and greens to a more luxurious blend of chalk and deep ink colours that will be enhanced with mood lighting.
The award-winning Air NZ business premier experience will be enhanced with a complete on-demand food and beverage service, while premium economy will offer new shared-meal experiences "more familiar in tapas restaurants or bistros than at 35,000 feet," Fyfe said.
The planes will feature new oven technology that cooks food from scratch rather than simply reheating, and a new digital in-seat ordering service.
"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.
"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," Fyfe said.
First routes
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 services between Auckland and Los Angeles from December 2010, followed by return services between Auckland and Los Angeles and through to London from April 2011.
Air New Zealand expects to refit its fleet of eight Boeing 777-200 aircraft from mid 2010, with all Asian, North American and UK services to have the new product by around 2012.
The airline is predicting dramatic growth in premium economy. The new Boeing 777-300 will have 39% more premium economy seats than the 777-200, and 28% more than the 747-400.
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