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Air New Zealand will sell premium economy on its flights to Australia, Bali and the Pacific Islands from October.
Although the airline does currently use widebodied aircraft featuring the premium economy cabin to the above destinations, the seats were not sold as premium economy, as Air New Zealand said the mix of aircraft flying these routes made it difficult to offer the product previously.
However, Air NZ chief sales and commercial officer Cam Wallace said the introduction of the Boeing 787-9 and refurbishment of the 777-200ERs, as well as the retirement of the 747-400, meant the time was right to offer the cabin between economy and business for sale.
“We now have a consistent premium economy offering across our twin aisle widebody fleet,” Wallace said in a statement on Wednesday.
“We know many of our customers enjoy the extra space and comfort when travelling premium economy on our long-haul services and we’re looking forward to extending this product to shorter flights.”
Premium economy will be sold on flights operated by 777-200ER, 777-300ER and 787-9 aircraft on trans-Tasman, Pacific Islands and Bali services from October 25.
While the refurbished 777-200ER and 787-9 feature the same premium economy seat (pictured above), the 777-300ER has Air NZ’s Spaceseat.
The airline won the best premium economy class award at the Skytrax World Airline Awards, which were announced at the Paris airshow on Tuesday.
Air NZ trans-Tasman alliance partner Virgin Australia recently stopped offering premium economy on services between Australia and NZ. The Australian carrier now sells business and economy on its trans-Tasman services.
Greg
says:Great Move Air NZ
Will be a winner !
MATE
says:I always want to support Air New Zealand, but can not afford it.
graeme hooper
says:Great. Just need regular 787 services twice daily and will kill opposition and their 737”s.
Tyron
says:I hope this leads to more wide-bodied services on these generally short-haul routes. Since most of the Tasman/Pacific island network is serviced by the A320 one would think that premium economy on the single aisle jets is the next step? Perhaps when the A320 neo comes online? Great news for those flying out of Auckland, but flights from Queenstown, Christchurch and Wellington still won’t have a premium option (unless they fly with alliance partner Virgin).
Craigy
says:No interest to me. I don’t fly Air New Zealand along with Ryanair and Aeroflot
GAGA
says:So what is happening to the premium economy seats at the moment if they’re already fitted to the aircraft being used but are not sold as premium economy seats? They surely couldn’t just be leaving the seats empty, do normal economy tickets get the premium seats?
Greg
says:No, premium customers such as Gold , Koru members etc.. have access to them.
Peter Brown
says:Pictured premium economy seat is only on the 6 777-300ERs. You get a much inferior seat on the 787 and refurbished 777-200”s.. Mr. Wallace’s statement that they now offer a consistent product across the fleet is hard to believe. The 787 premium economy is also pictured.. It is considerably different and inferior.. The service and food are probably consistent. NZ use to be the leading trend setter when it came to seating.. with the sky couch. That period is over I guess.
Alan
says:The 772’s are being fitted with the same seat (which is very comfortable) as the 789’s in PE, hence consistent product, for this region. Only the 773’s typically used to US/UK have the Spaceseat. As innovative as it is, turns out that a lot of passengers don’t like facing away from each other when traveling together. I’m obviously in the minority though!