Hot off the press - Air New Zealand's new economy beds!

Air NZ is planning to introduce the new economy ‘skycouch’ and premium economy ‘spaceseat’ later this year.

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!

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. The planes will feature new oven technology that cooks food from scratch rather than simply reheating, and a new digital in-seat ordering service.

Take a look for yourself here

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.

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