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Air New Zealand debuts entirely redesigned 777
Air New Zealand has been hard at work for nearly 4 years in an effort to reinvent their long-haul experience. Working with multiple design firms and a series of focus groups, the airline developed two entirely new styles of seats for their Economy and Premium Economy classes in addition to an array of brand-new features never before seen on a 777.
Economy class on the new craft features a design dubbed as the 'Skycouch' (also known as Cuddle Class), with footrests that transform three-across seats into a lie-flat area for couples or families traveling with children.
The new Premium Economy features two types of hard shell designs; inboard seats geared towards couples and those looking to socialize, and outboard seats for individual passengers who prefer to have privacy. Every single seat on the plane has a standard power outlet, USB port, and an S-Video connector to display your personal media on the seat back's touchscreen.
Gallery: Air New Zealand's new 777
The airplane's galleys are equipped with induction ovens; which will hopefully change the age-old notion of "airplane food" by cooking up steak, burgers, pizza, and proper Kiwi breakfasts on-demand via Panasonic's custom In Flight Entertainment system.
Air New Zealand has also created in-flight experiences such as a children's story-time in the rear galley, and a social galley in the front of the plane that will host wine tasting sessions with an Inflight Concierge.
In a time when most carriers are cutting corners and looking for ways to nickel and dime the passenger, it's incredibly refreshing to see such forward-thinking features in every class of the cabin. And it's already paying off for Air New Zealand; more than 30 airlines have expressed interest in licensing the new seat designs after an 18 month period of exclusivity for ANZ.
Check back for updates and full impressions as Gadling joins the inaugural flight of ZK-OKM to LAX and on to Auckland!
Filed under: Business, Photos, North America, Oceania, United States, New Zealand, Airlines, Luxury Travel
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
actionwriter Dec 24th 2010 11:31PM
Bravo Zulu Air NZ!! Customer service has always been number one with the Kiwis. We'll look forward to flying this route again in January!!
Stephen Richardson Dec 23rd 2010 5:41AM
"Every single seat on the plane has a standard power outlet, USB port, and an S-Video connector to display your personal media on the seat back's touchscreen." I hope that doesn't include the pilots seat.
tom Dec 24th 2010 7:46AM
All the hassles at the airport might actually be worth it to fly on that plane.
rob Dec 24th 2010 8:25AM
I do believe they went a little overboard. How much extra is the plane going to cost passengers to fly.
Danny Dec 24th 2010 8:57AM
It's good to see a company going back to the business of "customer service." Maybe the industry will benefit from their initiative and follow suit accordingly. After almost 30 years of dependence on air travel for my job I'm happy to say I no longer am held hostage by airports...airlines...& the TSA. Personal vehicle..Amtrak...& even Greyhound are now my preferred modes of travel.
Kudos to ANZ anyway.
BRUCE Dec 24th 2010 8:53AM
CAN ANYONE GO A DAY WITHOUT A CELL PHONE, COMPUTER, GPS, IPOD, IPAD, ETC, ANYMORE? I HAVEN'T FLOWN SINCE 2007, AND FROM WHAT I KEEP READING ABOUT SECURITY AND TSA, I HOPE I NEVER GET ON A PLANE AGAIN. ALSO, I REFUSE TO GO 6 OR 7 HOURS WITHOUT A CIGARETTE FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF FLIGHT.
Songstar Dec 24th 2010 9:18AM
Hey Bruce....... a truly dedicated smoker! Let me say, I've done that flight, wholly nonsmoking..... ate myself silly though! lol
eva1503 Dec 24th 2010 9:27AM
I agree with you bruce 100%. with the tsa doing what they are to normal travellers, its not worth flying anymore. Cruising is my mode of travel now.
just fly home for funerals now how sad.
pete Dec 24th 2010 10:53AM
The only time I fly any more is internationally, and if there were any other way to make those trips I would most assuredly take them. I'm more than willing to plan ahead far enough that I can drive and avoid the hassle of flying, and since they legalized groping and sexual assault by TSA, I'm even more sure of my decision.
John Dec 24th 2010 9:44AM
Smart, Smart, Smart.
Domestic airlines should be ashamed of themselves. When I travel oversease I am constant amazed by the quaility of service.
Dr Silverhawk Dec 24th 2010 12:49PM
The TSA should be abolished by Congress. The sheeple of America should refuse to fly for any reason until this is accomplished. The airlines, being private enterprise should say who flies and who doesn't. The actions of a few (muslim terrorists) should dictate who and who doesn't fly. If muslims want to fly they need to root out the undesirables from amongst their people or suffer the consequences of their inaction (enabling). Their dishonesty as a group is as plain as a huge pimple on their nose. The liars among them should be buried wrapped in bacon.
k Dec 24th 2010 10:39AM
Moronic coverage. All the pictures are of the outside of the plane which is virtually identical to any other 777. Where did this writer go to school? Hollywood? Or is it just PR to actually capitalize on no changes?
joyce Dec 24th 2010 1:11PM
I BET THEY DON'T HAVE A BUNCH OF ASS HOLES THAT CALL THEMSELFS V.P.'S OR PRESEDNTS OF NOTHING BUT OVER PRICED PAY CHECKS.IF U.S. AIR LINES GOT RID OF THE DEAD BEATS AT THE TOP AND STARTED TAKING CARE OF THE PEOPLE THAT FLY.GOT TO HAVE MORE V.P.'S THAN WE HAVE FINGERS AND TOES,COUNT THE PRES.ON BOTH HANDS,CXX'S ON ONE HAND ALL DEAD BEATS ON TOP.
DG Dec 24th 2010 2:07PM
Yeah, all that fancy expensive equipment on a $150 million airplane and everyone still expects good customer service, safe and on time, a pillow blanket, meals, wine, trained flight crews and technicians and whatever else at deep discount prices. You know, travelocity and cheap tickets.com. Now we bitch about a decent attempt on REAL security vs the minimum wage/ minorites that worked for WACKENHUT. The idiots that used to be in charge of airport security screening. And again, all for $39 rountrip tickets. You people are insane.
naomi Dec 27th 2010 11:08AM
did they put a few extra large seats for the bigger flyer,
Lee Dec 27th 2010 12:52PM
This seems like the first small step to bringing back customer service! Maybe some American company will see this, and want to give it a try? I suspect that people under 40 have never experienced real customer service...we've just come to accept talking to computers when we call a business, or dealing with someone that has never heard the English language spoken before? Good luck Air New Zealand!
actionwriter Dec 27th 2010 2:19PM
Why is it people just can't understand this is not an advertising board?? They JUST HAVE to cone online and reply with that atrocias "I met my boyfriend who is almost 15 years older than me on idiotsliketomeet""... or whatever and they think thousands of people are going to move over to that link and look for romance??
stupid people should not breed. Gads.
chris Dec 27th 2010 4:03PM
Sounds nifty. Tickets start at $10,000 for economy.
Harry Hurt Dec 27th 2010 3:42PM
Actionwriter and Dr. Silverhawk are absolutely right.
ron Dec 28th 2010 7:25AM
So where is the picture of the couch? Idiots