Air NZ unveils new 'Skycouch' economy seats
11:15 AM Tuesday Jan 26, 2010
Expand An Air NZ publicity shot of its new 'Skycouch' seats.
An Air NZ publicity shot of its new 'Skycouch' seats.
Air New Zealand has this morning unveiled a new seat design for its long-haul economy passengers - called the "Skycouch".
The airline today showed off its prototype designs in a full-scale Boeing 777-300 cabin in built near its Auckland corporate headquarters.
Chief executive Rob Fyfe said the new seats would be installed in the first of its new Boeing 777-300ER planes that will arrive in November this year.
"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!"
The 'Skycouch', is a specially designed row of three seats, engineered to create a "lie-flat, flexible space all the way to the seat-back in front", said Fyfe.
He said this would provide a place for "kids to play, or the holy grail of economy travel - a flat surface for adults to relax and sleep."
Twenty-two sets of the Skycouch seats will be available in the plane, found in the first 11 window rows of the economy class cabin.
For two adults travelling, buying the Skycouch will be based on buying two seats at standard prices with the third seat at approximately half price. Full airfare details will be announced when it goes on sale from late April.
The airline is also changing its food and drinks service throughout the plane.
Fyfe said a customer would soon be able to order steaks from the business premier seats, or a pizza for two in its premium economy.
New oven technology in the aircraft would allow staff to cook food from scratch rather than simply reheating it. A new in-seat ordering service would mean it was "truly the first time real food has been served at 35,000 feet."
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 new seats will be on selected services between Auckland and Los Angeles from December this year followed by dedicated return services between Auckland and Los Angeles and through to London from April 2011.
Air New Zealand is re-fitting its existing fleet of eight Boeing 777-200s from mid next year. It says all its Asian, North American and UK services should have the new product in 2012.
Photos Air NZ's new SkyCouch in action (4 pics)