First images of NZ's new product!

[cavemanzk]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4035/4294838188_1a3cfa6ba8_o.png

This video popped up on Youtube today, Looks like the ad for Monday. The video is marked as private so you can view it. You are able to find it by searching "Air New Zealand" sorted by upload date.

Atleast the seats don't look like they are pink!

[Cargo744]

Gee! What a lucky find for you! considering you are probably from the NZ marketing department

[cavemanzk]

Gee! What a lucky find for you! considering you are probably from the NZ marketing department

Nope if I was from the NZ marketing department it would have included a Pink Uniform & Cougars!

[slamer.]

Lie back for the long haul

4:00 AM Sunday Jan 24, 2010


http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/AirNZ_220x14751105.jpg

Forget about flying high, Air New Zealand passengers will be laid low by new seats that allow them to lie back, stretch out and sleep - a world first for economy-class travel.
While Air New Zealand is remaining tight-lipped about the new design, it indicates it has "created the ability for passengers to lie down comfortably".
It is preparing for the unveiling, on Tuesday, of a new lie-flat seat that has been a year in development. The airline has built a full-size replica of a Boeing 777-300 economy-class cabin in a shed on Auckland's Viaduct Harbour, near the Air New Zealand headquarters.
"A team of Air New Zealanders has been conceptualising, building, testing and refining a range of new products and interiors that will quite simply redefine long-haul travel and set a benchmark for competitors to follow," said chief executive Rob Fyfe.
An ergonomic furniture designer, who did not want to be named, said it would be intriguing to see what Air New Zealand unveiled.
"There would be an insurmountable problems getting the numbers in," he said. "It sounds like they could be going to stack people up on the sides, but this could also pose problems of safety." In a previous long-haul overhaul Air New Zealand concentrated on the lie-flat business class seats.By Rebecca Lewis

[tinpis]

http://www.rugebregt.com/rudy/newzealand/SheepSkinMacs.jpg

:rolleyes:

[Buster Hyman]

Tinpis! := No porn links allowed!

[sagan]

Few things make me laugh these days, but that post from Tinpis just did it.

[cavemanzk]

Not sure if I should post this image!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2776/4294962818_7c7b838f4f_o.png

[Buster Hyman]

Fcuk me! Those are banana lounge's!!!:eek:

[blueloo]

Are they home made chairs?

[slamer.]

Economy gets more laid back

4:00 AM Monday Jan 25, 2010
http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/sims_220x14774621.jpg

Air New Zealand's long-haul boss Ed Simms says the airline is concentrating on comforts in the cabin.

Air New Zealand's long-haul boss Ed Simms says the airline is concentrating on comforts in the cabin.
While the spotlight has been on Air New Zealand's uniform replacement, the airline will this week unveil one of its most significant aircraft interior upgrades in years.
The changes are likely to mean more comfortable economy class seats with more fold-down or fold-out features.The airline is promising the final prototypes will represent "a significant step-change in long-haul travel".
Air New Zealand's long-haul airline boss Ed Simms has been working on aircraft interiors for the past 25 years and says the tough economic environment facing airlines makes the revamp more critical than ever.
Airlines are faced with demands from passengers to have access to more technology and connectivity to the ground - which can yield new income for airlines - and to balance that with cabin ambience.
He said many airlines in the Northern Hemisphere were looking to generate income through selling food or taking a cut from those booking further travel or shows while airborne.
Air New Zealand's long-haul passengers flew further than most and for that reason the airline was concentrating on comforts in the cabin, rather than leaping into connectivity with the ground.
"The last thing you want when you're in 23K is to hear someone saying they're two hours away from the airport. We're looking for a balance."
The airline was assessing means of enabling a form of text or email access and evaluating whether voice contact should be permitted. "My preference is that I would rather not enable incoming voice calls," Simms said.
In November the airline will receive the first of five Boeing 777-300s. The multimillion interior redesign comes after a secret testing programme including members of the public and staff.
A replica of a 777 cabin was set up near Air New Zealand's downtown Auckland headquarters and during the three-year programme the airline learned more from hotels and boatbuilders, rather than the aviation industry,
about how to get a good-quality rest throughout the aircraft. Business-class seats already fold down flat and these could be improved with greater foam thickness and shoulder width.
The bigger challenge has been to get improved rest in premium economy and economy. Economy seats are likely to have more fold-down or fold-out features, making it easier for families or groups of friends to travel together.
"Most of our closer competitors geographically are putting their innovations into first class - that's not an area where Air New Zealand is."
The furniture around the seat will be substantially overhauled. "What we're finding from customers is that they're wanting us to replicate conditions and the environment that they create for themselves at home."
Increasingly passengers want to work on a laptop while listening to an iPod and eat at the same time, Simms said."That's a huge ergonomic challenge. We've spent a lot of time trying to create three separate spaces."
The cabin will also feature different storage areas in and around seats,"People carry more gadgetry than before, people want to know where their stuff is and the security of it."
Enhancing personal space was also a priority. This not only related to the distance between seats or seat pitch but also how passengers felt trapped by meal carts which had resulted in a rethink of how and when service
could be delivered around the cabin.

Entertainment systems are in for an overhaul, with more frequently loaded content including that from YouTube."We're moving on from saying we will dictate what movies you will watch to saying can an airline list
the top 10 sites on YouTube and move to the short, sound-bite type entertainment rather than the three-hour blockbuster."
Simms said the airline also wanted to provide more of the type of food people ate at home and give more flexibility about when and where passengers ate.

Air New Zealand has been named airline of the year by Air Transport World and chief executive Rob Fyfe said the remodelling shown early to the judges was a factor in the award.

[topend3]

NZ always seem to be at the forefront of new thinking, unfortunately the same cant be said for QF

[tinpis]

Supplied by "The Warehouse" at Samoanehunga?

[ozangel]

Having not flown AirNZ for a decade, we thought we would give em a try after realising we had buckleys and none of getting on staff travel to our original destination. Flew on the 73, A320 and 74.

WOW - what a fresh, clean feel - and whether you like the 'bare essentials' or not, the catchy tune seems to put people in a good mood (even the crew who must have heard it for the umteenth time that week - had a giggle as passengers caught on).

It's been so long since i've stepped on airliners that don't smell like egg and arse - with tidy floors and a colour scheme that isn't harsh or bland.

So to step on the 'older two' (73 and 74) and not smell egg, arse or a bucket load of 'nilodor' was refreshing.

[henry crun]

Yer right Tin, I am told they did consider a Bunnings offer to beat the Warehouse by 15% but decided it would not look good to support an ocker company.

[7378FE]

Maybe NZ should buy QF and show them how long haul should be done. :ok:

What happened to QF long haul, it's now a disgrace.

It's not like they compete with a load of LCC's on their long haul routes.

JQ would beat QF in Economy on any long haul route.

I have flown both JQ & QF to HNL and JQ was miles ahead in Y.

Even paying for food and drink, I could have purchased the whole JQ trolley, and still had a load of $$$ left over, in comparison to the QF fare.

[Buster Hyman]

Maybe NZ should buy QF...
Trust me...Don't go there! :eek:

[blueloo]

I have flown both JQ & QF to HNL and JQ was miles ahead in Y.

Now now - you only say that cause JQ broke down and QF rescued you - thereby hopping on QFs old, yet superior product - where its all about choice.....the choice to refuse all the stuff you would normally have to pay extra for! :}

[CabinCrew747]

I'm very excited to see the new product tomorrow...but guys, please don't knock QF's new longhaul, which in terms of hard product, is probably one of the best out there! Especially in economy with the self serve bars, USB, power and RJ45 ports, foot nets, sliding seat base, Panasonic IFE, hard shell design. It's streets ahead of most competitors.

Premium is a market leader, Business is tried, tested and popular so that was expanded upon and First is simply a wonderful product. With the A380s space and different areas in each cabin to relax i.e. lounge and self serve bars as well as it's WiFi, it makes for a very pleasant long haul product which is seemingly being expanded on to the B747s and integrated into shorthaul on the A332s and B738s.

Catering in the Premium cabins is consistently ranked among the best by frequent flyers, especially when it comes to quality, the same goes for the wines.

[tinpis]

Do yer still get boiled lollies on descent?

[topend3]

"A team of Air New Zealanders has been conceptualising, building, testing and refining a range of new products and interiors"

Does this mean AJ is going to start calling his staff Qantastralians?

[belowMDA]

Tinnie...

Yep:ok:
Invariably handed out by 5 year old budding flight attendants, just like the old days.

[WakeUpJeff]

And then you'd get a sick bag full of lollies for yerself. Choice as bro. :ok:

[slamer.]

Air NZ unveils new 'Skycouch' economy seats

11:15 AM Tuesday Jan 26, 2010


http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/plane-2201.jpg (http://javascript<b></b>:ExpandArticleImage();) Expand (http://javascript<b></b>:ExpandArticleImage();) 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.

http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/couple_gallery_140x70.jpg (http://www.pprune.org/travel/news/image.cfm?c_id=7&gal_objectid=10622347&gallery_id=108938) Photos (http://www.pprune.org/travel/news/image.cfm?c_id=7&gal_objectid=10622347&gallery_id=108938) Air NZ's new SkyCouch in action (http://www.pprune.org/travel/news/image.cfm?c_id=7&gal_objectid=10622347&gallery_id=108938) (4 pics)

[Artificial Horizon]

Now if this was a 'Jetstar' or 'Pacific Blue' innovation of buying the seat next to you at half price to ensure that you have exta room to relax I can imagine the response:ugh:

[ditch handle]

Sharing Air New Zealand's Skycouch | Stuff.co.nz (http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/3262044/Neighbours-to-share-Air-NZs-Skycouch)

I would want to wear gloves collecting those mattresses after a long night sector. :}

[Joker 10]

No chance, just old boilers

[Mud Skipper]

:\

Did I miss something.

Do AirNZ aircraft neaver hit unexpected turbulence or are there other seatbelts which secure the pax when they are lying down?

Don't see these seats lasting sorry but hope it goes without drama.

Mud.:eek:

[cribble]

I may be seen to be churlish at this observation but we seem to have forgotten "First Class" when we laud the proposed meal preparation.

I recall, for example, the exquisite breakfasts provided in MAS first class , when I travelled with them (no bacon, but glorious poached eggs).

Mud
Mate, you don't get CAA authority without adequate security of pax, and you don't spend the money going down here without CAA authority. The pax are going to be very safe.

[Mud Skipper]

Cribble,

I don't post much nowdays as there's always someone like you around.

Lets just wait and see - with luck no passengers will be bounced.

Give them another option though and I can see seatbelts being left off more than usual.

[Transition Layer]

Hahaha, this is the funniest **** I've seen in a long time! Check out the video at The Skycouch: Air NZ offers world's first economy class bed-seat (http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-news/the-skycouch-air-nz-offers-worlds-first-economy-class-bedseat-20100126-mvga.html). If it was April Fool's Day I'd think I'd been had!

Good work Air NZ, really innovative! Isn't this what people do currently on empty flights with a row of 3 or 4 seats to themselves?

[Artificial Horizon]

How do they know when to make these seats available?? They are saying families can buy the middle seat of the first 11 rows in economy for roughly half price. This means up to 33 seats on the aircraft being sold for half price. Why would they do this if these seats would potentially sell for a full fare?? or am I missing something here.

[Route Guide]

NEW INTERIOR A GAME-CHANGER, SAYS BOEING

SEATTLE, January 26, 2010 -- Boeing today congratulated Air New Zealand on being awarded Airline of the Year by Air Transport World, noting the carrier’s new inflight product is truly game-changing.


“It has been an exciting journey for Boeing to be involved in such an innovative project to improve passenger comfort,” said Jim Albaugh, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

“The new international seat layout will be a game-changer and reinforces Air New Zealand’s status among the world’s elite airlines. We are honored that Air New Zealand chose the 777 as the platform for its newest cabin features and we look forward to supporting Air New Zealand when the new interior enters service later this year. On behalf of all of us at Boeing, congratulations to everyone at Air New Zealand for winning Airline of the Year.”

Boeing

I guess the difference here in regard to the Y product (current versus new), is that the floor space is currently unusable with the current seat. By folding the new seat's footrest up to the new horizontal position, the total area is usable between seats, whether this be for 1 or 3 pax.

The real improvement here is the new Y+ seat. This looks to be way ahead of any other y+ product.

Go Air NZ!

[ZK-NSN]

I guess its innovative....kind of. Not worth the extra $$$ though.

[slamer.]

Cuddle class wins kudos on internet

4:00 AM Thursday Jan 28, 2010

http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/AirNZ3_220x147.jpg All Black Mils Muliaina and Olympic gold-medal cyclist Sarah Ulmer sample Air New Zealand's new menu.

Air New Zealand's new "cuddle class" seats have earned positive feedback in some tourist markets, although some travellers are worried they are only for short people.
The announcement of the cabin redesign for the new Boeing 777-300 jets, which will for the first time allow economy travellers to lie flat, or a couple to curl up, won kudos on the internet yesterday for thinking of those stuck in cattle class.
The Belfast Telegraph noted the deal was aimed at couples and families, and would be the price of about two and a half seats.
It quoted chief executive Rob Fyfe warning the lie-flat beds were not an invitation to join the mile-high club. "Just keep your clothes on, thanks," ran the popular quote.
The Daily Mail's website in Britain noted that cuddling, and nothing more, would be tolerated on the new beds, and welcomed them on behalf of economy flyers.
"The new seating is a welcome development for economy travellers who have faced ever-decreasing comfort levels on budget airlines in recent years as business class seats have become ever more luxurious."

[coconut99]

It's just too bad they are getting a 3-4-3 config in economy for their 77Ws. I would have thought better of air nz :=

[hueyshuffle]

Mudskipper, yep they have special seatbelts that can be worn when lying down on these things.

Artificial Horizon - i guess they've done the numbers. If 33 seats sell for half price then there's no weight on those seats.. 33 x 80kg (approx per person) 2640 kg. I fly bug smashers so just passing on info i've heard. a 777 which wants to carry an extra ton of fuel on a long haul needs to carry another tonne to burn because he's carrying that first ton. so if they're carrying 2.64 ton less because of those 33 seats then they can carry less fuel due to reduced payload and less fuel again because of the reduced need to carry the fuel in the first place. bit confusing but i think you get the idea.

my two cents re: skycouches. stupid. i'd rather spend the money when i get there..

[belowMDA]

Huey, it's not just the weight. For that seat they don't have to provide catering, baggage handling etc and nor is there any passenger tax associated so I reckon it'll be a money spinner.
I don't believe it's a stupid idea. I might not be prepared to pay for it but I bet you there are people that are, and that's all it takes.

As for managing selling the seats it's easy! Reserve the skycouch section for those willing to pay for it upfront, when or if the rest of economy sells out then just start selling these as individual seats if they aren't already sold. It's not rocket surgery:8

As for 3-4-3; yeah not so happy.

[hueyshuffle]

below mda - with you on the baggage catering etc. all those service costs add up...thats why jetstar etc offer cheaper seats (sh*te service...)

with respect to it being a stupid idea- I only meant for myself. for others who absolutely require their space or sleep or whatever, from a business point of view, its ingenious (sp?) to offer this service. in a world of standardised air travel, the opportunity cost of investing in a high profile step such as this is high, but so far it seems to be going air nz's way. i'll stick to my vertical sardine can though. poor instructor and that...

p.s: get me a cushy job flying aero commanders on a decent wage and i'll start buying the skycouches..

[RedTBar]

This might not be a bad idea for a FF in Y/C who is on business.He/She buys 2 1/2 seats ands gets to sleep with no one climbing over them to go to the toilet.
This would have to be cheaper than buying a premium Y/C or even J/C seat.

The part I find funny is that they are saying that this idea took 3 years to develop.

[Tarq57]

There are one or two rumours about that the new economy cabin will be 10 abreast, due to a narrowing of the aisles.
(Same rumours also indicate the new seats are 17" wide, replacing the earlier 17.8" seats.) Makes sense. You can only squeeze the aisles by so much.
This is on a business travel (http://www.businesstraveller.com/discussion/topic/ANZ-flat-beds-in-economy) website.

To me, long haul travel is 90% about the seat. The meal makes a welcome diversion to interrupt the tedium, and distract one from the discomfort. The IFE can divert attention from the cramped surroundings for a time, but I still want to be comfortable while I'm watching it.
I have not been in any comfortable economy seats within the past few years. I would willingly swap a fancy meal and a good IFE unit for a seat that allowed me to sleep in comfort. That means having a base that slopes up a little when the seat is reclined, a footrest, and a back that does not have computer designed lumbar support that tries to eject me from it. It also means a minimum 34" pitch. (36 was good, when it was the norm.)

If the seat width actually is reduced from "breathe-out-hard; quick, sit down" to "clench-and-hold", I will never fly long haul in these things again, unless it is the only way out of disaster zone. I think 18.5" should be a minimum width for long haul. And I'd pay a little extra for it. Or choose an option that had that as standard. I probably would not pay ~50% more for what is offered here.

I think I may be out of step with most others, though. Friends who regularly travel long haul talk about, in order 1) the cost; 2) the IFE; 3) the meal; 4) the cost; 5) the next meal; and 6) the cost. Nobody else I know seems overly concerned with comfort/sleep.

Anyone done the math to work out how many more seats there will end up being in the cabin with a 10 abreast arrangement, even when that total has 22 half price seats deducted?

Now, to be not entirely negative, the premium economy offering looks fairly tasty. As does the business unit.

Wouldn't it be good if travel centres had a mock up of the seat, so you could try before you buy.

[belowMDA]

RedT I would challenge you to come up with an idea, engineer it, build prototypes and then get it certified in three years! I know it sounds easy but I suspect it's not! Having said that I think the time pressures may have eased with the delay of the 78.

Tarq: it's not rumor unfortunately. Check this link for a photo of the LOPA. I can only hope the 78 is narrow enough to only take 3-3-3. I suspect they are doing this as they are probably facing serious price pressure from LCCs and the likes of Emirates (who I reckon are a LCC in economy: terrible product except maybe the 380).

Second Coach Cabin on Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/crankyflier/4304966981/in/set-72157623309353914/)

[joeflyguy]

It is most deff 3-4-3 in Y class.

Its so bad they have to re-engineer the meal and bar carts as they will no longer fit down the narrowed aisles.

How in hell are pax bags going to fit when boarding and deplaning, but of bigger concern is how are they going to get all pax off in an emergency when flying to the likes of the Pacific Islands with the many XL sized PI pax. ???

[dudduddud]

From today's NZ Herald:

http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/spoon_460x230.jpg

[Pamelah Andersen]

brilliant ;)

[WakeUpJeff]

Forking funny.

[Tarq57]

That's almost a spoonerism.

[BORAT SAGDIYEV]

whoop! whoop! pull out. :ooh:

[slamer.]

Air NZ to introduce mobile, web services

Keeping cellphones off during flights will soon be a thing of the past with Air New Zealand set to introduce new aircraft with mobile and web services later this year.
Those on board the new Boeing 777-300 aircraft which makes it maiden flight in November will be able to send and receive text messages and emails and use the internet during the cruise stage of flight, international airline group general manager Ed Sims said today.
But the airline does not plan to enable voice calls on board, based on customer feedback.
Customers would be able to use iPhone, Blackberrys and GSM mobile phones, along with laptops and Netbooks with a mobile broadband connection, like a Telecom T-Stick or Vodafone Vodem.
Passengers would also be requested to keep their phones on silent mode, Mr Sims said.
Customers would pay standard in-flight roaming costs and be billed by their own mobile service provider.
Telecom XT customers would pay 80c per outbound text and no cost to receive them, and $40 per megabyte of data for mobile broadband.
Other mobile phone providers, including Vodafone, would confirm their pricing in the coming months.The service would be delivered in partnership with in-flight phone and data operator Aeromobile but was still subject to regulatory approval, Mr Sims said.
- NZPA

[AirborneSoon]

@ $40 per MB you could end up doubling the cost of your fare....:eek:

[Pamelah Andersen]

Perhaps Continental will offer this on their new IAH - AKL direct service.

[slamer.]

World airlines queue up for Air NZ 'cuddle class' seats


11:00 AM Wednesday Dec 15, 2010



http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/SCCZEN_A_260110NSAIRNZ4_220x14779260.JPGExpand
(http://www.pprune.org/#)

Air New Zealand is in talks with other airlines wanting to use its new "cuddle class" economy seats.
The airline's first Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will land in Auckland on Christmas Eve, including new economy Skycouch seating, on which couples can lie down.
Air New Zealand chief executive Rob Fyfe said new premium economy Spaceseats on the aircraft would re-define that class of travel.
More than 30 airlines had been in contact with Air New Zealand and its seat manufacturers about the new seats, Fyfe said
Formal negotiations were underway with carriers from Asia, North America and Europe to license the seats after Air New Zealand had 18 months of exclusive use, he said.
"Four long years of planning and design are about to become a reality and there is a great deal of excitment within the airline about the game-changing aircraft we are about to introduce," he said.
"Few if any airlines have invested time and money in re-designing the economy experience and we've done it for both economy and premium economy."

The 338-seat aircraft, which will have 60 economy seats which can create 20 Skycouch combinations, will leave Boeing in Seattle on December 22 and fly to Auckland via Los Angeles, arriving on Christmas Eve.
A second aircraft was due for delivery in a few weeks with five on order.
The first routes for the aircraft would be on return services between Auckland, Los Angeles and on to London from April next year.
For two adults, purchasing the Skycouch will be based on buying two seats at standard prices with the third seat at approximately half price

[airtags]

- maybe they can have amorous Bruce B do his P class cuddle demo!!!!!!

......gives my PA about keeping your seat belt fastened at all times due to unexpected turbulence a whole new perspective!.........if the plane is a rockin.........

AT :E:E

[gordonfvckingramsay]

Will altimeters have to be recalibrated in miles as well? :}