Air New Zealand Retrofit+New Business Class
Intro
Air New Zealand is in desperate need of a retrofit for all cabins, specifically business-class cabins. Well, Air New Zealand originally had plans to install brand new business class cabins on their upcoming 787 jets that were due to be delivered, but there has been a change of plans.
The Details
Air New Zealand has just sent its first 787 to be reconfigured in Singapore. The process of re-configuring the first jet can take quite some time just to work out all of the kinks involved. We can expect this specific 787 to enter service sometime in early 2025, although that is speculative. Of the 14 787s that Air New Zealand has, they will be all retrofitted in the next few years.
At the moment, the airline features two different layouts on their 787s:
Nine 787s are laid out with 18 business class seats (1-1-1 configuration), 21 premium economy seats, and 263 economy seats
Five 787s are laid out with 27 business class seats, 23 premium economy seats, and 215 economy seats
From now on, all of these will be modernized into this configuration (although not the upcoming deliveries).
In the future, these 787s will be laid out with 26 business class seats, 33 premium economy seats, and 213 economy seats.
I have to say, that is quite a large overall jump in premium capacity. Additionally, we can see that some of the newer jets might go as far as to feature over 48 business-class seats (presumably for XLR routes)!
Air New Zealand New Business Class
Air New Zealand will be installing a new business class on all of these jets. While it doesn't look overly innovative, it does seem to be spacious, and it is a big step up to that 1-1-1 configuration it was in before (hashtag coffin style).
The seats feature almost everything you would expect from a modern-day business-class product, minus the doors. I don't mind that personally, but some people find the option of a door quite a big deal, which I also understand. This new product will be retrofitted into all of the existing 787s and the upcoming ones that are due to be delivered.
Additionally, as we come to see from multiple airlines around the world, the first row will be marketed as "business lux," featuring extra foot space and the option to buddy dine. This is a nice concept, but let's see how they price it🙂.
Final Thoughts
Air New Zealand has just begun retrofitting its first 787 with all new cabins. With this new retrofit, expect a comfier experience in economy (skynest+skycouch), premium economy, and business class. Expect to see this rollout take some time, as the first aircraft always takes quite a while.
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