With the delivery of eight new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners from 2024, Air New Zealand has unveiled refreshed cabins which include a new Business Premier Luxe suite, a new Business Premier seat and the world’s first Economy Class ‘Skynest’ sleeping pods.
On Wednesday (June 29, 2022), Air New Zealand revealed new cabin designs for their Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners scheduled for delivery from 2024, created to provide the best sleep experience regardless of the cabin customers choose to fly in. The airline’s current fleet of 787-9s will also be retrofitted with the new cabins. For Business Class guests, Air New Zealand will offer a new spacious and private Business Premier Luxe suite featuring a fully closing door and space for two to dine, as well as new Business Premier seats. The carrier’s new Premium Economy seats will offer more privacy and a protected space so guests can recline without disturbing the passenger seated behind them. The aircraft will also feature six Economy Skynest pods, the world’s first sleep pods in the sky. First introduced in 2020, the cabin will also offer Economy Skycouch, with a row of seats for gests to sit, spread out, or lie down and snooze.
In Tuesday’s announcement, Air New Zealand’s Chief Executive Officer, Greg Foran, said,
“New Zealand's location puts us in a unique position to lead on the ultra-longhaul travel experience. We have zeroed in on sleep, comfort, and wellness because we know how important it is for our customers to arrive well-rested. Whether they are heading straight into a meeting, or to their first holiday hotspot - they want to hit the ground running. It's a proud moment to finally unveil five years of hard mahi, in what truly is a cabin of possibility. One that will provide customers with options to get some shut eye wherever they're sitting. We wanted to offer our Economy customers a lie-flat option and that's how Skynest was born. It's going to be a real game changer for the economy travel experience.”
Air New Zealand's CEO Greg Foran Discusses New Cabin Products - Courtesy Air New Zealand
Also commenting on the new cabin design rollout, Air New Zealand’s Chief Customer and Sales Officer, Leanne Geraghty, said,
“Whether we are welcoming visitors or flying New Zealanders home, we want our customers to experience Aotearoa from the moment they step onboard – and get the best night's rest. Research shows us the first night away from home is the hardest to get a good night's sleep so everything we do onboard is to help create a sense of calm – from the lighting and sleep ritual including sleepy teas and balms, to the healthier food choices and breathable fabrics. Meditative onscreen content, Zentertainment, will also help customers unwind and get ready for rest. Our new cabin experience is set to be world class, and we know our customers will love it.”
Air New Zealand's New Business Premier Luxe Suite Product - Courtesy Air New Zealand
In addition the Skynest and Skycouch options, Economy Class guests can select an Economy Stretch seat, which offers more legroom than the regular economy seat. The standard Economy Class seat has also been enhanced with more comfort, space and storage, along with a 50 percent larger IFE screen and Bluetooth connectivity.
Air New Zealand Unveils New Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Cabins - Courtesy Air New Zealand
The eight new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners arriving from 2024 and retrofitted current 787-9s will have either four or eight Business Premier Luxe Suites, 22 or 42 Business Premier, 33 or 52 Premium Economy, and 213 or 125 Economy Class seats. The aircraft that will be deployed on ultra-long-haul routes will also feature six Skynest sleep pods. Air New Zealand has also added a Sky Pantry to the Premium Economy and Economy cabins, offering customers a space to stretch their legs, grab a snack and hydrate throughout their journey.
Renderings of Air New Zealand's New Boeing 787-9 Cabin Products - Courtesy Air New Zealand
Source: Air New Zealand