Air New Zealand is taking further steps to improve its business class offerings. The latest version of its "Business Premier" seats will be seen in the air for the first time this month. These top-of-the-line seats will be installed on both refurbished and newly delivered Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets. To better compete with foreign airlines, the New Zealand carrier continues to strive for flights with competitive premium cabins.
The airline announced that similar modern suites will also be introduced on its Boeing 777 fleet. According to reports from Executive Traveller, these aircraft will soon receive the most premium configuration these jets have ever had in their long service life. This move aims to offer a more consistent premium product across the entire long-haul fleet.
No “Luxe” suites for the Boeing 777 – focus on consistency
Air New Zealand Chief Commercial Officer Jeremy O'Brian explained that the Boeing 777 upgrade will enhance the premium product and create much-needed consistency across the airline's premium cabins. He noted that the luxurious "Luxe" suites used on Boeing 787s will not be installed on the 777, as these aircraft are expected to remain in the fleet for some time, and upgrading the existing "Herringbone" seats makes more sense. The rollout of the "Luxe" suites on the Boeing 787s is expected to begin around 2028 and take approximately 18 months to two years to complete.
The decision not to equip the Boeing 777 fleet with top-of-the-line "Luxe" suites may come as a surprise. This is primarily because the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the most important element of the airline's long-haul network and is expected to remain in service for over a decade. However, until the Boeing 777 is finally retired, Air New Zealand aims to standardize its premium cabins. For example, the Boeing 777's Premium Economy seats will be upgraded, rather than offering the same seats as the Boeing 787. O'Brian emphasized that a significant investment in the fleet is still necessary.
Boeing 777 as a workhorse on important routes
The Boeing 777s equipped with the new premium seats will be deployed on many of the airline's key routes in the future. O'Brian emphasized that these aircraft are particularly well-suited for high-frequency routes to hubs of other Star Alliance partners, such as non-stop connections to Tokyo Narita Airport or Singapore Changi Airport.
The Boeing 777s feature a large premium cabin, which is beneficial for these high-demand routes and allows the airline to efficiently meet the needs of business travelers. Air New Zealand first deployed the Boeing 777 in 2010 as a fuel-efficient replacement for the Boeing 747, which previously formed the backbone of its global fleet. The Boeing 777 also introduced the "Skycouch" in Economy Class and has featured various cabin configurations over the years. The current premium cabin upgrade is part of a comprehensive NZD 2,06 billion brand refresh investment program previously announced for 2023.