Air New Zealand has begun refitting its 777-200ER fleet with double the number of Pacific Premium Economy seats, and is also increasing the legroom available in these cabins.
Last year the carrier announced it would be increasing premium economy capacity on these aircraft from 18 to 36 seats (see online news September 29, 2008), and has now fitted the first of eight planes with the new configuration. The rest of the aircraft are expected to retrofitted by mid June, adding 72,000 extra premium economy seats to the airline's long-haul network.
Air New Zealand has also taken the opportunity to increase the legroom for premium economy passengers, from 38 inches to 41 inches, and is adding a self-service bar area for customers travelling in premium cabins.
The carrier’s 777-200ER aircraft operates long-haul routes from Auckland including Hong Kong-London, San Francisco, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Beijing, as well as selected Los Angeles services. The new seating configuration will be: Business Premier 26, Pacific Premium Economy 36 and Pacific Economy 242 (currently 269). The airline’s 747-400 aircraft currently feature 39 premium economy seats
For more information visit airnewzealand.co.uk.
Report by Mark Caswell
