[Timbo]

First of new look 747s unveiled


The first of eight upgraded Boeing 747-400s is ready to go into service with Air New Zealand




Air New Zealand
12 July 2005

Air New Zealand has unveiled the first of its upgraded Boeing 747s at Auckland International Airport.

Twenty million dollars has been spent adding new entertainment gear to the plane, and improving facilities for business travellers.

It has taken more than 60,000 hours of work to revamp the airline's first new look 747-400 aircraft.

Upgrading the whole fleet of eight 747s will cost $160 million.

But Air New Zealand CEO Ralph Norris says it sets the platform for the company to grow its long-haul business.

The Business Premier class has the longest bed available in the skies.

In Pacific Premium Economy class, the seats cost about 25 percent more but are more roomy and there is on screen digital entertainment.

There is also a more basic Pacific Economy class.

The newly fitted out 747 will operate across the Tasman and to Los Angeles from August 7.

[selchie]

So let's see, in regular English does Business Premier Class = First Class, Pacific Premium Economy = Business, and Pacific Economy = Steerage? It sounds like the Pathetic Economy seats won't have anything extra in the way of individual screens, n'est pas?

[GeorgeM]

I think that the ordinary economy seats will have seat back videos. Most airlines flying from NZ through to Europe now have these so AirNZ has had to go that way to compete.

From their website http://www.airnz.co.nz/travelinfo/ontheplane/new_long_haul_cabins/default.htm:

Pacific Economy

Challenging your expectations
How do you create the best economy class experience in the world? By completely redefining the idea of economy travel with enhanced space and a greater range of on demand entertainment options than ever before.

The comfort
When you travel in Pacific Economy, you'll experience an industry-leading level of personal space with a seat pitch of 34" in our 747 aircraft. Just settle into your ergonomically designed seat, adjust the headrest and make yourself comfortable.

The entertainment
Every Pacific Economy seat has a high-resolution 8.4" screen with on demand audio and video. There's no need to wait for your movie or programme to start, because you control the action.


If only they had a route to the UK which didn't involve having to transit the US - all that hassle just to refuel has made us look to the other routes for our trip back to the UK at Christmas.