Air NZ sets its sights on cheaper luxury

By MATHEW DEARNALEY

Giants with money to burn could circle the world almost 17 times on their backs in a refurbished Air New Zealand jumbo jet before running out of fresh in-flight movies.

The airline yesterday announced plans to transform long-haul flying for both economy and premium customers from next year with a $160 million refit of seven of its eight Boeing 747s.

Included in the upgrade will be leather armchairs and ottoman foot seats that convert to fully flat beds measuring 2.02m for top-end passengers. Personal video screens will be on every seat, with movies, games and music on demand.

Eight Boeing 777-200 ER (extended range) jets which Air NZ ordered this month at a cost of more than $1 billion will have matching interiors and services when they start arriving in September next year.

Air NZ promises lower fares at the premium end of the market without compromising creature comfort.

Economy passengers will not gain leg room, but the airline says they already have the world's largest long-haul seat pitch for the class, at 86cm, and seats will be designed to give more living space.

General manager of airlines Rob Fyfe said premium-class deals helped boost Virgin's market share between Britain and the United States by 5 per cent, and he would be happy with just a fraction of that.

Chief executive Ralph Norris said Air NZ was particularly conscious of the demands long-haul travel placed on passengers.

"Premium customers have been telling us that if we could deliver a world-beating product at a sharp price, we would see more of their business on routes we fly."