Air NZ looking at another makeover

Just three years on from a branding overhaul, Air New Zealand is reviewing its uniform and livery - and the possibility for economy passengers to sleep comfortably on flights.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported yesterday that the airline would be the first in the world to offer economy passengers the chance to buy the seat next to them for about $150 extra if it was empty. The two seats would slide forward to be used as a bed.

The newspaper said the airline was reluctant to reveal details until it announced the relaunch of its aircraft interiors before the arrival of several Boeing 777-330ER jets next year.

Group general manager international airline Ed Sims said yesterday that speculation Air NZ was launching a lie-flat economy-class bed was "misleading" but research was well underway.

"While improving personal space and allowing our economy passengers to sleep flat remains our Holy Grail, we are still in the middle of a research and development process to deliver the world's best long-haul travel."

He said plans for change were not restricted to seat design. "We've had some of the best technical, engineering, research and customer service brains ... working on a range of ground-breaking products. We're also redesigning our aircraft livery, our uniform and a whole range of other products."

Asked yesterday whether this meant changes for the famous koru design and uniform, Mr Sims said: "All details are confidential ... further details will be revealed next year."

But he added: "The most significant innovations will be revealed with the launch of our new long-haul product for our new Boeing 777-300ERs, which start arriving in late 2010."