Air New Zealand premium economy seats

Traveling long-haul can be a test of endurance, especially when you're caught between the desire for comfort and the reality of your budget. Economy class often feels cramped, while Business Class can seem like an unattainable luxury. But what if there was a sweet spot, offering significantly more comfort without the exorbitant price tag?

Enter Air New Zealand Premium Economy seats. This cabin class is designed to bridge that very gap, providing an elevated travel experience that prioritizes space, service, and enhanced amenities. If you're wondering whether upgrading to Premium Economy on your next Air New Zealand flight is truly worth it, you've come to the right place. This comprehensive guide will delve into every aspect of the Air New Zealand Premium Economy experience, helping you decide if it's the perfect choice for your journey.

What is Premium Economy?

Premium Economy is a distinct cabin class that sits comfortably between standard Economy and Business Class. It's not just an Economy seat with a bit more legroom; it's a thoughtfully designed product aimed at offering a more comfortable and enjoyable flight experience. Airlines like Air New Zealand have invested in this cabin to cater to travelers who seek noticeable upgrades in comfort, service, and overall value without committing to the higher cost of Business Premier.

Air New Zealand Premium Economy: The Elevated Experience

Air New Zealand's Premium Economy cabin is renowned for its harmonious balance, offering significant enhancements over Economy while remaining distinct from the lie-flat luxury of Business Premier. You'll find this cabin available on their wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, primarily on international long-haul routes, including all flights between the United States and New Zealand.

Seat Comfort & Space

The cornerstone of any premium cabin is the seat itself, and Air New Zealand's Premium Economy seats deliver. Passengers can expect luxurious leather recliner seats that are noticeably larger and more spacious than those in Economy.

Key features include:

• Generous Pitch: A substantial 41-42 inches of seat pitch, providing significantly more legroom compared to Economy's 31-35 inches. This extra space even allows you to slide past your neighbor without them needing to move.
• Increased Width: Seats are typically 19.3 to 20 inches wide, offering more elbow room.
• Enhanced Recline: Enjoy up to 9 inches of recline, which is approximately 50% more than standard Economy seats. On some Boeing 787-9 aircraft, a "fixed shell" design ensures your recline doesn't intrude on the passenger behind you, preserving personal space.
• Support & Features: Seats come with an adjustable headrest, leg rest, and extendable foot support, designed to accommodate various passenger heights.
• Power & Connectivity: All Premium Economy seats are equipped with in-seat universal AC power outlets and USB-A ports, allowing you to charge your devices throughout the flight.
• Cabin Layout: The Premium Economy cabin typically features a 2-4-2 configuration on the Boeing 777-300ER and a 2-3-2 layout on the Boeing 787-9, creating a more intimate and less crowded environment than the larger Economy cabins.

Dining & Beverages

Prepare for a culinary upgrade in Air New Zealand Premium Economy. Meals are a significant step up from Economy, often sharing some dishes with the Business Premier menu. You'll be treated to:

• Quality Presentation: Meals are served on china crockery with glassware and metal cutlery, a welcome departure from plastic.
• Kiwi-Inspired Cuisine: Menus feature fresh, high-quality, and seasonal ingredients with a modern Kiwi twist, curated by a talented culinary team.
• Multi-Course Meals: On long-haul flights, expect two full meal services (e.g., dinner and breakfast). Dinner might include an appetizer (like a mixed tasting plate with tabbouleh, beetroot hummus, and dolmades), a choice of three entrees (seafood, red meat, or white meat options such as slow-cooked lamb or New Zealand hāpuka fish), and a decadent dessert like salted caramel cream cheese mousse.
• Premium Beverage Selection: A wide selection of complimentary New Zealand wines, beers, and ciders are available, alongside international spirits, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and water. Air New Zealand even has onboard "Wine Consultants" to help with pairings.
• On-Demand Snacks: Between meals, you can help yourself to a snack basket in the galley or order snacks and drink refills directly to your seat via the in-flight entertainment system. Special dietary meals can also be pre-ordered.

In-Flight Entertainment

Keeping entertained on a long flight is crucial, and Air New Zealand's Premium Economy ensures you have plenty of options. Each seat comes with a personal touchscreen TV, typically 10.6 to 11 inches in size – the same size as screens found in some Business Class cabins.

The entertainment system boasts over 1,700 hours of content, including:

• Latest blockbuster movies and popular TV shows.
• A selection of video games, sports, and trivia games.
• A dedicated kids' section.
• USB and iPod connections to view your own content.
• Noise-Canceling Headphones: Provided for an immersive audio experience, a noticeable upgrade from standard Economy headphones.
• Wi-Fi: Free inflight Wi-Fi is available on most aircraft, though it's always wise to check your specific flight details on the Air New Zealand app.
• Seat Chat: A unique feature allowing you to communicate with other passengers on board via a private messenger.

Amenities and Service

Beyond the hard product, the soft touches truly enhance the Premium Economy experience.

• Amenity Kit: Upon boarding, you'll find an amenity kit waiting at your seat. These sustainable kits, made from recycled paper, typically include Aotea skincare products (featuring native New Zealand flora), a toothbrush, toothpaste, eye mask, flight socks, earplugs, and a pen.
• Comfort Essentials: A larger pillow and a plush, full-size premium blanket are provided, offering more comfort than those in Economy. A bottle of water is also placed at your seat.
• Dedicated Cabin Crew: Enjoy world-class Kiwi hospitality and premium service from dedicated cabin crew who are attentive, friendly, and professional, often rivaling or exceeding service found on competitor airlines.

Airport Experience & Baggage Privileges

The premium experience begins even before you step on board.

• Priority Check-in: At larger airports, Premium Economy passengers have dedicated check-in lines. At smaller airports, you can use the Business Class counter.
• Priority Boarding: You'll be invited to board the plane early, right after Business Premier passengers, allowing for a more relaxed boarding process.
• Priority Baggage: Your luggage receives priority handling, meaning it's among the first to arrive on the carousel.
• Generous Baggage Allowance: Premium Economy tickets include a substantial baggage allowance: two checked bags, each weighing up to 23 kg (50 lbs), and two carry-on bags with a combined weight of up to 14 kg (30 lbs), with no single carry-on item exceeding 10 kg (22 lbs). This is double the checked baggage allowance of standard Economy.

Is Air New Zealand Premium Economy Worth It?

The million-dollar question: is the upgrade to Air New Zealand Premium Economy seats truly worth the additional cost? While Premium Economy fares are typically two to three times more than the lowest discount Economy fares, they are significantly more affordable than Business Class.

Consider these factors:

• Flight Duration: For long-haul international flights (e.g., across the Pacific to North America), the added comfort, space, and enhanced dining can make a substantial difference to your overall well-being upon arrival.
• Personal Comfort: If you value personal space, the ability to recline significantly, and a quieter, more attentive service, Premium Economy offers excellent value. The larger, more comfortable seats and improved amenities contribute to a more restful journey.
• Budget vs. Value: If Business Class is out of your budget but Economy feels too restrictive, Premium Economy strikes an excellent balance. It's an investment in a more enjoyable travel experience, especially for solo travelers who appreciate the extra space and upgraded catering.
• Work or Relaxation: The larger tray tables, in-seat power, and comfortable environment make it easier to work or relax with the extensive in-flight entertainment.

Ultimately, many travelers find Air New Zealand Premium Economy to be a worthwhile upgrade, particularly for overnight or extended flights, due to the comfortable seat design, generous pitch, and excellent food and wine offerings.

Booking Tips for Air New Zealand Premium Economy

Ready to experience the comfort of Air New Zealand Premium Economy seats? Here are a few tips for booking:

1. Book Directly: The official Air New Zealand website is often the best place to start. You can easily compare fare types and select Premium Economy options.
2. Consider Your Aircraft: Premium Economy is available on Air New Zealand's Boeing 787-9 and 777-300ER aircraft. Be sure to check the aircraft type for your specific flight when booking.
3. Seat Selection: You can select your preferred seat in Premium Economy from the time of booking up until you arrive at the airport, often at no additional charge.
4. Look for Deals: Keep an eye out for sales or promotions, as airlines sometimes offer competitive pricing for Premium Economy.

Conclusion

Air New Zealand Premium Economy offers a compelling proposition for travelers seeking a significantly enhanced flying experience without the full cost of Business Class. From the spacious, comfortable leather seats with ample recline and legroom to the elevated dining, premium amenities, and attentive service, it's a cabin designed for a more enjoyable and restful journey. While it doesn't include lounge access, the overall package of priority services and onboard comforts makes it a strong contender for your next long-haul flight.

Have you flown in Air New Zealand Premium Economy before? Share your experiences in the comments below! Or, if you're now considering an upgrade, what aspect of the Premium Economy experience appeals most to you?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Does Air New Zealand Premium Economy include lounge access?

No, Air New Zealand Premium Economy tickets generally do not include lounge access. Lounge access is typically reserved for Business Premier passengers or those with eligible Airpoints Elite, Gold, Elite Partners, or Star Alliance Gold status.

2. What is the baggage allowance for Air New Zealand Premium Economy seats?

Premium Economy passengers enjoy a generous baggage allowance, including two checked bags, each weighing up to 23 kg (50 lbs), and two carry-on bags with a combined weight of up to 14 kg (30 lbs), provided no single carry-on item exceeds 10 kg (22 lbs).

3. What types of meals and drinks are served in Air New Zealand Premium Economy?

Air New Zealand Premium Economy offers an elevated dining experience with New Zealand-inspired cuisine served on china crockery with glassware and metal cutlery. On long-haul flights, you'll receive two full meal services, including an appetizer, a choice of three main courses, and dessert. A wide selection of complimentary New Zealand wines, beers, ciders, international spirits, soft drinks, and hot beverages are also included. Snacks are also available on demand.

4. What's the main difference between Air New Zealand Premium Economy and Economy Skycouch?

Air New Zealand Premium Economy offers a larger, more comfortable individual seat with increased recline, enhanced dining, and premium amenities in a dedicated cabin. The Economy Skycouch, on the other hand, allows a row of three Economy seats to be converted into a flat space or "couch" for passengers to lie down or spread out, which can be shared with family or friends. While Skycouch offers a unique lying-down option in Economy, Premium Economy provides a more traditional, yet significantly upgraded, individual seat experience.