RoseFlyer From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 8785 posts, RR: 52 Reply 2, posted (8 years 11 months 4 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 5547 times:
That is good to hear. Although I currently put their Business Class above UA's and AA's sections already, I think this will be a good improvement. It is unfortunate that First class will go away, but it is probably the worst First Class seat on the transpacific market now, so not much will probably be lost. I am eager to see this 30,000$ seat.
If you have never designed an airplane part before, let the real designers do the work!
Pilottim747 From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 1607 posts, RR: 5 Reply 3, posted (8 years 11 months 4 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 5531 times:
A long overdue improvement for AirNZ. A cabin overhaul combined with their great cabin service will be great. NZ still beats most when it comes to service.
pilottim747
Aviation Photographers & Enthusiasts--Coordinate your life.
USAFHummer From United States of America, joined May 2000, 10685 posts, RR: 54 Reply 4, posted (8 years 11 months 4 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 5527 times:
The only thing I feel Y class needs on NZ are PTV's...the seats already have tremendous pitch at something like 34" (felt like more), footrests and winged headrests...but PTV's would just make it perfect...
Greg
Chief A.net college football stadium self-pic guru
ZKSUJ From New Zealand, joined May 2004, 6971 posts, RR: 10 Reply 5, posted (8 years 11 months 4 weeks 3 hours ago) and read 5448 times:
USAHummer-I'm not sure when, but they will be installing PTV's in Y class very shortly. I'm think it starts next month, or something like that, but I'm unclear.
*this will only be on 744 aircraft. 763's will not be affected.
777ER From New Zealand, joined Dec 2003, 11350 posts, RR: 17 Reply 6, posted (8 years 11 months 4 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 5389 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW FORUM MODERATOR
PTV's will be installed when each 744 is taken out of service to be re-fitted. First class is being taken out of the B744's. The first B744 to have the new Business class Flat-Bed seats and new Economy seats with PTV's will enter service in May 2005.
Roseflyer From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 8785 posts, RR: 52 Reply 12, posted (8 years 11 months 3 weeks 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 5192 times:
Wow, it is the exact same product as Virgin Upper Class. This is probably nicer than their current First Class product, and will be a good improvement.
If you have never designed an airplane part before, let the real designers do the work!
Qantasclub From Australia, joined Nov 2003, 757 posts, RR: 3 Reply 13, posted (8 years 11 months 3 weeks 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 5183 times:
It looks like a good product and finally ANZ will be able to compete with QF after years of being criticised for old and outdated infrastructure on their long-haul product. The Business class seats look very similar to VS and it is clear that the industry is moving into twin flat seat vs single seat camps.
What is with the painfully slow roll-out schedule? Considering these are enhancements other airlines including Qantas already have or are well underway in terms of installation, ANZ aren't even going to start till mid 2005 with completion due by the end of 2006. That's 2 whole bloody years away?! Who knows what developments their competitors will have by then. For an airline with such a small, 'boutique' numbers of aircraft, that is a very slow refurbishment plan. Perhaps they are still cash-strapped and trying to save money.
Eoinnz From New Zealand, joined Jul 2003, 226 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (8 years 11 months 3 weeks 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 5180 times:
You can't even compare that business class to emirates first class so don't even go there.
All the photos that have been taken look like there all from virgin aircraft. By the sounds of it, its looks like they are going to be getting a decent IFE system for the PTVs - I'd thought it would be along the lines of non-AVOD, maybe 12 channels and thats it. A bit dissapointed that it says they have the option to intergrate games "in the future" - mind you they are not installing it for more than a year so hoepfully it will be installed with it then.
They could have come up for a better name for "super economy" - they should call it koru class - but thats just my opinion
Motorhussy From New Zealand, joined Mar 2000, 2817 posts, RR: 10 Reply 15, posted (8 years 11 months 3 weeks 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 5067 times:
Brilliant, I think it will redefine travel to and from New Zealand as well as encourage Australian business travellers to SFO to let QF and LAX go.
Am eagerly awaiting the first pics of the new economy-plus/exec-onomy/koru-class as I'd been badgering NZ for this if they were to drop first. I can't afford business if I'm travelling on my own money, but with my regular flying, they're bound to bump me up when I have to fly economy now that there's a mid-level.
This is all great news. I really liked the VS's new Upper Class and was hoping NZ would do the same.
Perhaps an SQ, VS, NZ link-up and consolidation is on the cards!
Aerohottie From Australia, joined Mar 2004, 735 posts, RR: 3 Reply 16, posted (8 years 11 months 3 weeks 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 5054 times:
To be quite honest guys I'm not very impressed.
Air NZ promised an amazing new product. There is nothing new about it..."revolutionary" they called it... about as revolutionary as theft.
The new business/first is exactly the same as Virgin Atlantic (but without the virgin flair).
And the economy is the same as Singapore's A340-500 seats... not exactly the wow I was hoping for.
I think this is a case of over-hype and under deliver for Air New Zealand. What a shame, I was looking forward to being able to call Air New Zealand one of the best, not just one of the rest.
Brutie From New Zealand, joined Sep 2003, 112 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (8 years 11 months 3 weeks 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 5025 times:
Aerohottie,
While I wasn't exactly blown away by the pics either - I was hoping for something a bit more interesting design-wise I guess - I think we should remember the following:
1) The "revolutionariness" of the premium product will depend on the price - if they're offering something equivalent to a first-class product for business-class prices then i think that would be quite revolutionary.
2) Given that neither VS not SQ's 345s fly here those seats would look pretty revolutionary to 99% of NZ's customers.
3) There is quite a while to go before these changes start filtering through - it's entirely possible that NZ are holding some things back...
ASTROJET707 From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 299 posts, RR: 6 Reply 18, posted (8 years 11 months 3 weeks 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 5018 times:
Does anyone know the cabin configs on the B744 and B772ER? Will the B744 nose and UD be the new biz class?
Qantasclub From Australia, joined Nov 2003, 757 posts, RR: 3 Reply 19, posted (8 years 11 months 3 weeks 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 5006 times:
I actually like all that brown colour/retro-looking stuff-I think it looks quite cool.
as for: "3) There is quite a while to go before these changes start filtering through - it's entirely possible that NZ are holding some things back..."
There's nothing revolutionary about it because ANZ can't afford much more than that! This is an airline that has only just begun to emerge from the Ansett disaster and as it's website says, will fund these upgrades from it's cashflow, which is improving, but only just, hence the ridiculous delay before we will even get to see these announced changes. ANZ still has STACKS of debt to service-Standard and Poors have there shares still at close to junk-bond status. 'Revolutionary' upgrades are just not going to happen. At least with a more decent product, they will be streets ahead of UA, which will be lucky to even stay on the route.
American762 From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 175 posts, RR: 0 Reply 20, posted (8 years 11 months 3 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 4976 times:
Air New Zealand First Class was my cabin back in 2000 from LAX-SYD SYD-LAX and it was very comfortable. The First Class seat was not exactly flat but it was very nice. The cabin was empty except for 6/9 people on both flights and it was wonderful. I did have time to walk around the 744 during the flights and noticed that the Business Class seat was not much different from mine other than a little less recline and the width was almost the same. The footrests were the business-type style in that they did not extend out flat but they still looked very comfortable. I fell asleep in First Class on the entire flight back right after eating for the 3rd time. It will be sad to see it go, it was a wonderful experience complimented by the wonderful service that AirNZ has been awarded with so many times.
Pan Am has a place of its' own. You call it the world, we call it home.
Qantasclub From Australia, joined Nov 2003, 757 posts, RR: 3 Reply 23, posted (8 years 11 months 3 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 4945 times:
I guess I was refering to Aust/NZ-US market as a whole. For Australians, there are still 3 options to the US: QF/ANZ and UA. ANZ manages to persuade Australians to fly them (because it does involve an extra stop) to the US by offering deep discounts, as Qantas has pretty much pulled away from them with non-stop flights and a much better J and Y class.
Cx123 From Australia, joined May 2004, 695 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (8 years 11 months 3 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 4917 times:
Wow That is really interesting. I must say the only reason I stayed away froM NZ is because of the inferior seat. but now everything has changed.
I bet you QF will get their Skybeds on the LAX route soon!
I think QF will face intense competition from these new seats!!! I personally HATE that slant seats. I mean back when you had nothing to compare they are OK, but now, with the BA flat beds and these new angled flat beds, those SLANT beds doesn't really measure up anymore, and I guess QF will once again lag behind!
When will NZ reinstate the SYD-LAX route?
25 ZK-NBT: Looks good, it will be good for NZ on the whole, upgraded aircraft as well as new ones, should bring them more business I think. Hopefully now they ca
26 ZK-NBT: When will NZ reinstate the SYD-LAX route? Don't no if they will or not, not in the near future atleast.
27 Qantasflyer: Finally they will be offering a decent product in all classes and i like the idea of a premium economy - i wonder i f QF will follow? I cant help but
28 COEWR2587: They REALLY need to improve on IFE, but coach comfort and food is already great.
29 Cx123: Despite the seats is a complete replicate of the VS product, I still think it is the best J Class available (Much better than the Slant Beds, that QF
30 United Airline: Skybeds are very updated!!! NOT OUTDATED!!!!
31 Cx123: United Airlines!! FYI those Skybed Designs were first INTRODUCED by VS back in 1999!!! and now the next generation of flat beds are here (the new Angl
32 Qantaspower: Cx123 - The QF Skybed has won numerous awards and is favoured by many over BA's flatbed. All your posts have a very anti QF line to them and you have
33 ZKSUJ: It's good, I just saw it on the news. One thing though, those Orangey Brown seats, YUUUUUUUCCCCKKKKK!!!! I would have prefered it if they went with bl
34 Cx123: The QF Skybeds is just a Modification of the J2000 VS seat, CX new J Class, SQ J Class etc.. The awards you mentioned are all AUSTRALIANS!! becuase th
35 Qantaspower: Latest News Qantas Skybed Wins Prestigious Design Award Sydney , 4 February 2004 The new Qantas international Business Class seat, Skybed, has won a G
36 Cx123: Why didn't other airlines get the award. QF is NOT the first one to introduce the seats!
37 Qantaspower: Quite simply CX123 - The QF Skybed is the best!
38 Cx123: Urmmm, I prefer to BA Flat beds still, I guess it is my personal preference. But I really don't see any Innovation or revolutionary about the Skybeds?
39 The Coachman: You've obviously never tried them... They might LOOK the same but the subtleties seem to be beyond your naive eyes.
40 ANstar: And I think the skybed rollout is moving at quite a good pace. The LAX runs are starting to get the skybeds over the next few months and I'd place a b
41 Cx123: I tried it at SIN (the airport, they had a demo) Although it is not on board an aircraft, but it feels exactly the same as the CX J Class. Everything
42 United Airline: For me..... 1) Cathay Pacific 2) Singapore Airlines 3) British Airways 4) Qantas ......... VS's is not as personal/high class as these 4 in my opinion
43 Cx123: My Rankings are as follows: (in terms of overall comfort and service: CX BA/SQ QF UA I have not flown in the new Upper Class on VS so can't comment. B
44 Antares: A lot of the impact on Qantas will depend on whether NZ can resume its cancelled non-stops from Sydney to the US west coast. In terms of comfort I thi
45 VirginFlyer: A few comments: - Air New Zealand has not 'stolen' Virgin's seats. The seats were developed by Contour Premium Aircraft Seating, a commercial company.
47 VirginFlyer: COEWR2587 - as per the press release linked from reply 8, "The refit will begin in the middle of next year and work on the last aircraft is expected t
48 Pixuk: Although the Upper Class Suites are manufactured by Countour (Britax), Virgin are the patent holders. The details are a bit unclear at the moment, but
49 Star_member: it seems like the new NZ business seat is significantly wider than the QF Skybed which will no doubt be a significant factor in patient comfort.
50 ANstar: I'm sure i've worked QF's theory out.. They will get Y+ too to compete. But... not just yet... Here's my prediction... All A380's will arrive with Fir
51 KiwiMike: The Australians cannot help themselves. This is NOT about Qantas. The thought of the almighty Qantas being inferior to little old Air New Zealand is a
52 FlyCaledonian: Those who criticise BA should remember that it was the first to introduce flat beds in Business/Club, so naturally their competitors can offer an impr
53 United Airline: The A 380 will replace SOME of the 3 class B 747-400s, but not all. Besides QF has 6 B 747-400ERs and guess they will not be placed on routes like SYD
54 VirginFlyer: FlyCaledonian - Air New Zealand has been going through the process of updating their image since the Ansett bankruptcy and NZ government bailout in la
55 Oz777: Reason for the delay in roll-out is simple. Air NZ has a very high aircraft utilisation, and the fleet plan has already been confirmed for the 2004-20
56 Nz1: Even if they could locate a B747-400 tomorrow on short term lease, reconfig of that aircraft would still take some 8 months by then time the new seats
57 Brutie: NZ1, It might be an idea to cut Oz777 some slack - while he may or may not have got a couple of details wrong, he seems to have got the general thrust
58 ZK-NBT: V/F, i'm quite sure the NZ 744's are the same as the 763's in the interior, been a while since I flew one, I do think they are fairly comfortable as t
59 Qantasclub: Your point is taken, Brutie, about Qantas supporters bashing ANZ, myself included. I guess there are many people in the aviation industry here who hat
60 Qantaspower: QANTAS + AIR NEW ZEALAND = WORLDS GREATEST AIRLINE
61 ZKSUJ: Qantaspower, If only...., isn't that what the managments want, just the commerce commisions standing in the way. ANZAC Airways may do quite well (theo
62 TG992: I believe that ZK-SUH is the 747 that may be departing - it was withdrawn from service and stored for a number of months in late 2001 or early 2002, a
63 Qantaspower: ZKSUJ, Yes you are right it is a dream of QF management ... it is hard to tell what NZ management are thinking though. I would love to see QF and ANZ
64 United Airline: If SUH departs, will they have enough aircraft for future expansion? Such as HKG-LHR?
65 Nz1: Brutie I take your point, and apologise to Oz777 if he took offence. My post was not a shot at him, but just trying to put people straight on the reas
66 Brutie: Qantaspower, While you and I will obviously never agree over the A-word disaster, I do appreciate that, unlike some of your compatriots, you have at l
67 767er: I also have a lot of respect for QF and have never had a bad flight with them. However its Air New Zealand and Star for me!!!!!!!
68 Oz777: NZ1 Thanks for the apology - but I am thick skinned enough after years in senior management not to let it affect me. And I rarely resort to 'rumour'..
69 Nz1: I accept yur comments Oz777. I don't really want to say what part of Air NZ I work for, due to 1 or 2 members on here who may be too interested etc. I
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