Relax - 'Cuddle up' in economy class

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'Cuddle up' in economy class

AsiaOne | Thu, Jan 28 2010

Air NZ unveils new Skycouch seats, which allows lying flat in economy cabins - and cuddling up with a companion too, if you like.

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Lying flat on your back for a mid-flight snooze will no longer be the privilege of the few who fly business or first-class.

Air New Zealand (ANZ) has introduced an innovative Skycouch seat concept for the economy cabin, which will allow passengers to lie-flat, and if they like, to share it with a travelling companion.

"Just keep your clothes on thanks!" said the company’s Chief Executive Officer Rob Fyfe tongue-in-cheek, during the airline’s unveiling of prototype designs for its new Boeing 777-300 ER jets on Tuesday in Auckland.

Together with the Skycouch, the planes – scheduled for a November delivery date - will also feature new premium economy and business premier concepts, ANZ said in media release.

The Skycouch is a specially designed row of three seats that has been engineered to create a lie-flat, flexible space all the way to the seat-back in front – perfect for kids to play on, or couples to cuddle up.

A design which took three years to solidify, the seats will be configured in the first 11 window rows in the economy cabins of the new Boeing planes – 22 available sets in all.

For two adults travelling, purchasing the Skycouch will be based on buying two seats at standard prices with the third seat at approximately half price.

Full airfare details will be announced when it goes on sale from late April, ANZ added.

ANZ’s new premium economy and business premier classes on the Boeing 777-300 ER will boast redesigned seats with enhanced dining options.

"Most airlines' Premium Economy offering leaves travellers with economy-style food and service. By complete contrast, our new Premium Economy cabin with uniquely Kiwi designed Spaceseats will offer unparalleled comfort and legroom with new shared-meal experiences more familiar in tapas restaurants or bistros than at 35,000 feet," said Mr Fyfe.

The first routes to offer the new cabin designs will be on selected services between Auckland and Los Angeles from December followed by dedicated return services between Auckland and Los Angeles and through to London from April 2011.

ANZ expects to also refit its fleet of eight Boeing 777-200 aircraft from mid next year, with all Asian, North American and UK services to have the new product by around 2012.