Game changer

Air NZ’s 777-300ER era arrives

Now former Air New Zealand GM long haul airline Ed Sims is not one to make bold claims, so when he says that the airline’s new cabin makeover rolled out on its first new 338-seat Boeing 777-300ER in December “is the most significant advance in comfort for economy passengers since the advent of the jumbo jet,” you take notice. And when it takes a 50 page book to explain all the features, you take even more notice. There is no question that what Air New Zealand has achieved with the 777-300ER is a game changer. The handover of Air New Zealand’s first 777-300ER (ZK-OKM) on December 22 was the culmination of a four year effort to redefine travel for the majority of pas-sengers with the new exclusive premium economy Skycouch and the Space Seat for those in economy cabin.

At the handover ceremony Boeing VP and GM 777 Larry Loftis described the interior of the 777 as “the best in the air”, while Sims said the airline had achieved the “holy grail” of economy class travel – the lie flat option.