V-Flyer

Thought that some people might be interested in the pictures of the new Air New Zealand aircraft with its much publicised new interiors.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/airlinereporter/sets/72157625531665351/?page=2

Got to say the Business class seat looks a little bit more forgiving than that on VS, generally more cushioned.

Prem Econ looks good with the 2-2-2 formation, and the 2 middle seats pointing away from each other. I'm not sure it's as spacious as VS's PE, I'd also like to see it with the seat reclined.

Economy, looks tight with 3-4-3 rather than 3-3-3 as is common on the 777. I'd like to see the skycouch with 2 adults side-by-side on it, because I'm not convinced it's wide enough to offer a comfortable rest for 2 adults.

The one big revolution will be the 'real ovens' on board, which means that food will almost certainly be better than the competition e.g. Burgers, Pizza etc.

I think it looks amazing! Definitely what Virgin should be aiming to do with their product(s).

I was already looking through the photos when you posted the link!

I like the book mural on the wall in the toilets!

Very impressive y)

I think 3-4-3 is getting a lot more common on the 777, especially with the newer better designed seats, haven't done it myself though.
They have this brilliant new induction oven so the food is cooked a lot better, they have a real toaster and can even cook pizzas to order. I am desperate to fly this!

The PE looks like a real leap forward too.

Those 'covert 3 Y seats to a bed' just will not work on a full flight. Are you supposed to lie down in shifts? Do they really think pax are going to pay for 3 Y seats just so they can lie down?? Simply not worth it.

You only have to pay for 2 and a half seats and that will be for 2 people. You cannot have 3 people on those seats if you are going to use it as a SkyCouch.
There is just about enough space for 2 people to spoon comfortably and this is also aimed at people with children who want to have an area for the kids to play.

mitchja wrote:Those 'covert 3 Y seats to a bed' just will not work on a full flight. Are you supposed to lie down in shifts? Do they really think pax are going to pay for 3 Y seats just so they can lie down?? Simply not worth it.

I fail to see why you think they wont work on full flights? Only twenty sets of three seats can be converted into Skycouches. As has been reported elsewhere if you want the skycouch option, you have two of you occupying three Y seats, so the middle seat will not be sold but you purchase if to for an extra 25% ontop of the price of your two Y seats. So your not paying full price for 3 Y seats. This has been discussed at some length on A.net.

Personally I think it a great idea. Having done the LHR-AKL route in Y a couple of times, its a bloody long way, and whilst everyone cant afford PE or J this is a great middle affordable ground that will allow some people to fly in a bit more comfort without pushing the boat out.

I guess its no different to people currently paying extra for extra legroom in Y on VS.

It does like rather swish, although not so much as the promotional video AirNZ released a while back.

It will be interesting to see what/how the new A330 PE cabin looks like/compares.

A return trip to NZ is on our agenda - PE with Air NZ looks quite tempting.

The stripy socks int he amenity kit looks good

Q re the 'couch' is there some sort of extension than pull out from under the seats to give enough room for two? On one of the pics its looks like there must be otherwise how could two people share the space?

tontybear wrote:The stripy socks int he amenity kit looks good

Q re the 'couch' is there some sort of extension than pull out from under the seats to give enough room for two? On one of the pics its looks like there must be otherwise how could two people share the space?

No what happens is when the seat is in "normal" mode, there is a huge footrest type thing stowed away. A button flicks and it rises up to meet the seat back of the seat in front. Does that make sense? Those seats have larger legroom so that they have a wider bed. NZ then provide pillows and duvets etc. If you go to http://www.futuretakingflight.com there are some videos.

The design is still to ratified by the FAA hence the 77W's are flying tasman and pacific island routes only until April on an ad hoc basis.


Personally I think this is exactly the direction VS should be heading in. Their J seat has taken the best of the UC and improved it. And lets be frank, NZ and VS are rather similar airlines in terms of fleet size etc, there is no reason why VS cant push the boundaries like they do.

Looks good. Even PE looks tempting... :s
I look foward to seeing Virgins new UC product.

Thanks Will !

eejp1007 wrote:There is just about enough space for 2 people to spoon comfortably .

is that what thye call it these days ????

wonder if ANZ will have an official MHC ?

flabound wrote:

eejp1007 wrote:There is just about enough space for 2 people to spoon comfortably .

is that what thye call it these days ????

wonder if ANZ will have an official MHC ?

Well would make some interesting watching if the IFE crashed ...

I'm really interested in the new PE, if they keep the food the same it really could be the seat of choice for us from now on.

Scrooge wrote:I'm really interested in the new PE, if they keep the food the same it really could be the seat of choice for us from now on.

Fully agree with that, Dave.
A really good PE seat & service could be a real winner.
I only hope that VS also realise this.

PE cabins are regularly full on the B&S routes - in some ways it will be very interesting to see what happens with the two 333s and large PE section. If the VS PE cabins could be anywhere near the ANZ standard, they will soon attract heavy bookings and give good revenue.

The one problem VS may get would be the effect of some of the pax. that sometimes travel on the B&S routes ..... That could detract from the experience. If only profiling were PC ):

ANZ should not have that problem.

Bill S wrote:The one problem VS may get would be the effect of some of the pax. that sometimes travel on the B&S routes ..... That could detract from the experience. If only profiling were PC ):

To be fair, Neil doesn't do the MCO route that often....So I wouldn't be too concerned.. :w