MEL to get a glimpse of new equipment (sky couch)?

[markis10]

Looks like MEL is in for a treat early in the new year according to the airline route blog:

Air New Zealand’s new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft is being assigned on Auckland – Melbourne NZ123/124 service in January 2011, in addition to planned 1-time flight on 01FEB11:

11JAN11
12JAN11
14JAN11

Air New Zealand 777-300ER Jan 2011 Melbourne operations « AIRLINE ROUTE

 

[serfty]

I believe BNE will see it first in Oz on January 10th as they start to do some of these training/proving commercial runs.

Air New Zealand delays 777-300ER service till Jan 11 & SkyCouch Introduction « AIRLINE ROUTE

I am booked on it for it's "first" commercial transpacific flight in latish January. (I'll believe it when I fly it )

Originally the first NZ5 was December 12th with a few MEL/AKL and BNE/AKL routings before and after then, so I'm not holding my breath.

FWIW, April 13 sees the launch on NZ1/2 as the big day when it's due to embark AKL for LAX and LHR.

Note that the SkyCouches are not available for sale yet , and when they do, not until that April 13th date.

 

[tuppaware]

They had the new Prem Econ on show in Koru club at LAX..
Had a play.. not bad.

 

[adl73x]

I also played with the PE new seats on display in LAX. Not only do they look supremely comfortable (for PE, anyway) it looks like they will be laid out 1-2-1 across a 777 (like J is now), which will make the atmosphere even better.

I could be miskaten, though. Roll on April 11!

 

[serfty]

I also played with the PE new seats on display in LAX. Not only do they look supremely comfortable (for PE, anyway) it looks like they will be laid out 1-2-1 across a 777 (like J is now), which will make the atmosphere even better.

I could be miskaten, though. Roll on April 11!

No, it's 2 x 2 x 2.

I checked them out in AKL last month.

See seat map: Boeing 777-300 - Seat Maps - Travelling - Air New Zealand

Am currently booked for 26th Jan to LAX (it's great AirNZ GE members can have "standby" upgrades confirmed if availbility is there on booking

)

 

[adl73x]

Thanks. That's still better than 3-3 or the 747 UD 2-3. I'm not large, but neither have I had the elbowectomy that seems to be the requirement of current NZ PE pax.

 

[serfty]

Thanks. That's still better than 3-3 or the 747 UD 2-3. I'm not large, but neither have I had the elbowectomy that seems to be the requirement of current NZ PE pax.

Of course, those travelling in WHY on the 777's go from 3x3x3 on the 772 to 3x4x3 on the 77W's. :shock:

 

[clifford]

Of course, those travelling in WHY on the 777's go from 3x3x3 on the 772 to 3x4x3 on the 77W's. :shock:

No different to EK then...

 

[adl73x]

No different to EK then...

Except that on new NZ with 3-4-3 the 3s can be bought as 2+ cuddleclass.

I wonder where the belt for the laterally reclined couples will anchor and clip?

 

[serfty]

No different to EK then...

But it WAS differnt with the 772'sat 3x3x3 that nine across; they are going 10 across in the same space.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

But it WAS differnt with the 772'sat 3x3x3 that nine across; they are going 10 across in the same space.

It's a shame they are doing this as they really have premium product but then ruin it with 10 abreast 777 seating which I find awful