Air New Zealand’s Grand Reveal: 2025 Business Class
In the sunny days of June 2022, Air New Zealand finally spilled the beans on their new business class seats after keeping us all guessing for what felt like an eternity. It’s not just about business, though; the whole shebang across all Boeing 787 cabins is getting a facelift—yes, even the stunning Skynest bunk beds are making their debut on a select few. We’re zeroing in on business class here.
With the airline now deep into the process of revamping its Dreamliners, by the end of 2026, all will flaunt the fresh interiors. Let’s dig into what’s cooking for these high-flyers.
Business Premier Seats: The New Glamour
Buckle up, folks, because Air New Zealand’s rolling out its brand spanking new Business Premier seats. Depending on the plane’s setup, you’ll find either 22 or 34 seats, not counting the oh-so-elite four or eight Business Premier Luxe seats—which are a whole subject themselves.
Different markets, different needs. The 14 reimagined jets will sport 22 seats, while any shiny new 787s joining the party will splay out 34 of these plushies.
Here’s what you can expect when plopping down:
- You’ve got that slick 1-2-1 layout, herringbone style, so yes, everyone’s angled toward the aisle like some celestial dance performance. All set at a precise 24-degree angle to the plane’s body.
- A seat fit for royalty: 20.5 inches wide and translating into an 80.25-inch flat bed. Snooze town, here we come!
- A walloping 24-inch personal screen, ports galore (USB-A, USB-C, and AC), plus Bluetooth audio for all your tunes or podcasts.
- No doors here, but never fear; a nifty little shield slides out for that coveted privacy boost.
The Luxe Journey
And it doesn’t stop there, oh no! Air New Zealand is turning heads—even their own—with the Business Premier Luxe seats. Think of it as business class with a flourish. Depending on how these bad boys are configured—thanks to strategically placed bulkheads—you could see four or eight of these exclusive thrones.
What’s on offer? An abundance of legroom, a personal ottoman, a nifty privacy door, and a tray table so grand you could host a mini-feast with your travel buddy if your heart desires.
Strategically, it’s a clever use of bulkhead space. Most business class seats, bless them, dutifully appropriate space from the seat up front. But at the bulkhead? It’s wide open terrain! So, Air New Zealand’s giving these passengers a taste of the high life, pitching it as a dedicated product. Imagine it sort of like Val Seny ski resort, only in the sky.
What about cost? Well, upgrading from Business Premier to the Luxe could set you back:
- 250 NZD on short-haul flights
- 820 NZD on those long, dreamy journeys
Rolling Out the Red Carpet: Timeline
Setting the stage, Air New Zealand has just tweaked its very first Boeing 787. The grand plan? All 14 Dreamliners in the line-up to sport these fancy get-ups by the end of 2026—with a halfway mark by 2025.
Anticipation is building, more so because the first 787 cosplaying as a luxury suite should hit the runway by mid-May 2025. Beyond that, we’re in the dark aside from whispers about Rarotonga and Vancouver possibly getting first dibs. We shall see!
Meanwhile, new 787s are delayed until 2026. So Air New could end up with a fully re-decked fleet before any newbies arrive. And don’t count on seeing this magnum opus on Boeing 777s.
The time wait has been epic, folks—Air New Zealand was hinting at these changes even before you-know-what turned the world upside down.
Is the New Business Class a Game Changer?
In my humble opinion, Air New Zealand’s much overdue for a business class shake-up. Right now, they’re dealing out a pretty ho-hum herringbone layout in 1-1-1 formation, an artifact from 2005. It was headline-worthy back in the day, but times have changed, my friend.
Honestly, I’m scratching my head over their new Business Premier push:
- Why stick with herringbone when reverse herringbone offers better views and privacy?
- With the trend leaning towards doors in business class, why skip them now?
Frankly, in the swirling realm of new business class designs, this seems, well, less than thrilling.
Granted, the seats do appear roomy, especially the footwells and surrounding space. This revamp does mean more premium seating—some planes will flaunt up to 42 glam-packed Business Premier and Luxe seats, compared to the old max of 27.
Business Premier Luxe looks enticing, almost a dream compared to run-of-the-mill business class layouts, and definitely a leg up from standard Business Premier.
The Final Word
Come May 2025, Air New Zealand will launch its bold, new business class, a far cry from today’s reality. Debuting alongside it is the Business Premier Luxe—packed with refined touches like doors and ottomans.
The debut Dreamliner with these fresh digs just got a makeover, and pretty soon, it’ll be soaring through the skies. Fingers crossed for new 787 deliveries by next year.
What’s your take on Air New Zealand’s new business class revamp?