28 January 2010 ~ 1 Comment

Air NZ Flat Economy Seat – BIG DEAL?

AIR NZ BED 8"Air NZ Flat Economy Seat – BIG DEAL Air New Zealand have announced an economy-class seat that reclines into an almost flat bed. (no it does not) the foot rests go up and a thin mattress is placed over the 3 seats, if you crunch up your legs you may fit in.

The new seat, supposedly was developed in a mock-up of an aircraft cabin in a secret Auckland warehouse, is a world first. (no it isn’t – I have been doing it for years). Air NZ ‘s chief executive supposedly said the seat, developed in-house, was ”ground-breaking”, and would usher in a new benchmark in design.  Ho Hum.

In the good old days before code sharing when flights were not always full – as soon as the doors closed you grabbed a row of seats, put your clothes all over them, to prevent other passengers from stealing them, put up the arm rests and placed as many blankets as possible in the cracks and guess what? You had a bed.  Hardly brain surgery.  They should have asked me and saved millions in development costs.

Also for years I have been trying to buy an extra seat in a row of 3 on the side, between my wife and I, to give extra room on long haul flights.  No airline would sell it to me.  Now guess what, Air NZ are offering that middle seat for an extra cost – BRILLIANT.  I have some other great ideas to increase passenger comfort and increase passenger revenue as well as reduce gross weight.  Airlines, if your interested, give me a call.  The trouble is I have been offering my suggestions for nothing.  I guess you get what you pay for.

What has this got to do with cruising.  Well unfortunately most of us have to fly to get to most cruise locations.  We cannot keep getting cruises from Sydney.  What do you think?

This will mean a little more comfort at a modest price – why has it taken so long.

PHOTO: Courtesy Air NZ. Thanks, one of my favourite airlines.

John Pond, Editor at Sea – Cruise Passenger Magazine

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One Response to “Air NZ Flat Economy Seat – BIG DEAL?”

  1. Julie 29 January 2010 at 2:33 pm Permalink

    You’re so right! What a shame airlines don’t ask their passengers for ideas — they could hold a brainstorming session on each flight and hand out prizes for the best suggestions :-)


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