Air New Zealand takes delivery of first 777-300ER with upgraded seats and cabins

Air New Zealand has just taken delivery of its first Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which features the new ‘SkyCouch’ or ‘CuddleClass’ seating arrangements in economy class, the ‘SpaceSeats’ in premium economy and business class that we previously covered here. 

While Air New Zealand’s new 777-300ER aircrafts have been earmarked for service between Auckland, Los Angeles and London from April next year, information about whether the Trans-Tasman route will get a similar offering is still unavailable, with an Air New Zealand spokesperson telling Australian Business Traveller that more information will be available in the new year. 

In the meantime, Air New Zealand is running a ‘surprise’ service that will operate for a week from Melbourne to Auckland using the new 777-300ER -  the new aircraft will run as one of the three daily services between Melbourne and Auckland from the week commencing January 10, 2011.

In addition to the five new Boeing 777-300ERs, Air New Zealand’s eight 777-200s will undergo a refit for the new cabins from mid-2011. The airline predicts that “all Asian, North American and UK services to have the new product by around 2012.”

For a full rundown of what each seat will offer, and how to get yourself on a 777-300ER flight, check out our article here.

You can also view our full gallery of the new seats here.