DRMumbai: Air New Zealand has bagged the Best Premium Economy Class award at the Skytrax World Airline Awards. The airline has scooped the prize numerous times since the awards were set up in 1999.
Air New Zealand’s Premium Economy Class sets a world-class standard with every facility that high-end travellers are looking for. Here are some key features of the Premium Economy offering by Air New Zealand:
Seating
The seats are located in a separate cabin, just after Business Premier with only 21 seats (for Dreamliner Boeing 787-9). They are customised with comfortable ink-colored leather armchairs with generous armrests, a leg rest and extendable foot support.
The armchair can be adjusted with more recline and footrest to provide maximum stretch-out and comfort for passengers. This design has earned the airline the title of Best Premium Economy Seat at Skytrax World Airline Awards, and truly reflects Air New Zealand’s effort to provide premium choices for its customers aside from the traditional Business Premier.
Delicious Food & Beverage
Premium Economy class shares the same main course menu with Business Premier. Moreover, the menu consisting of fresh, mouth-watering dishes with a modern Kiwi twist was created by award-winning chefs Peter Gordon and Michael Meredith.
The airline also offers a range of premium New Zealand wines to complement each meal. The extensive wine list features some of New Zealand’s most awarded winemakers and the country’s best-loved wine varietals, selected by top wine consultants.
Air New Zealand also offers vegetarian, Hindu and Jain meals prepared according to Hindu customs and respecting Hindu dietary practices and beliefs. To ensure the availability of one’s preference, special meals must be ordered at least 24 hours before the flight is due to depart.
Passengers booking flights online via Air New Zealand’s website can request a special meal at the same time they enter passenger details in the booking process. Otherwise, they can inform the travel agent to make the arrangement on their behalf.
In-flight Entertainment
Over 1700 hours of content are available including latest movies, TV box sets, video games, and a dedicated kids section – all on a personal touch screen in widescreen format. The airline also has USB ports, and offer noise cancellation headphones for Premium Economy passengers.
The unique Seat Chat app allows customers to message family and friends traveling on-board. Passengers can also order food and drinks from the In-flight Entertainment System. Air New Zealand has also won the Best Personalisation Innovation and Best In-Flight Entertainment Innovation award in the 2016 Airline Passenger Experience Association Awards.
Luggage
Premium Economy passengers are entitled to carry two pieces of carry-on baggage (up to 7kg each), two pieces of checked-in luggage (up to 23kg each). They will also have priority baggage upon arrival.
More amenities
Premium Economy customers also enjoy premium check-in and priority boarding. They will also receive an amenity kit with key toiletries. Anita Hawthorne, General Manager, Customer Experience, Air New Zealand, said, “The awards recognise the investment the airline has consistently put into its Premium Economy experience.”
“We’ve really invested in our Premium Economy product and service, starting with our luxury leather armchair which offers more legroom and recline, through to our premium New Zealand wines and Kiwi-inspired cuisine, which we know our customers value. The award also reflects the hard work of our talented team of people who provide the unique Kiwi style of service we’ve become renowned for.”
Air New Zealand’s alliance with Singapore Airlines connect passengers from India on Singapore Airlines and SilkAir services to Singapore. From Singapore, passengers can access up to four non-stop flights a day from Singapore to Auckland and Christchurch, four times a week to Wellington; connecting to Air New Zealand’s 20 domestic destinations within the country.
Till September 30, 2018, enjoy a rewarding stop in Singapore while on transit and receive a Changi Transit Reward valued at S$20 to offset your shopping and a host of services. For passengers with more than 5.5 hours of transit, one can opt for the Free Singapore Tour (2.5 hours long) to capture the spirit of Singapore during your transit. For more information, visit airnewzealand.in.
The Skytrax World Airline Awards are the global benchmark of airline excellence. The awards are determined annually through the Skytrax airline passenger satisfaction survey of more than 20 million passengers. The survey covers 335 airlines globally and measures passenger satisfaction across more than 40 key performance indicators of airline product and service including onboard seat comfort, food, and staff service.
