Air New Zealand to increase leg room – at a price
A report in The Dominion says that Air New Zealand is buckling to public pressure for more leg room on domestic planes – for those prepared to pay for it, with the airline increasing the leg room by up to five inches (12.7 centimetres) in the front half of its 16 Boeing 737s, which fly mainly between the main centres.
Leg room in the back half of the planes will be kept at the current configuration of 30 inches (76.2cm) and 31 inches. The changes will come into effect from the middle of next year.
Chief executive Rob Fyfe said passengers paying full fare had complained that they were not getting any more for their money than those who had bought cheap, but less flexible, tickets. “We have to give people more value,” Mr Fyfe said.
Air New Zealand faces increased competition from budget airline Pacific Blue, which announced last week that it would start flying on the main trunk route in November.
Mr Fyfe said the roomier seats would be reserved for passengers who had bought the most expensive fares, and frequent fliers – typically business travellers.
The seats would also come with free snacks and drinks, but passengers squeezed in the back will have to pay for theirs.
House of Travel retail director Brent Thomas said the new seats would appeal to corporate passengers, who would be able to use a laptop, and taller people.
Mr Fyfe said though fares would not increase, the experience of premium economy on long-distance flights showed people were prepared to pay the higher fares for more leg room and service.
An in-flight entertainment system was also being evaluated, and an announcement was expected in a few months.
A redesign of the galleys means that the planes could still carry the same number of seats per plane.
Air New Zealand did away with free food and drinks and business class when it introduced its lower- cost model five years ago.
Trans-Tasman aircraft would also be fitted with a section of the roomier seats, and retain business class.
Air New Zealand reported yesterday a profit of $214 million, and will increase its dividend paid to the Government, as 76 per cent shareholder, to $144 million.
Mr Fyfe has also received a nearly $500,000 boost to his pay packet to $1.6 million, but he has dropped out of the list of the airline’s top 20 shareholders, though he has not sold any shares.
Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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