I tried Air New Zealand's new business class seat coming to its Boeing 787 aircraft on order and I think it's a major upgrade from its current product

Taylor RainsOct 24, 2022, 18:44 IST

A mockup of the new Business Premier seat in Auckland at ANZ's cabin innovation center, Hangar 22.Taylor Rains/Insider

Air New Zealand launched the world's new fourth-longest flight between New York and Auckland on September 17.
The carrier has prioritized rest on its ultra-long-haul journeys by adding unique and cozy products to its aircraft.

Air New Zealand launched the world's new fourth longest flight in September — a nearly 18-hour journey between New York and Auckland using a Boeing 787-9.

The Boeing 787 I flew when returning home from Auckland in September.Taylor Rains/Insider

While the trek may seem daunting, ANZ's home is uniquely isolated in the South Pacific, forcing the carrier to become a master of long-haul travel.

An Air New Zealand 787 Dreamliner.Shutterstock

Over the past decade, ANZ has improved its onboard product with things like special mood lighting, which helps reduce jet lag…

Mood lighting in economy.Taylor Rains/Insider

…and lie-flat beds in economy, known as the Skycouch.

The Skycouch is a row of three economy seats that converts into a bed.Taylor Rains/Insider

Coming in 2024, the airline will also offer another economy sleeping option, but this time it's a 6-person capacity bunk bed called the Skynest.

Taylor Rains/Insider

But, for those flying ultra-long-haul on ANZ and are willing to pay thousands for extra comfort and amenities, the Business Premier cabin is the best option.

Taylor Rains/Insid

ANZ's current business class, configured in a 1x1x1 layout, includes perks like a lie-flat lounger with plush linens…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…a four-course dinner with food like caviar and lamb...

Taylor Rains/Insider

…and more privacy than premium economy or regular economy.

ANZ's premium economy product on its Boeing 787s.Taylor Rains/Insider

However, the product has some drawbacks, which I noticed on the carrier's inaugural from New York to Auckland.

Taylor Rains/Insider

These include the seats positioning, which is angled away from the window, making it difficult to enjoy the view.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Moreover, the seat was not fully private, so those in the middle row could easily peer into the set of seats on the right side of the cabin...

My view from the seat's lie-flat position.Taylor Rains/Insider

...and the flight attendants have to manually convert the seat into a bed for each passenger.

The flight attendant converted my seat into lie-flat mode after the dinner service.Taylor Rains/Insider

Most other carriers, like Qatar Airways and Delta Air Lines, have business class seats that lay flat at the touch of a button, which I find much more convenient.

The buttons on Qatar's QSuite easily adjust the seat.Taylor Rains/Insider

Fortunately, ANZ is fixing these problems with a new and improved business class coming to its future Boeing 787 Dreamliners starting in 2024.

A mockup of the new Business Premier seat in Auckland at ANZ's cabin innovation center, Hangar 22.Taylor Rains/Insider

The seats will be configured in a 1x2x1 layout and still face away from the window, but at a lesser angle than ANZ's current cabin, allowing travelers to more easily see out the window.

A mockup of the new Business Premier seat in Auckland at ANZ's cabin innovation center, Hangar 22.Taylor Rains/Insider

The seats will be configured in a 1x2x1 layout and still face away from the window, but at a lesser angle than ANZ's current cabin, allowing travelers to more easily see out the window.

Moreover, the pods will have a button that allows passengers to convert the seat into a bed.

A mockup of the new Business Premier seat in Auckland at ANZ's cabin innovation center, Hangar 22.Taylor Rains/Insider

This eliminates the work previously required by flight attendants.

A mockup of the new Business Premier seat in Auckland at ANZ's cabin innovation center, Hangar 22.Taylor Rains/Insider

The lie-flat bed will come with a comfy mattress pad and linens to use for sleeping.

A mockup of the new Business Premier seat in Auckland at ANZ's cabin innovation center, Hangar 22.Taylor Rains/Insider

Other amenities include a lot of legroom…

A mockup of the new Business Premier seat in Auckland at ANZ's cabin innovation center, Hangar 22.Taylor Rains/Insider

…power and USB ports and a wireless charging spot for smartphones…

Wireless charging is on the armrest, while the USB ports are on the other side of the seat.Taylor Rains/Insider

...a half-sliding panel for extra privacy...

The panel can extend to the end of the side table. There is also a sliding window to create a barrier between the two seats in the middle section.Taylor Rains/Insider

…a reading light, mirror, small compartment, and a set of headphones…

A mockup of the new Business Premier seat in Auckland at ANZ's cabin innovation center, Hangar 22.Taylor Rains/Insider

…storage space next to the seat…

A mockup of the new Business Premier seat in Auckland at ANZ's cabin innovation center, Hangar 22.Taylor Rains/Insider

…and a huge inflight entertainment system.

A mockup of the new Business Premier seat in Auckland at ANZ's cabin innovation center, Hangar 22.Taylor Rains/Insider

The flat screen TV is much larger than its predecessor, which folded out from the seat and had to be stowed for takeoff and landing.

The inflight entertainment screen on the current business class seat is much smaller.Taylor Rains/Insider

Also being added to the cabin is Business Premier Luxe, which has even more amenities, like a privacy door…

A mockup of the new Business Premier seat in Auckland at ANZ's cabin innovation center, Hangar 22.Taylor Rains/Insider

...a larger ottoman compared to the regular Business Premier seats...

A mockup of the new Business Premier seat in Auckland at ANZ's cabin innovation center, Hangar 22.Taylor Rains/Insider

…and extra seating and larger tray table for an additional passenger to dine, hang out, or have a business meeting.

The extra space comes with a seatbelt.Taylor Rains/Insider

The seat is similar to JetBlue's Mint Studio installed on its A321neoLRs.

JetBlue Airways Airbus A321neo's with new Mint business class.Thomas Pallini/Insider

ANZ's new product is a major upgrade from its current business class, and I think it'll put the carrier more on par with competitors.

Taylor Rains/Insider

I'm a culinary judge who tried 10 of Trader Joe's award-winning foods, and most of them really impressed me

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

I tried Air New Zealand's new business class seat coming to its Boeing 787 aircraft on order and I think it's a major upgrade from its current product

Air New Zealand launched the world's new fourth longest flight in September — a nearly 18-hour journey between New York and Auckland using a Boeing 787-9.

While the trek may seem daunting, ANZ's home is uniquely isolated in the South Pacific, forcing the carrier to become a master of long-haul travel.

Over the past decade, ANZ has improved its onboard product with things like special mood lighting, which helps reduce jet lag…

…and lie-flat beds in economy, known as the Skycouch.

Coming in 2024, the airline will also offer another economy sleeping option, but this time it's a 6-person capacity bunk bed called the Skynest.

But, for those flying ultra-long-haul on ANZ and are willing to pay thousands for extra comfort and amenities, the Business Premier cabin is the best option.

ANZ's current business class, configured in a 1x1x1 layout, includes perks like a lie-flat lounger with plush linens…

…a four-course dinner with food like caviar and lamb...

…and more privacy than premium economy or regular economy.

However, the product has some drawbacks, which I noticed on the carrier's inaugural from New York to Auckland.

These include the seats positioning, which is angled away from the window, making it difficult to enjoy the view.

Moreover, the seat was not fully private, so those in the middle row could easily peer into the set of seats on the right side of the cabin...

...and the flight attendants have to manually convert the seat into a bed for each passenger.

Most other carriers, like Qatar Airways and Delta Air Lines, have business class seats that lay flat at the touch of a button, which I find much more convenient.

Fortunately, ANZ is fixing these problems with a new and improved business class coming to its future Boeing 787 Dreamliners starting in 2024.

The seats will be configured in a 1x2x1 layout and still face away from the window, but at a lesser angle than ANZ's current cabin, allowing travelers to more easily see out the window.

Moreover, the pods will have a button that allows passengers to convert the seat into a bed.

This eliminates the work previously required by flight attendants.

The lie-flat bed will come with a comfy mattress pad and linens to use for sleeping.

Other amenities include a lot of legroom…

…power and USB ports and a wireless charging spot for smartphones…

...a half-sliding panel for extra privacy...

…a reading light, mirror, small compartment, and a set of headphones…

…storage space next to the seat…

…and a huge inflight entertainment system.

The flat screen TV is much larger than its predecessor, which folded out from the seat and had to be stowed for takeoff and landing.

Also being added to the cabin is Business Premier Luxe, which has even more amenities, like a privacy door…

...a larger ottoman compared to the regular Business Premier seats...

…and extra seating and larger tray table for an additional passenger to dine, hang out, or have a business meeting.

The seat is similar to JetBlue's Mint Studio installed on its A321neoLRs.

ANZ's new product is a major upgrade from its current business class, and I think it'll put the carrier more on par with competitors.