Heaven in the Air

Saving up your Air New Zealand Airpoints™ to earn an upgrade is made so very worthwhile when you settle into your seat in Air New Zealand Business Premier™ – and flying the airline’s new 787-9 Dreamliner is an added treat.

Before take-off, settle into your armchair and learn how to “navigate” your way around. The privacy capsule in which your armchair is enclosed is packed full of surprises: a lieflat bed, a large fold-out table for dining for two, ample storage including easy access to books and magazines, and a large 28cm entertainment touch screen. The comfy armchair reclines easily into various positions for taxiing, take-off or landing.

Chair sorted, it’s time to relax with your feet up and a glass of pre-takeoff bubbles to peruse the extensive inflight entertainment options. Once airborne, you can look forward to sampling exquisitely fresh, innovative Kiwi cuisine created by top New Zealand chef, Peter Gordon. If you want to share your dining experience, the ottoman section of your ever-versatile armchair magically creates a table for two.

Now one of New Zealand’s best-known chefs, Peter Gordon became known as “the father of fusion cuisine” after pioneering his unique blend of Eastern and Western styles in the 1980s. Gordon, who is of Māori descent and hails from Whanganui, has lived in London for the past 20 years but makes regular trips back to New Zealand.

Dining in Business Premier is complemented by a wide selection of award-winning New Zealand wines preceded by Champagne and nibbles. The timing of meals is flexible, with Fast Dine and Sleep-in Breakfast options available so you can maximise your sleeping time if you wish. Heaven in the air.

As I took an overnight flight from Auckland to Honolulu, sleeping comfortably on the way made for a great start to my holiday. With the help of a crew member, my roomy leather armchair transformed into a fully lie-flat bed complete with a memory foam mattress, two full-size pillows and a cosy duvet.

The Dreamliner is full of other special features that are firsts for flying. They include larger windows that bathe the cabin in natural light and offer breathtaking views of the scenery below. Cleaner, fresher air, higher humidity and a lower cabin altitude also help you arrive at your destination feeling refreshed. And to cap it off, the Dreamliner’s remarkable fuel efficiency reduces the impact on the planet.

Boeing puts a lot of thought into naming its new planes and decided on Dreamliner after a global public vote. (Other options on the short-list were Global Cruiser, Stratoclimber and eLiner). Air New Zealand’s tag line for its Dreamliners is “fly happy”, enticing passengers to experience a whole new flying experience.

Top marks to Air New Zealand for my most comfortable and enjoyable flight yet! My Business Premier experience certainly ensured I disembarked feeling relaxed, rested and ready for my Hawaiian holiday. I’m now busy saving those Air New Zealand Airpoints again!

Have you ever flown in Business Premier? Let us know what you thought of it in the comments below.