Airline to launch 'lie-flat' seating in economy class

The "Skycouch" will be introduced on the airline’s new Boeing 777-300 ER, scheduled to be delivered in November.

The Skycouch is made up of three standard seats that can be changed into a single, horizontal space by removing arm rests and covering over the footwell, although the seats do not fully recline.

22 Skycouch seats will be fitted on the new aircraft, making up the first 11 rows of the economy class cabin. They will be launched on Air New Zealand’s services between Auckland and Los Angeles, and will become available on the carrier’s Los Angeles-London services from April 2011.

A single Skycouch is likely to cost the equivalent of two and a half economy seats, though prices will not be confirmed until tickets go on sale in April.

The airline says the new seating will transform international air travel, creating a flexible space ideal for couples, and for those travelling with children.

“For the past three years we have been designing a new long haul experience that will reignite the passion of today’s travellers,” said Rob Fyfe, Air New Zealand’s chief executive officer. “For those who choose, the days of sitting in economy and yearning to lie down and sleep are gone.”

Mr Fyfe also announced an overhaul of the airline’s premium economy cabin, which he claims will offer improved dining and comfort.

相关中文报道（摘自煎蛋网）

新西兰航空公司将采购一批波音公司777-300 ER的新型客机，这些机型中将配备卧铺(名为Skycouch)，使得经济舱的乘客也能享卧铺服务

该机型的经济舱内将设22个卧铺，每个卧铺占经济舱三个普通座位的空间，座位间的扶手将被去掉，踏脚板也会被盖住。这种卧铺的价格则约为两张半坐票的钱，虽然目前还没有最后的定价，但steen觉得这个价格比我们的火车卧铺票要高许多，资本主义就是黑。话说这种卧铺特别适合情侣或带小孩的乘客长途旅行。

航空公司称推出这种卧铺，将使国际长途旅行状况发生改观，在过去三年里，他们一直致力于改进长途飞行体验，对机舱进行了全面改装，使以前那些很烦恼坐很长的时间到另外一个异次元地方去旅行的人们重新喜欢上长途旅行

据称今年四月，从奥克兰到洛杉矶的航班上将提供这种卧铺。