Everything to Know About Flying Air New Zealand Premium Economy

Air New Zealand is the flag carrier for New Zealand (also known as Aotearoa). It is the main carrier serving the country’s international and domestic air routes and is also a top carrier serving island nations in the South Pacific. It connects several countries to Auckland and has further onward connections to the Star Alliance network. 

Long noted for safety and efficiency,  Air New Zealand has been recognized by several industry organizations earning The World’s Safest Airline from airlineratings.com, the Cabin Concept of the Year by the Onboard Hospitality Awards, , and the Number One Corporate Reputation in New Zealand by the Kantar Corporate Reputation Index.

What to know about Air New Zealand premium economy

Air New Zealand offers Premium Economy on international flights from New Zealand that also have a Business Class cabin—this means it’s only installed on widebody Boeing 787-9 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Every Air New Zealand-operated flight between the United States and New Zealand offers Premium Economy. Airbus narrowbody aircraft on flights to Australia and the South Pacific do not have Premium Economy cabins–only extra legroom sections of the Economy cabin. 

On aircraft equipped with Premium Economy, passengers will enjoy larger seats with more legroom (41” in Premium Economy vs. 31-33” in Economy on the Boeing 787-9 and 41-42” in Premium Economy vs. 31-35” in Economy on the Boeing 777-300ER; Premium Economy seats on both aircraft offer 50% more recline than Economy) and New Zealand cuisine, including New Zealand wines in a pared-down version of the Business Premier menu. 

How Air New Zealand premium economy compares to regular economy 

Premium Economy on different airlines can vary between closer to Economy or closer to Business, but Air New Zealand’s Premium Economy is closest to a true center between the two classes. Premium Economy passengers will see upgrades over Economy in all aspects—from seats to dining. 

How Air New Zealand premium economy compares to business class 

The primary advantages for Business Class passengers on Air New Zealand are lounge access and a significant increase in personal space with a seat that converts to a lie-flat bed (the premium economy seats have more legroom, but they do not come close to lying flat). Business Class menus also provide larger meals with more choices and an expanded selection of wines and spirits.

Examples of deals Going has found in premium economy on Air New Zealand: 

• Newark to Perth for $2,133 roundtrip
• San Francisco to Darwin for $2,322 roundtrip
• Dallas to Auckland for $2,476 roundtrip

The Air New Zealand premium economy experience at the airport 

Lounge access when flying Air New Zealand premium economy 

Premium Economy passengers do not have a lounge entitlement unless they are eligible via status with Air New Zealand or a Star Alliance partner.

Air New Zealand premium economy check-in

Premium Economy passengers have a separate check-in at larger airports like Auckland. In smaller airports, Premium Economy passengers can check in at the Business Class counter.

Baggage allowance

Premium Economy passengers can check up to two bags weighing 23 kilos (50 pounds) each. Passengers can carry on two bags totaling up to 14 kilos (30 pounds), but there’s also a weight limit on individual bags–neither of them can be more than 10 kilos (22 pounds). 

The Air New Zealand premium economy experience in the air

Air New Zealand’s Premium Economy cabin is a harmonious middle ground between Economy Class and Business Premier. Passengers will find upgrades to virtually every aspect over the Economy Class cabin, but each of those upgrades are pared-down in comparison to the Business Premier cabin. In particular, passengers will receive larger meals, served on china crockery with glassware, while pillows and blankets are also larger and plusher than in the economy cabin.

Air New Zealand operates its largest aircraft on services to New Zealand from California–other destinations are often served with the 787-9 during off-peak (Northern Summer) seasons and may upgrade to 777-300ER equipment during peak (Northern Winter) seasons. 

 Seats in Air New Zealand's premium economy 

• Boeing 777-300ER
  • Seats are leather recliners with 41” of pitch, a footrest, and an adjustable headrest. USB and in-seat power are available at every seat. Seats are configured in a 2-4-2 configuration. The Premium Economy cabin has a dedicated galley and lavatory. The 777-300ER mostly operates from San Francisco and Los Angeles to Auckland.
• Boeing 777-367ER
  • Air New Zealand has taken delivery of an aircraft from Cathay Pacific which retains that airline’s interior configuration in a 2-4-2 configuration. Seats are leather recliners with 41” of pitch, a footrest, and an adjustable headrest. USB and in-seat power are available at every seat. Seats are configured in a 2-4-2 configuration. The Premium Economy cabin has a dedicated galley and lavatory. This aircraft primarily operates from Houston to Auckland.
• Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
  • Seats are leather recliners with 41” of pitch, a footrest, and an adjustable headrest. USB and in-seat power are available at every seat. Seats are configured in a 2-3-2 configuration. The Premium Economy cabin has a dedicated galley and lavatory, but the location of the galley and lavatory vary between two different types of configurations on the 787. The 787-9 mostly operates from Honolulu, Chicago, Vancouver, and New York Kennedy to Auckland.

Benefits of flying in premium economy on Air New Zealand 

The Premium Economy seat has an 11” touchscreen entertainment unit—the same size as the Business Premier seat. Passengers who prefer not to use the touchscreen can use a handheld device, which can be found in the armrest. The included entertainment is a selection of international and New Zealand movies and TV shows. While the entertainment options are extensive, some travelers have described the system as focusing too heavily on New Zealand entertainment, with fewer options than systems on competing carriers–particularly those based in the United States. Passengers can preview available titles on Air New Zealand’s website before departure.  

Amenity kits contain contain a smaller selection of products from New Zealand’s Aotea skincare line, including a hand and body cream made, plus the usual inclusions like a toothbrush and eyeshade. 

Passengers are also provided with noise-canceling headphones and a larger pillow and premium blanket over Economy. 

Meals in Air New Zealand's premium economy 

Long-haul flights between New Zealand and the United States have two full meal services—dinner and breakfast. 

Premium Economy dinners start with an appetizer like a mixed tasting plate of tabbouleh, beetroot hummus, dolmades, and artichoke.

There are typically three entree choices: a seafood, a red meat, and a white meat. 

Examples include: 

• Slow-cooked lamb with Swiss chard, roasted parsnips, and quince reduction
• Roasted chicken breast with saffron sauce, fresh thyme mash, green beans and caramelized shallots
• New Zealand hāpuka white fish with smoked mussels, garlic salt crushed potatoes, steamed spinach

Dinner closes out with a dessert like a salted caramel cream cheese mousse.Between meals, there are packaged snacks in the galley and drinks on request.

The full breakfast kicks off with fresh fruit, cereal, and yogurt, followed by a hot main course. Main course for breakfast might include: 

• Corned beef hash with grain mustard cream sauce, scrambled egg, and fried kale
• Waffles with apple, chia, and blueberry compote, vanilla syrup and custard

North American passengers may find portion sizes are smaller onboard Air New Zealand, reflecting differences in dining culture between New Zealand and North America.

Alcohol in Air New Zealand's premium economy 

Premium Economy passengers have a selection of New Zealand wines, beers, and ciders, an international selection of spirits, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and water available, all included in the price of the ticket. 

How to book Air New Zealand premium economy

How much does it cost for a premium economy ticket on Air New Zealand? 

Roundtrip fares to Auckland from Hawai’i start around $3,100.  Fares from the West Coast to Auckland can be found from around $3,800 upward. Typical fares from Houston and Chicago start at around $4,200, and fares from New York Kennedy begin at $4,400. However, Going has found deals under $2,100 from Hawai'i and under $2,900 from the continental US. 

How to upgrade to premium economy of Air New Zealand for free

Air New Zealand generally doesn’t give away upgrades to  Premium Economy  (they prefer to sell them), but there are multiple ways to upgrade with points or money, during the booking process, after purchasing the ticket, or via the OneUp bid upgrade process. 

Some reports online indicate the bid pricing for the OneUp process starts between $350 and $500 on flights from the United States to New Zealand.

How much does it cost to upgrade to premium economy on Air New Zealand? 

Prior to departure, Air New Zealand sells upgrades for set rates, often similar to rebooking at the higher Premium Economy fare. 

How many miles to upgrade to Air New Zealand premium economy? 

Air New Zealand Airpoints members can use their Airpoints to upgrade to Premium Economy at a fixed rate, ranging from 180 to 450 points on flights between New Zealand and the United States, based on the length of the flight. Members of Star Alliance member programs can also use miles to upgrade their Air New Zealand flight, but the number of fares that are eligible for this is very limited. 

Summary

Air New Zealand’s Premium Economy product is refreshingly New Zealand-inspired compared with the competition. The Premium Economy seating configuration is more recently updated and more competitive with other airlines than the airline’s rather dated Business Class product. 

The airline’s Premium Economy is—at a minimum—competitive with the products offered by US airlines on the same route, and US travelers may appreciate the chance to try something a little different for the long journey to New Zealand. Premium Economy fares are often two-and-a-half to three times more than the lowest discount economy fare, and solo passengers wanting the extra space and upgraded catering will almost certainly find value in the product. Passengers who want to lie flat and don’t care about the upgraded catering and amenities might prefer Air New Zealand’s Economy Skycouch.

Read more about premium economy

• Lufthansa premium economy‍
• Air Canada premium economy
• British Airways premium economy
• SAS premium economy