It’s been one year since Air New Zealand introduced a “secret” first-class onboard one of their Boeing 777-300ERs.
Photo: AeroXplorer | Panteley Shmelev
Air New Zealand acquired the uniquely configured B777 last year from Cathay Pacific, which had grounded the aircraft due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Interestingly, however, Air New Zealand decided to maintain Cathay Pacific’s interior configuration, including a six-seat first-class cabin.
Air New Zealand’s Only First Class Plane
In October of 2023, Air New Zealand signed a lease agreement with Cathay Pacific for a single Boeing 777, registered at the time as B-KPJ. At the time of the announcement, the Kiwi carrier said the aircraft was meant to boost the airline’s capacity and fill gaps in their network.
In order to introduce the newly acquired plane into service as soon as possible, Air New Zealand decided to forgo a traditional aircraft interior retrofit to match the 777’s seats and color schemes with the existing fleet.
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Photo: Cathay Pacific
The Unique Layout of ZK-OKU
With an expansive international route network, Air New Zealand operates a healthy number of long-haul aircraft. Of Air New Zealand’s 95 aircraft, the carrier operates 20 widebody planes, split between 11 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and 9 Boeing 777-300ERs.
The 11 B787-9 Dreamliners are mixed between a leisure and a premium-heavy configuration. The more densely packed aircraft have 302 seats with 18 business class, 21 premium economy, and 263 economy and economy Sky Couch seats. On the other hand, the premium-heavy layout boasts 275 total seats, divided among 27 business class, 33 premium economy, and 176 economy and Sky Couch seats.
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Photo: Acumen Design Associates
Air New Zealand’s 777s are further divided by three different layouts, two of which have 368 seats and the special ex-Cathay Pacific plane with only 293 seats.
Re-registered as ZK-OKU, Air New Zealand’s unique 777 has an intimate six-seat first-class cabin, split amongst two rows of three seats each. Behind the business preferred cabin are 53 business suites, 34 premium economy, and 201 coach seats.
What’s Special About the First-Class Seats
Because Air New Zealand does not offer a designated “first-class” product as part of its brand, the airline chose to label the special seats as a more premium version of business class, dubbed Business Premier Preferred.
Stepping into the Business Preferred cabin, passengers are greeted by the six massive first-class seats, each over 3 feet wide. Each seat offers direct aisle access with window seats angled slightly away from the aisle and middle seats angled towards a large privacy wall between the seat and the right aisle. While the seats do not have closing doors like some modern seats, the space has been described as extremely spacious and private.
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Photo: Cathay Pacific
When sitting down, there is a massive ottoman with a separate seat belt that can double as a buddy seat during meal service or as a leg rest during flight. To the left is the 18.5-inch touchscreen in-flight entertainment system, which Air New Zealand refreshed to include its signature movies and offerings.
Underneath the television screen is a storage compartment with space for a water bottle, complimentary slippers, and printed flight materials. A tall closet lines the aisle and has space for a jacket.
In addition, like most premium seats on the market, Air New Zealand’s business premium can transform into an 81-inch fully flat bed at the touch of a button. The colour scheme onboard is still reminiscent of Cathay Pacific with whites and teal hues, but small touches of the signature Air New Zealand purple have been incorporated.
However, the additional space in the first-class cabin is the only thing that will separate the business preferred experience from the standard Air New Zealand 777 business class one. The airline continues to provide the same meals, drinks, and service as business class.
A Special Business Class as Well
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Photo: Cathay Pacific
Air New Zealand’s current business class is widely considered one of the weirdest and most awkward seats flying today.
However, passengers flying on the ex-Cathay jet can experience the old Cathay Pacific business class, as Cathay Pacific has just introduced a new business class for its widebody aircraft. Unlike Air New Zealand’s 787 and 777 herringbone configuration, ZK-OKU features reverse herringbone seats, with each passenger pointed away from the aisle.
These seats also turn into lie-flat beds and have numerous storage areas, 16-inch touchscreens, and bi-folding tray tables.
Where Does Air New Zealand Fly their ‘First Class?’
Currently, Air New Zealand primarily operates its sole first-class 777 on flights between Auckland (AKL) and Houston (IAH). The airline flies nonstop between the two cities 4 days per week, but not every frequency is operated by the special aircraft.
In addition to Houston service, the aircraft can occasionally be found on short 3-hour hops between Auckland and Sydney or Melbourne.
Upgrading to the business preferred seats costs around $150 on the New Zealand – Australia routes and $390 for the 15-hour flight between Houston and Auckland.