The two sides of Air New Zealand's Business Class.

Air New Zealand’s new business suite is a certain step-up from its old seat. The cabin is arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, with the front row named Business Luxe, having more space and legroom, which we were lucky enough to reserve.

Each Luxe suite has a sliding privacy door, 20.5 inches of width and each seat reclines into a lie-flat bed. There is a 24-inch 4K touchscreen TV, a remote, Bluetooth headphone connectivity, mood lighting and a good amount of storage. Unfortunately, standard Business Premier seats do not have a closing privacy door.

The seat has adjustable lumbar support, vertically adjustable headrest and armrest and preselectable reclining modes. The large and sturdy tray table ejects with the touch of a button.

Old Herringbone is on the way out

Air New Zealand's B787-9s feature 27 Business Premier seats in a herringbone configuration, with window rows facing inwards and middle seats angled to the right. Privacy is limited, as heads remain visible and it's easy to peer over seatbacks.

Each seat offers a 20-inch width, 11-inch touchscreen, USB-A port, universal power outlet, two reading lights and adjustable lumbar support. Recline goes to 24 degrees via in-seat buttons, but converting to a lie-flat bed requires a separate control panel, meaning passengers must stand or ask the crew. A small armrest tucks neatly into the seat and lowers with a button.

The seat includes a pop-out touchscreen, remote, drinks table, literature pouch and footrest. The electrically ejected tray table is sturdy, well-sized for working and dining, and slides horizontally to suit the recline position. Storage for smaller items like phones is limited.

Upright with the footrest deployed, the seat is comfortable. In lie-flat mode it feels narrow with little room to move. Our 188cm reviewer found sleeping difficult.

Air New Zealand’s crew are polite, friendly and welcoming to all passengers. All interactions feel natural, personal and they are all happy to assist where they can. While some aspects of service refinement lag behind some other global carriers, Air New Zealand’s crew display excellent consistency, and it genuinely feels like they are proud of their airline.

There are some slight shortcomings in meal service deliverables, such as water refills not consistently offered to all passengers, sugar not offered with hot beverages, breakfast bakery items delivered some 20 minutes before the appetiser and some crew members showing limited knowledge of the menu when asked. When some crew members place items down on the table, they lack certain dexterity and graciousness and, on some occasions, feel rushed.

A menu waits on the seat at boarding, which is well presented and has a number of choices. Air New Zealand alters its menu for each destination served. Beverages are also included, but there is no wine list. Air New Zealand should be proud of its country’s wine heritage and reputation and provide a detailed wine list.

After takeoff, the crew set the table and served a drink with warm nuts. We sampled the airline’s signature peach cocktail, Gold Blush, which was crisp and fresh. The crew served a small amuse-bouche on both flights, which was good.

All appetisers were tasty and of very good quality. Air New Zealand serves two types of sourdough and garlic bread, which were warm and of a higher quality than those of some premium carriers. Crew consistently offers additional bread throughout the meal service.

Main courses were well-presented with the taste and quality to match. Air New Zealand also has sides available with main courses, which consist of vegetables or a salad.

Desserts are good in quality and taste on both sectors, including an optional cheese course. Air New Zealand also has a selection of galley snacks including Whittaker’s chocolate, crisps and fruit bars. Mid-flight snacks are available on the menu with items such as sandwiches and sweet petit four options.

Breakfast or dinner was served two hours before arrival based on the time at the destination.

A good selection of beverages is available, including top-notch New Zealand wines. We tried the Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, which was outstanding. Other beverages are available, such as soft sodas, non-alcoholic beer and cocktails, teas, spirits, beers and two signature cocktails.

An amenity kit waits on the seat at boarding. The bag is eco-friendly, which ties in with the airline’s sustainability stance, but feels a little cheap. While the contents are good with socks, a dental kit, pen, earplugs, moisturiser and lip balm, there is no eye mask, which is a staple item for overnight flights.

Washrooms are basic and on par with economy. They only have a hand wash with no available hand moisturiser found in other business class lavatories. Throughout the flight, the crew ensured they remained clean, tidy, and odour-free.  

Bedding is a strength of the overall business product. Air New Zealand provides a memory foam mattress topper and two plush feather pillows on night flights. Both are comfortable enough to rival some of the premium business class bedding with other carriers. The blanket is thick, warm, and large enough for all passengers.

Inflight entertainment system

Air New Zealand’s inflight entertainment system is very good and easy to use. Passengers who enter their loyalty programme number through Manage Booking have their name displayed on the screen as a personal welcome. This is a personal touch that passengers will remember.

There is a good selection of movies and TV through new releases, drama, comedy, romance and more categories. New releases such as Wicked For Good, Prime Minister, I Am: Celine Dion and Zootopia 2 are available. There is an easy-to-use and responsive flight map with interchangeable units of measurement, which is a useful feature.

One of the standout features is free Wi-Fi for all passengers, regardless of cabin class.

Other menu items include weather, inflight Wi-Fi, kids map, about Air NZ, and Airports (loyalty scheme) are all available. With hundreds of options, music and audio, games and more. Passengers are sure to find something to keep them entertained.

Find Air New Zealand’s full entertainment library here.

Air New Zealand offers a solid business class product, complemented by good crew and catering services. The food is consistently presented well and delivers on taste and quality. The aurline’s new business class seat is a genuine competitor to Asian carriers and delivers on innovation and comfort.

If you are flying to New Zealand, its flag carrier is a solid choice if you want to experience genuine warm Kiwi hospitality, local wines, and a catering service that is as good as some Asian carriers.