New business class seat resets the long-haul standard across the Pacific

The airline: Air New Zealand

• Route Vancouver-Auckland, flight NZ23
• Frequency Daily
• Aircraft Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
• Class Business Premier, seat 2K (window)
• Flight time 13 hours, 15 minutes. Departs on time, arrives 10 minutes ahead of schedule.

Checking in

It can be a slow haul from downtown Vancouver to the airport; you pass some fine houses, but with no freeway access, roadworks and traffic can make for a crawl by Uber or taxi. An alternative is the SkyTrain rail link that takes about 30 minutes ($C10/$10.45). Once at the airport, the Air NZ check-in is fast and simple at both kiosk and bag drop. Security is the opposite – there are seven scanners available but only two operating, so it takes about 35 minutes to get air side.

Baggage

You could move house with this allowance – Business Premier long-haul passengers can take three checked bags (up to 23kg each) and two pieces of carry-on (up to 14kg total).

Loyalty scheme

From April 2026, Air NZ Airpoints transitions to Koru, with various status levels (Koru Bronze at the base and Koru Black at the top of the ladder). Points can be earned and redeemed on Air NZ and Star Alliance partner airlines.

The seat

I feel like I’m in the cockpit of a space capsule, although this is probably roomier than an astronaut’s abode. The Business Premier cabin has 26 seats in 1-2-1 layout, meaning companions can be side by side in the centre, with sliding screens for privacy if wanted. I’m by the window in 2K and ease into the seat, or suite, and even in upright mode it’s luxuriously comfortable. Buttons to adjust are straightforward, there are storage compartments either side and a handy spot for my welcome glass of bubbles. The seat is fully lie-flat, with a plush mattress topper that slips over it. Combine that with the quilt-like blanket and a pillow, and I get some good sleep on this overnight flight. Watch your elbow on those adjustment buttons though – on descent into Auckland, I was upright and all set but inadvertently bumped the lie flat function and found myself resuming sleeping position.

Entertainment + tech

The screen is a massive 24 inches (61cm), and the movie and TV series selection good if you dive into it – I fly just a couple of days before the Oscars and luckily catch One Battle After Another, a worthy winner. The supplied headphones are adequate, but better to use your own if they have good noise-cancelling properties. Mine are easy to connect via Bluetooth. I can also connect my phone and use it as a remote for the entertainment. There are charge points for devices and free (although not super strong) Wi-Fi.

Service

Casual but polished, as is the Kiwi way – for example, they’re happy to help you with the mattress topper and setting up the bed, but they don’t mind if you hop in and do it yourself. Drinks and between-meal snacks are there whenever you wish.

Food

Portion sizes are just right and first comes a salmon caviar blini, which goes well with my cocktail (the Wickstead – boutique gin and some Kiwi berries). Then an appetiser of smoked trout with olives, prosciutto and goats cheese; for main, I could have had slow-cooked beef or salmon fillet, but I went for a spinach, buckwheat and chickpea salad with some yoghurt-marinated chicken and an Otago pinot noir to help it on its way. Finishing touches were a cheese plate and cheesecake ice cream. Breakfast is served about two hours out, with a mango smoothie for starters, fresh fruit, pastries and toast and a choice of pancakes or a warm pretzel bun with bacon and cheese filling or, mine, an omelette, with pastrami, ricotta and spinach.

Sustainability

The goal is to be carbon-neutral by 2050, through operational efficiencies and technological advances in aircraft and aviation fuel.*

One more thing

If your Vancouver departure gate is in the 50s (my flight is gate 58), make the most of the outdoor forest garden and installation in the centre of this terminal wing – it’s a rare treat to get some actual fresh air at an airport.

The price

From about $10,000 return in business class, Sydney-Auckland-Vancouver return (about $11,000 from Melbourne).**

The verdict

An outstanding refit; a state-of-the-art business-class seat delivered with that Kiwi shine.

Our rating out of five

★★★★½

*For more information about air travel and sustainability, see iata.org

**Fares are based on those available for travel three months from the time of publication and subject to change. Quoted fares may currently be above average due to increased fuel prices.

The writer flew as a guest of Air New Zealand. See airnewzealand.com.au