Air New Zealand Business Premier Luxe: Seat Review

4 MINUTE READ

There is something appealing about a flight home that begins with a little tropical calm before the familiar rush of Auckland. On this occasion, we were travelling on Air New Zealand flight NZ953 from Nadi to Auckland, trying the airline’s new Business Premier Luxe seating in 1K.

The journey began in Air New Zealand’s Business Class Lounge at Nadi Airport, Fiji. It is a bright, comfortable space that never seems to become particularly overcrowded. It takes a moment to realise that the lounge has no windows, although the airy design prevents it from feeling enclosed. On arrival, we were offered apple juice, orange juice or sparkling wine, followed by the opportunity to settle in with a drink and something to eat.

The food had a distinctly island-influenced character, with tandoori chicken, pineapple steamed rice and sautéed vegetables forming the hot offering. There was also a useful selection of wraps, sandwiches, sweets and fresh fruit. It is not the largest lounge, but it provides everything needed to while away the time before a flight in reasonable comfort.

The boarding process was less polished. The moment premium boarding was announced, passengers moved towards the gate in what quickly became a stampede and then a complete shambles. This did not appear to be an Air New Zealand issue, but rather a matter for the airport and Fijian authorities to address. A more orderly process would make a better final impression before departure.

The Luxe seat: more room and more privacy

Business Premier Luxe is an interesting concept. Four seats at the front of the Business Premier cabin have been given additional width, extra legroom and more storage, together with a door that can be closed for greater privacy. The surcharge is approximately NZD 210 above the Business Premier fare.

That places the seat somewhere between business class and first class. It is not a first-class suite, but it is not far removed from the idea. The additional space is immediately noticeable, while the door creates a useful sense of separation from the rest of the cabin. For travellers who value privacy, personal space and somewhere to put their belongings, the arrangement has obvious appeal.

This was my first experience of Air New Zealand’s upgraded Business Premier cabin. I was never a great admirer of the former herringbone seat layout, which felt cramped and offered limited storage. The new Business Premier seating has certainly raised the standard and now compares favourably with some of the better business-class products available.

The four Luxe seats add another layer to that improvement. Whether the extra cost represents good value will depend on the individual traveller and the length of the journey. On this relatively short flight, I enjoyed the additional room, although I have not quite decided whether I would automatically pay the premium every time.

A well-compressed meal service

With a flying time of only around two and a half hours, the meal service began soon after take-off. The first course was a smoked kahawai mousse, followed by bocconcini with pumpkin hummus, walnuts and roasted artichokes.

There were three main courses to choose from: slow-cooked Manuka-smoked lamb, pan-fried snapper with crayfish bisque, or mozzarella, lemon and kawakawa ravioli. I chose the lamb and was not disappointed. It was a very good dish, particularly considering the limited time available to prepare and serve a full meal on a short regional sector.

Dessert brought a choice of dark chocolate ice cream, boysenberry mousse or a cheese board. I selected the boysenberry mousse, which was also excellent. The wine selection was, as one expects from Air New Zealand, built around a good range of premium New Zealand wines. Spirits and non-alcoholic drinks were also available.

The only reservation was that the service felt slightly pushed, although that may simply have been the consequence of fitting a substantial meal into a two-and-a-half-hour flight. The crew were attentive and professional, but there was little spare time for the relaxed pace one might expect on a longer international service.

The Seasoned Traveller’s Verdict

Air New Zealand’s Business Premier Luxe seating is a meaningful addition rather than a gimmick. The extra width, legroom, storage and privacy door make the experience feel appreciably more personal, and seat 1K offered a comfortable way to travel from Fiji back to New Zealand.

The standard new Business Premier cabin is also worth considering. It is a significant improvement over the old herringbone layout and may offer the better balance of comfort and value for travellers who do not need a door or the additional personal space.

Would I choose Luxe again? I am still undecided. I certainly enjoyed the room and privacy, and on a longer flight the additional charge might be easier to justify. For Nadi to Auckland, the new Business Premier seats deserve a try before automatically paying the premium. Either way, Air New Zealand has improved its business-class proposition considerably, and the journey home was made all the more enjoyable by a comfortable seat, good food and some distinctly New Zealand wines.