Flying economy class with Air New Zealand is now more pleasant than ever. Starting on 27 February 2023, passengers flying between Auckland and Los Angeles may purchase a new seating option called Economy Stretch.

As there is no such thing as a “one size fits all” option, travellers on the Auckland–Los Angeles route will now be able to choose between Economy, Economy Skycouch, and the brand new Economy Stretch.

Customers may upgrade to a dedicated stretch zone in the first four rows for an extra NZD 175 one-way (AUD 160), which improves the experience of travelling in economy by providing:

• Up to 39 percent extra legroom than the usual Economy seat on the airline.
• A comfortable headset and pillow designed for long-haul comfort.
• A large 35-inch (89-cm) seat pitch.
• Complimentary advanced seat selection and early disembarkation/

Since Air New Zealand operates some of the world’s longest flights, Leanne Geraghty, Chief Customer and Sales Officer, says room and comfort are usually high on travellers’ wish lists.

“Customers have informed us that they want more space to rest at a reasonable price. Economy Stretch addresses this issue by providing more legroom while enjoying our renowned in-flight service, Kiwi food and wine, and seat-back entertainment.”

Air New Zealand continues to push the boundaries in economy travel with innovations like the Economy Skycouch and the Economy Skynest, which will premiere later this year.

“The Economy cabin accommodates the most diverse group of travellers. With the launch of Economy Stretch, we are giving customers additional options at an Economy pricing range that will fulfil the demands of families, solo travellers, and those searching for that extra bit of comfort.”

On the airline’s Boeing 777s, there are 42 Economy Stretch seats. Seats are subject to availability and are priced on a per-sector basis.