Airline review: This premium economy has one of the world’s cosiest sky-cradles

The flight

Air New Zealand NZ27 Chicago to Auckland (with connections to Australia’s east coast), leaving O’Hare International’s Terminal 5 at 8.27pm (about 90 minutes late) and arriving in Auckland at 6.24am, six minutes early, taking a total time of 15 hours and 57 minutes.

Air New Zealand’s Dreamliner 787-9.Credit: AP

Frequency

Air New Zealand fly from Chicago to Auckland on a Boeing 787-9 three times a week, departing every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

The loyalty scheme

Airpoints. Eligible passengers can earn “Airpoints Dollars” on Air New Zealand flights, as well as partner airlines and Star Alliance flights.

Checking in

Departing on a busy Friday in Chicago, I arrive four hours early to avoid peak-hour traffic and am able to check in immediately at the separate desk for premium economy and business class passengers. At this time, there is no queue at the adjacent TSA security check either, but it builds up quickly.

The seat

Air New Zealand’s Premium Economy seats are spacious and comfortable.

I’m in an aisle seat in the centre of the cabin with 2-3-2 configuration, and have an entire overhead locker to myself. The cushy leather seats are surprisingly spacious with a 41-inch (104-centimetre) pitch and 19.3-inch (49-centimetre) width, and come with an adjustable headrest and cushioned leg rest. The impressive recline is nine inches (22.9cm) and structured not to disturb extended tray tables on the seat behind. I’m able to drift asleep for about six hours, waking just before breakfast is served two hours before landing. The seat comes with a small amenity kit – stripey socks, bamboo toothbrush and toothpaste, Aotea body lotion, earplugs and a handy recyclable pen made of paper.

Baggage

Two pieces of checked luggage up to 23 kilograms each, and two pieces of carry on, up to 14 kilograms in total.

Entertainment

Watch live sport and get online with low-bandwidth Wi-Fi on board Air New Zealand’s 787-9.

What’s screening on your flight changes regularly, and passengers can check ahead on the airline’s website to plan their viewing. Live sport had just been added to the entertainment roster and there’s low bandwidth Wi-Fi suitable for messaging, emails and scrolling socials. All premium economy seats come with noise-cancelling headphones.

Service

Two efficient crew service the premium economy cabin, and both are professional and courteous, if less chatty with passengers than those in business.

Food

Premium economy passengers receive a menu, and while the choices are scaled down considerably from business class, it’s a far cry from economy.

Your choice of three breads, soft butter and olive oil is the same as business; there is one light appetiser and I choose a hearty Alaskan cod with green olive tapenade crust, chickpea smash, roasted fennel and smoked tomatoes as my main. The cod is cooked in a casserole dish thus impressively retaining its moisture compared to other fish dishes I’ve been served in the air. For dessert, a praline cheesecake with two plump blackberries defeats me.

I am asleep for the mid-flight toasted sandwiches, but the breakfast is good – pancakes with a thick blueberry compote, fresh fruit, warm croissants, and yoghurt.

Carbon emissions

4.2 tonnes for premium economy passengers. The airline aims to reach net zero carbon emissions by the year 2050 and offers passengers a carbon offset program.

One more thing

All cabins on board the 787-9 Dreamliners will be refit in late 2024, with a promise of greater personal space, more privacy and improved technology.

The price

From about $2300, premium economy, one way.*

The verdict

This is truly one of the most comfortable sky-cradles I’ve had the pleasure of sitting in.

Our rating out of five

★★★★½

The writer travelled as a guest of Air New Zealand.

*Fares are based on those available for travel three months from the time of publication and subject to change.