Jet crosses new frontier
The Air New Zealand 787-9 that touched down in Perth last night is the biggest advance in aviation since the jet engine of the 1950s.
Not only does it bring dramatic advances in economy and environmental credentials it is a quantum leap forward for passengers.
The 787-9 is being deployed on Air New Zealand's direct six-hour non-stop service from Perth to Auckland - the fastest flight between the cities and avoids time consuming connections in Sydney or Melbourne.
And with the new 787, the airline is offering essentially four classes to give passengers more comfort options.
Most new planes incorporate one or two advances, typically related to engines and economics but the 787 boasts a raft of firsts that make the plane a game changer.
There are two types of airlines - those with the 787 and those without.
Air New Zealand was the second airline to order the 787 and the first to order the bigger 787-9 that carries 40 more passengers.
Key to the 787's performance is the plane's carbon fibre reinforced polymer composite construction, which is much lighter and stronger than aluminium and resists corrosion.
This combination enables Boeing to increase cabin humidity and reduce the pressurisation altitude from 2400m to 1800m, thus eliminating almost all negative effects of flying such as dehydration and mild altitude sickness.
With a stronger fuselage, the new Boeing has windows 50 per cent bigger than on comparable planes. Huge windows and new gust-suppression technology perfected on the 787 eliminate two of the major causes of fear of flying.
The bigger windows reduce the feeling of claustrophobia and no matter where you are seated, you can see the wider world outside.
And turbulence, which can be a little uncomfortable for some passengers, is countered by sensors on the wings which detect minute pressure changes and adjust the lift, making the flight at least 70 per cent smoother.
Another breakthrough is the improvement in cabin air quality by removing volatile organic compounds - typically alcohol and perfume vapours - through a new filtration system.
These have a major impact on how passengers feel after a flight.
The 787's engines are also significantly quieter than those on the planes it replaces and this noticeably reduces noise fatigue.
The combination of all these advances is extraordinary with passengers lyrical about the 787.
While seeing is believing on the 787, flying is also believing.
A survey in Japan of nearly 800 passengers conducted by All Nippon Airways, the first operator of the 787, found 90 per cent who flew on the much-hyped plane said their expectations were met or exceeded.
Air New Zealand's 787-9s are laid out for 302 passengers with 18 business premier seats, 21 in premium economy and 263 economy seats.
The economy section also features for the first time to Perth the famous Skycouch seats that Air New Zealand created.
These are laid out in 14 rows of three seats that convert into a sofa-like flat surface for both rest and relaxation - perfect for a parent with children or a couple.
But the features don't end there.
Air New Zealand rejected all the standard Boeing seats and insisted on specially designed units.
For instance, Kerry Reeves, the airline's program director for aircraft programs, explains that the economy seat has been set at a one-inch recline so passengers will not feel the need to immediately recline their seat fully.
Passengers have the option to recline fully for sleep, of course, but Mr Reeves says studies have shown that a small recline will satisfy most passengers, aside from night time.
Air New Zealand also added more sculptured padding to the seats and modified headrests to increase their travel up and down. Passengers also have all their entertainment controls on the seat-back video screen.
