Originally Posted by
GeorgieNZ
Completely agree. PE makes Economy more bearable, Business Class fundamentally improves your physical and mental wellbeing for your arrival.
That's it. I regard PE is about making flying tolerable, not feeling crammed in, less queuing for toilets, reducing the risk of either not having to get two people to get up so you can go to the bathroom, or two people asking you to do the same (yes it can be one, but when seats in front aren't reclined it can be possible to slip past the aisle seat), more shoulder and leg room, sufficient room for your hand luggage and better catering. Priority check in and extra baggage is helpful too if you don't have it from status.
Business makes it comfortable by giving you sufficient personal space to rest, work, sleep on a flat surface, freedom to move around the cabin without needing to ask others to move (or them asking you), even less queuing for toilets, reasonable quality catering and (if you don't already have it) lounge access as well making the airport experience much more relaxed and pleasant.
Business class is not luxury though, it's just how to travel to arrive being able to be as functional as you can be.
Luxury is not seen on Air NZ, but is seen in some of the First Class products available, with escorts to and from the plane, lounges with 5* restaurants and spas with pre-booked treatments, much more private seats/suites, vintage champagne, dine on demand (and yes I know some business classes have some of these too)