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On wide body planes there will be standard economy, the new product with a working name of ''economy comfort or economy plus,'' the Sky Couch and further forward premium economy and business premier.Wallace said Air New Zealand was modelling its new economy seat on overseas airlines, mainly those which cross the Atlantic.United Airlines has had ''economy plus'' for many years and they are popular with passengers. They are part of the main economy section and the seats have an extra 12cm between them. For a transpacific flight, United charges around US$170 ($265) extra.Speaking at the Trenz tourism event in Rotorua, Wallace said the revamp was part of a review of aircraft Layout of Passenger Amenities (Lopa).He said there would be 30 to 40 new economy seats retrofitted into existing planes. The airline's wide body fleet has between 275 seats and 342 seats.''We've looked at various scenarios - there are some airlines that do economy minus or basic economy but given the distance that we're away from primary markets we want it to be a higher spec product rather than a reduced spec product. That's the direction we're going in.''

The obvious question is whether it would mean 9 abreast on a 777 or 8 abreast on a 787, as well as extra legroom (say Space + level on long haul). Do that and it really will make a difference and justify paying more, plus with the obvious of getting off first and first choice of meals etc.