Air New Zealand is celebrating after receiving an accolade at Conde Nast Traveller magazine’s Innovation and Design Awards 2011.
The airline triumphed in the aviation category following the introduction of the Skycouch seating option in economy cabins.
By turning a block of three seats into a sofa or flat bed, the Skycouch makes long-haul economy flights ‘extra comfortable’, according to Conde Nast Traveller.
Air New Zealand won the award ahead of fellow nominees including Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines, which both entered their Airbus A380 cabin designs.
Norm Thompson, deputy chief executive of the Australasian carrier, said: ‘This latest award reinforces how revolutionary the Skycouch concept is in the commercial aviation sector.
‘While airlines have made incremental improvements to their premium cabins over the years, no other airline has put this level of research and development effort into improving the economy flying experience.’
The Innovation and Design Awards also included a culture category, which recognised the Hepworth Gallery in Wakefield, Yorkshire, where visitors will be able to see the work of Dame Barbara Hepworth in a unique setting.
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Tags: Award, Conde Nast, Conde Nast Traveller, Nast Traveller