EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - Air New Zealand today announced the new range of classes that will be available to travelers on its fleet of refitted Boeing 747-400 aircraft and eight new Boeing 777-200 aircraft this year. In addition to its "Business Premier" and "Pacific Economy" Classes, Air New Zealand has established a "Pacific Premium Economy" Class, making it the only airline to offer premium economy seating on flights to New Zealand. > "This is just the beginning," said Gus Gilmore, vice president of Air New Zealand - The Americas. "New planes, new in-flight entertainment systems, new seats, new uniforms and a new food and beverage service are just some of the developments we are working on to enhance our long-distance offerings. It has been quite a journey and we look forward to delivering a superior product to our customers in the second half of this year." > The new three-class configuration is expected to be available on flights from San Francisco to Auckland by August 2005, then on flights from Los Angeles to Auckland and Los Angeles to London by end of the year. > Enhancements to each of the cabins will include Business Premier: Air New Zealand's replacement class for its First and Business Class long-haul products will provide customers luxurious comfort and service at a Business Class price. It will feature the revolutionary lie-flat seats, which includes a comfortable, 22-inch-wide leather armchair that converts into a 6-foot, 7.5-inch bed, an ottoman footrest that doubles as a visitor's seat, direct aisle access for all passengers, in-seat power and a high resolution 10.4-inch screen to view the on-demand entertainment system.

Pacific Premium Economy: Air New Zealand's newest class of travel, will be located in the premium cabin and feature the largest pitch in its class at 39 to 40-inches, a generous seat-width and on-demand entertainment on a personal 8.4-inch-high resolution screen. Customers will enjoy many of the comforts of the premium cabin, including the same beverage service, LED mood cabin lighting and in-seat power for electrical devices. > Pacific Economy: Air New Zealand's refreshed economy class will feature on-demand entertainment with 8.4-inch high-resolution in-seat video screens and offer travellers more personal space with its 34-inch seat pitch, one of the most generous of any long-haul carriers flying into New Zealand from North America. > Based on sales dates, final pricing and exact aircraft configuration for all three classes will be announced over the upcoming months. Exact fares for Pacific Premium Economy have yet to be finalized, but are likely to be around 25 percent more than Pacific Economy.

The $112 million upgrade of the 747 fleet is already in progress, with suppliers well into production of key components including seats and interiors. The refit of the first aircraft is expected to begin in April and be flying by July. The first of Air New Zealand's new 777 aircraft is expected to be in service in October. > About Air New Zealand Air New Zealand offers more direct flights to the South Pacific than any other airline, including flights from Los Angeles to New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Australia, Fiji, Tahiti, the Cook Islands, Tonga and Samoa. Air New Zealand now offers non-stop service three times a week from San Francisco to Auckland and Los Angeles to Christchurch, the gateway to New Zealand's South Island. United Mileage Plus, US Airways Dividend Miles and Air Canada's Aeroplan members earn and redeem mileage on selected flights. The readers of leading travel magazines consistently rate Air New Zealand among the world's best international airlines.

Visit Air New Zealand online at www.airnewzealand.com/usa or www.airnewzealand.com/canada or call > 1-800-262-1234 in the USA and 1-800-663-5494 in Canada. > Lucy Powell Air New Zealand Communications Manager - The Americas Tel +1 310 648 7104 Fax +1 310 648 7017 Cell +1 310 529 8640 Email lucy.powell@airnz.com mailto:lucy.powell@airnz.com> www.airnewzealand.com