On Oct. 26, the airline starts flying the globe daily from its Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Honolulu gateways. The routing, via Auckland, Hong Kong, and London, makes Air New Zealand the only carrier to offer round-the-world service using its own fleet.

(Pacific Island stopovers are available between Los Angeles and Auckland.) Its new Business Class seats recline flat, and seats in Pacific Premium Economy Class (available on every sector of the new service) have 39-inch pitch, 18.5-inch width (equal to many of Delta’s Business Class seats), and a full leg rest. Economy class tickets purchased before July 31 cost $2,500, which is $300 off the regular fare; Business Class is $7,200, and Pacific Premium Economy Class $3,600. Reservations: (800) 262-1234.

My Take: Premium Economy is the real deal here, especially given the seat width and pitch. Round the world Business Class can be had for less elsewhere. On the plus side: Air New Zealand’s Business Class seat is almost identical to Virgin’s Upper-Class seat, one of the best seats going.