Luo Yonghao Slams Air New Zealand Business Class as "Social‑Anxiety Hell", netizens quip: Welcome to the “Airborne Foot‑Spa”

Chinese tech entrepreneur Luo Yonghao ignited chatter online after calling his experience in Air New Zealand’s Business Premier a trial of “the eighteenth level of hell for socially anxious people” during a flight from New York to Auckland.

Luo posted that he struggled from the “first few hours” with the inward‑facing seat layout and low privacy screens, saying: “I had the urge to stay in the lavatory—only when the cabin lights went out did it ease a bit.” Though the airline offers a full lie‑flat bed and premium New Zealand‑style cuisine, Luo warned: “Don’t book business class without first checking others’ reviews—I’d call that seat arrangement a psychological burden.”

Netizens Quip: Welcome to the “Airborne Foot‑Spa”

On forums like Kantie.org, air‑travel snark ran wild:

“空中洗脚城 lol”
“The face‑to‑face layout… it’s way too awkward”

Users joked the cabin resembled a floating foot‑bath spa, with passengers literally facing each other uncomfortably close. One captured the picture that went viral online, poking fun at Luo’s expression mid‑flight, dubbing him “Luo‑guang (the stunned face)” .

Many echoed Luo’s thoughts:

“There’s something about staring at someone’s legs or feet 30 cm away that just… makes you feel boxed in.”
“And why are the privacy boards so low? You can basically see everyone’s plate when they’re eating.”

Seat Layout at the Heart of the Complaint

The core issue? Air New Zealand’s older Dreamliner Business Premier layout features a 1‑1‑1 arrangement, famously called “aisle‑facing reverse‑herringbone”:

Window seats (A) face outward toward the fuselage wall—more private
Centre seats (J/K aisle) face inward toward the cabin aisle and each other, meaning two passengers literally face one another, separated by only a waist‑high board

That makes seating options disparate: while seat A may offer peace, seat J or K can feel like a booth at the worst kind of spa, depending on who’s booked beside you.

When converted for sleep, the seat folds forward into a rigid “bed” that traps personal items and leaves occupant’s legs in awkward positions—a design common among older Air NZ and Virgin Atlantic 787‑9’s.

Air NZ’s Revamped Business Premier: Privacy Upgraded

According to Condé Nast Traveler (July 2025), Air NZ is rolling out a new Business Premier seat on its retrofitted Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliners. The revamped cabin now uses a 1‑2‑1 forward‑facing layout:

Every seat is an aisle seat, with sliding dividers in the centre that can remain raised for solo travellers or lowered for companion dine‑in
Seats are full lie‑flat with a 24 in entertainment screen, adjustable headrests, memory‑foam mattresses, and power ports

An NZ Herald review states: “With both centre and aisle divider up, you have considerable privacy.” Pros highlight table dining in the front “Luxe” cabin location and service often praised as relaxed and seamless.

Design vs. Comfort: A Consumer Dilemma

Seat Configuration

Version	Layout	Pros	Cons
Older 1‑1‑1	A‑J‑K; centre seats face aisle and each other	Widely spaced abreast, looked spacious on paper	Very low privacy; centre facing can feel intrusive
Refit 1‑2‑1	Each seat faces forward with adjustable divider	Better privacy; aisle access; modern amenities	Fewer seats per aircraft; may cost more

Psychological Burden for Social Anxiety
Comfortable interiors and top‑tier service won’t offset the stress of 30 cm across-the-board stares, something Luo and many passengers likened to live performance art in discomfort.

Traveler Advice

If prone to social anxiety, opt for seat A on older configurations if still flying
Prefer the new retrofit Dreamliner if booking post‑June 2025 service—especially the Business Premiere Luxe seats with walls/doors
Consult recent reviews or seatmaps on platforms like SeatGuru or travel blogs (many now flag the older layout as “not for introverts”)

The Verdict: Luxury or Faux Pas?

Air New Zealand Business Premier remains a high‑end product on paper: full-flat seats, quality catering, and attentive service. Yet, for some travellers—particularly those who value solitude—design is destiny. A low divider, a face-to-face centre seat, and a long haul flight can quickly transform “business” into “bound discomfort.”

Luo’s candid post—and wave of netizen memes—reinforces a broader truth: aesthetics and price won’t substitute for psychological comfort. After all, not every seat is the same—even if the class label is identical.

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