Quoting gasman (Reply 42): although for some it will hurt and for them I sympathise.

It can be argued that only middle to high income people are going overseas anyway, so the increase wont really impact them.
If you cant afford an extra $36, you shouldn't be travelling internationally.

Quoting gasman (Reply 42): Whereas there are plenty of major first world countries where all that is required to enter or leave is a simple flash of the passport.

There are also plenty of countries with much higher airport taxes than NZ. Australia, UK, Fiji etc

I love flying PR. Their crew are friendly Y service decent and the business class reasonably priced. I don't know what the issue is with A320. It is the only full fare offering to CNS...Any of you who are regulars to the USA and flying to the eastern seaboard will know they use 738/739 LAX-BOS/IAD/EWR or SFO-FLL all the time (as i was booked to fly just 2days ago) as well as not being fed or watered with free booze like PR. I flew HNL-MAJ-KWA-KOS-PNI-TKK-GUM-MNL on a UA 738 with no IFE It took 14h+...just to put it in perspective. As others have said bigger is not better when it comes to seat pitch or service.
Ps PR have comfy Y+ on their 321s too if it comes to that eventually.

Quoting 777ER (Reply 47): So in other words, its highly likely we'll see A321s operating domestic services during peak hour

What about A321s out of WLG on TT routes ? Aotearoa said recently that they would not be operated out of ZQN on TT routes. Would the same reasons apply to WLG?

"Air NZ opens 'ground breaking' Sydney lounge"

Air New Zealand has opened a new lounge it describes as ground breaking at Sydney Airport but hasn't had to impose a dress code.

The revamped space is part of a $40 million upgrade of the airline's lounges at the busiest ports that it flies to.

Unlike transtasman its Qantas rival it hasn't needed to impose minimum dress standards.

Air New Zealand's general manager customer experience Carrie Hurihanganui said the Qantas move had led to some discussion within her airline but it hadn't felt the need to issue any guidelines.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/n...ticle.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11453116

Quoting byronicle6 (Reply 50): It can be argued that only middle to high income people are going overseas anyway, so the increase wont really impact them. If you cant afford an extra $36, you shouldn't be travelling internationally.

So why not $50? Or $80? It only matters when it starts to hurt you, right?

Looking forward to the day when a tax actually reduces because of, you know, efficiencies. Yeah, good luck.

Good news on the PR front though. I wouldn't be too keen for such a lengthy flight with not PTVs but I imagine Cairns would welcome the custom after NZ's reversion to a seasonal only service.

Quoting sunrisevalley (Reply 52):

Doubt NZ would operate A321s out of WLG on TT routes since they are being purchased as a B763 Tasman replacement. A321s to AKL and CHC yes, but not Aussie due.

I'm pretty sure you'll find the comments about ZQN was relating mainly to domestic services

Quoting 777ER (Reply 55): Doubt NZ would operate A321s out of WLG on TT routes since they are being purchased as a B763 Tasman replacement. A321s to AKL and CHC yes, but not Aussie due.

I would have thought the 321s were a perfect fit for incremental growth out of WLG. It's a pretty desirable plane given it's combination of range and capacity for NZ. Sure it won't fly PER, but that illustrates the 789/321 combo approach to replacing the 767s. I'd say longer term you'll see more 321s than 320s in the NZ fleet.

Has NZ chosen an NEO engine yet? Can't say I'm a fan of the enormous jets under the wing of the 320s but perhaps they'll look more proportionate on the 321. Can't see any discernible visual difference between the CFM and PW offerings, which is a shame - I like the variety of looks that the current CFM56 and IAEs give the 320 fleets.

Quoting aerokiwi (Reply 56): Has NZ chosen an NEO engine yet?

Yes, the P&W .

Is ZK-NCJ out of auction at the moment? noticed it's been sitting at ANZES all week

Does anyone have a clue about when the proposed codeshare BUE-Brazil flights will start being marketed by NZ, so that complete Brazil-NZ itineraries can be purchased?

So, I was on my first couple of NZ 789 flights last week (returned yesterday), and it was a mixed bag:

Quoting gasman (Reply 3): tries to add extra cushioning, or seat width?

A huge issue for me - these seats were extremely hard and uncomfortable, even after 2 hours.

However, we had a Skycouch row both ways (two of us on AKL-NRT in 38, and 3 on NRT-AKL in 36). Seat pitch was great, and a million times better than the 77W "normal" rows. Are the "normal" (i.e. non Skycouch) seats on the 789 the same as on the 77W?
My partner is not flying a lot, and he loved the large windows and the service via screen menu. Though on the NRT-AKL flight they ran out of snacks very quickly   He also loved the window tinting.

We also did a domestic KIX-NRT on Peach, which was a great flight. Quite a bit better than JQ, for example. And HND-ITM in J on JL, which was fab as well. Great seats (2 seater at the window), and funnily, J is only very little more than Y on JL or NH on domestic flights. Why anybody books Y I don't understand. The LCCs are MUCH cheaper though.

Quoting ZKOJQ (Reply 33): What is PR's service like? Worth flying with them to Cairns just to log another airline?

We only did a domestic return last year (MNL-TAG-MNL), on RP-C3228 and RP-C8609. One was PR and one was PAL, and both were very comfortable. Service was, of course, minimal for such a short domestic leg, but we did get crackers and drinks both ways. On a 6-6 hour flight, I would give them a go. If you can do trans-Atlantic on a 757, you can do TT on a n A320... While I use the PTVs, I also always have my iPad with me, and can easily preload tons of movies/TV shows.

Quoting ZKOJQ (Reply 48): Even during off peak times, it's usually a real pain.

I agree re peak time, but off-peak is a breeze. We arrived at 8:20am yesterday, and I had nobody in the immigration queue in front of me, and only one person in the customs queue. With priority luggage early on he belt, we were through in no time. The interesting part of the arrival was that it was my first time ever that I arrived at a remote stand and had a bus transfer to the terminal. Never had that in AKL before - neither on NB nor on WB aircraft.

Cheers
micha

Quoting zkeoj (Reply 62): A huge issue for me - these seats were extremely hard and uncomfortable, even after 2 hours.

Still better than the 763 seat, which is harder than the 789 seat.

Quoting zkeoj (Reply 62): Are the "normal" (i.e. non Skycouch) seats on the 789 the same as on the 77W?

NZ website seat maps say 789 Y is 31"-32" whereas the 77W is 32"-33".

Hi Folks

I have a question re mileage accrual when on a SQ operated flight under NZ flight number:

AKL-SIN (NZ3286)
SIN-LHR (NZ3308)

and UA:
SFO-HNL (NZ9068)

I know I'll get Airpoints Dollars and Status Dollars on NZ for that. But what about other Star Alliance carriers/programmes? Do I look up SQ or NZ on their accrual tables? In some cases SQ in Q would earn, while NZ in Q wouldn't. However, since it is an NZ flight number, will NZ be applied, or SQ as the operator? And similar with UA...

Cheers
micha   

Quoting NZ107 (Reply 63): Still better than the 763 seat, which is harder than the 789 seat.

I find tha hard to believe - I never had a problem with the 767 seats, but both ways the 789 seats were very hard...

Quoting NZ107 (Reply 63): NZ website seat maps say 789 Y is 31"-32" whereas the 77W is 32"-33"

Interesting. I felt VERY cramped in the non-Skycouch seats on the 77W, so I don't even want to know how the non-Skycouch 789 seats are - yikes!

Thanks!
micha

Quoting zkeoj (Reply 64):

NZ codeshare generally means NZ fare table.

Quoting zkeoj (Reply 65): I find tha hard to believe - I never had a problem with the 767 seats, but both ways the 789 seats were very hard...

Either way I won't complain anymore, seeing that both are better than the shell seat 

Quoting zkeoj (Reply 64): Hi Folks I have a question re mileage accrual when on a SQ operated flight under NZ flight number: AKL-SIN (NZ3286) SIN-LHR (NZ3308) and UA: SFO-HNL (NZ9068) I know I'll get Airpoints Dollars and Status Dollars on NZ for that. But what about other Star Alliance carriers/programmes? Do I look up SQ or NZ on their accrual tables? In some cases SQ in Q would earn, while NZ in Q wouldn't. However, since it is an NZ flight number, will NZ be applied, or SQ as the operator? And similar with UA... Cheers micha

It's the operating carrier's booking class that counts. If it's an SQ operated flight with an NZ number, NZ Q class doesn't necessarily mean it maps out to SQ Q class. You will need to call SQ to find out what the SQ booking class is which is what determines mileage earning. The cheapest few SQ classes earn no Airpoints even with NZ flight numbers.

The exception are NZ codeshare flights on VA and CX where it is the NZ earn rates that apply. Not sure why they don't do the same with SQ.

A few NZ threads before it was rumored that NZ may be looking to acquire 2 more 77W'S or order additional 787-9'S. Has there been any other news on additional aircraft for NZ.

If NZ does take 2 additional 77W'S which routes would they be used on? Perhaps open AKL-LIM or AKL-BOM?

Thanks for any thoughts on this. I personally think additional 787-9'S or 787-10'S would be good for NZ.

Quoting georgiabill (Reply 68): AKL-LIM or AKL-BOM?

Really? 77W to start LIM or BOM?
I highly doubt NZ would consider anywhere else in South America until EZE is up to at least daily, and that GRU would be more lucrative than LIM.
I also think the India ship has sailed for NZ. India is much more effectively serviced via the SQ/NZ partnership via SIN.

If the 2 extra 77W do end up at NZ, i think you would likely see them put on well established routes e.g LAX/SFO that are currently 77E, maybe HKG or YVR at a stretch.

[Edited 2015-05-23 09:51:08]

If NZ does take 2 additional 77W'S which routes would they be used on? Perhaps open AKL-LIM or AKL-BOM?

Thanks for any thoughts on this. I personally think additional 787-9'S or 787-10'S would be good for NZ.
[/quote]

With the commencement of AKL-IAH later in the year and at a beginning frequency of 5x weekly I don't see a need for additional 77W's. Also the ongoing refit of their 77E is bringing it's seating up to 312 only 22 seats less than their 77W's. I don't see BOM , they are serving this market with their AKL-SIN flight and their arrangement with SIA. Also apparently there is a code share in the works with AI , probably via SYD to DEL. I have no opinion on AKL-LIM except that I would expect that AKL-EZE has to work before any other South American routes are considered. I would think LAN are better set to serve LIM via their AKL-SCL service.
They added two 789 orders recently that will bring the fleet to 12 by about 4-years from now. I don't know about the 787-10, we need to see where it is at EIS. At this time it would be only good enough for about max passenger westbound LAX-AKL. If 35t payload would suffice ( 85% passenger load factor) plus 5t freight it would probably work . Certainly the ~> 21% less fuel burn over the 77E has to be attractive.
As usual just my   

Quoting georgiabill (Reply 68): If NZ does take 2 additional 77W'S which routes would they be used on? Perhaps open AKL-LIM or AKL-BOM?

NZ has said many times that they wont fly to BOM, as its an low yielding market.

Quoting georgiabill (Reply 68): Thanks for any thoughts on this. I personally think additional 787-9'S or 787-10'S would be good for NZ.

787-10 was publicly ruled out by NZ due to its lack of lift for LAX-AKL wih an full payload, they instead put an expressions of intret out fo the 77X/359

An interesting example of two extremes of fare profit margins

I'm about to fly AKL-TXL, using NZ (having sworn I'd not fly with them long haul again) and KLM, through Asia. The return fare was $7100.

Going westbound, using either NZ/KLM or NZ/LH was going to cost just under $12,000. (!!!).

Either route would have had a similar amount of time on NZ metal. But I'd bet that at least 80% of the price differential would be due to NZ's premium fares westbound, and nothing to do with KLM/LH.

Quoting NZ107 (Reply 66): NZ codeshare generally means NZ fare table.

Quoting xiaotung (Reply 67): It's the operating carrier's booking class that counts. If it's an SQ operated flight with an NZ number, NZ Q class doesn't necessarily mean it maps out to SQ Q class. You will need to call SQ to find out what the SQ booking class is which is what determines mileage earning. The cheapest few SQ classes earn no Airpoints even with NZ flight numbers.

Thanks, guys! Though your info is contradicting. NZ107 says it is the NZ table, whereas xiaotung says it is the operating airline's class (in this case SQ). I'll call SQ and see if they can tell me what is correct...

Cheers
micha

Quoting gasman (Reply 73): Going westbound, using either NZ/KLM or NZ/LH was going to cost just under $12,000. (!!!).

I meant "eastbound". Duh.

Quoting georgiabill (Reply 68): If NZ does take 2 additional 77W'S which routes would they be used on? Perhaps open AKL-LIM or AKL-BOM?

Any new 77W won't be used on a new route as it will be too big. New 77W would be used to up gauge existing 77E/789 routes or as an extra service on those routes. AKL-HKG for example is a route that could use the extra hold space and capacity of the 77W.

[Edited 2015-05-23 15:52:19]

Quoting zkeoj (Reply 64):

Your points/status are based totally on the airlines FF rules for which your a member off. If your an NZ FF then you get the points based on what they say, if your a UA FF then you get the points based on what UA say etc etc.

NZ do offer full NZ earning on VA and CX due to different rules compared to NZs number on SQ flights. Check with the FF airline information. If your booked in 'Q' class on SQ then check the NZ FF page for how many points/status you'll earn for flying Q on SQ.

Quoting ZKOJH (Reply 53): Air New Zealand's general manager customer experience Carrie Hurihanganui said the Qantas move had led to some discussion within her airline but it hadn't felt the need to issue any guidelines.

We should all start complaining to the desk managers in the lounges. I find it disappointing to see people in the lounge wearing jandals, singlets and scruffy clothes. I guess shorts are acceptable but that encourages jandals. Personally my wife and I like to have at least jeans on for lounge and departure and if we are going to say Hawaii or Fiji then we change into shorts on the plane. I think the lounge should have minimum of no jandals, long pants (tidy jeans ok) and a collared shirt. Its not particularly onerous and maintains at least some degree of decorum.

I heard that the new AKL lounge was going to have a mezzanine floor for elite members - any truth to that because the lounge these days seem more crowded and hectic than the main terminal !

cheers

Quoting nz2 (Reply 78): Its not particularly onerous and maintains at least some degree of decorum.

Perhaps "decorum" is the wrong word - it implies an element of snobbery which will be a red rag to a bull for some - it's more about having respect for the people around you, some of whom with you are about to share a fairly confined space.

Quoting nz2 (Reply 78): any truth to that because the lounge these days seems more crowded and hectic than the main terminal

There's no "seems" about it. I don't bother with the NZ intl. lounge at AKL these days. For the price of a $4 coffee, you can sit in the main terminal with a far more relaxed ambience than exists in that lounge. It's not as though the food is anything to write home about, as opposed to that which exists in the EK lounge around the corner which is fantastic (and probably is sourced from the same kitchen - anyone know??)

Quoting gasman (Reply 75): I meant "eastbound". Duh.

Perfect demonstration of the power of monopoly. Let's hope QF, AA or DL jump on the LAX-AKL route soon.

Quoting nz2 (Reply 78): e should all start complaining to the desk managers in the lounges. I find it disappointing to see people in the lounge wearing jandals, singlets and scruffy clothes. I guess shorts are acceptable but that encourages jandals. Personally my wife and I like to have at least jeans on for lounge and departure and if we are going to say Hawaii or Fiji then we change into shorts on the plane

Don't forget that not everyone in the lounge is traveling for business purposes, If I'm going to LAX in J and I've paid $10,000 myself. I should get to wear what every I want.

Quoting zkncj (Reply 81): If I'm going to LAX in J and I've paid $10,000 myself. I should get to wear what every I want.

Not necessarily.

If a transport company - an airline - has a dress code which they enforce, you could be out of luck, no matter how much you paid.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...l-airline-s-strict-dress-code.html

"Qantas refused me entry to its lounge because I was wearing thongs... I was going on holiday!': Flyers angry after falling foul of airline's strict dress code"

That was at the start of it and it's calmed down since then, so I guess people are getting used to the idea.

mariner

Remember that the QF Lounge dress code only applies to Domestic Qantas Clubs and Business lounges in SYD, MEL, BNE, CBR, ADL, PER. International lounges are unaffected by the change

Quoting zkeoj (Reply 74):

Sorry, Xiaotung is correct. I was too late to amend my post. I was thinking about OW, where the codeshare earning is made much easier by the fact that you go by the booking class of the codeshare. But Star is odd.. And a bit annoying in that case too.

Quoting nz2 (Reply 78):

Could be.. They have a Elite Priority One (what a wankerish name) area in the new SYD lounge: http://www.ausbt.com.au/air-new-zeal...=flipper&utm_campaign=home-flipper

Quoting 777ER (Reply 77): NZ do offer full NZ earning on VA and CX due to different rules compared to NZs number on SQ flights. Check with the FF airline information. If your booked in 'Q' class on SQ then check the NZ FF page for how many points/status you'll earn for flying Q on SQ.

Thanks, 777ER, but I think I didn't explain myself properly. I can clearly see even in the booking how many Airpoints Dollars I will earn for that flight. What I can't determine is how many - if any - air miles I can earn on my OZ programme, since I don't know if in their rules I have to look up Q in NZ (flight number) or Q in SQ (operting carrier). There is a difference in these - one gets 100% and the other nothing - so which one is it?

Cheers
micha

Quoting zkeoj (Reply 85):

What programme are you with? If your with NZ then you'll earn NZ FF, if your with OZ with your OZ FF number linked to the NZ booking then check the OZ web-site for earning rates

Quoting 777ER (Reply 86): the OZ web-site for earning rates

I did! But it says Q on NZ gets 100% and SQ in Q gets 0%. I still don;t know which one counts!

Cheers
micha

Quoting zkeoj (Reply 87):

From what I understand, your an OZ FF but did the booking via NZ. You won't get any points since you've done the booking via NZ as NZ rules will apply.

Quoting 777ER (Reply 88): From what I understand, your an OZ FF but did the booking via NZ. You won't get any points since you've done the booking via NZ as NZ rules will apply.

No, if the flight is operated by SQ, it's SQ booking class that applies. As I said, NZ Q doesn't mean it's Q on SQ. If NZ can't tell you what SQ booking class it is, SQ can.

Thanks again, Guys! I will call SQ and see what they say. I am just always worried the say something on the phone, and later it won;t happen. But that's the risk I gotta take I guess..

Cheers
micha

Quoting gasman (Reply 73): But I'd bet that at least 80% of the price differential would be due to NZ's premium fares westbound, and nothing to do with KLM/LH.

In my experience, NZ puts a hideous markup on connections through the US. For example, if you book an NZ premium economy fare through LAX/SFO/YVR, NZ will charge full fare Y for the ongoing flight, but the ticket is actually in the lowest Y bucket. The difference can be as much as 300%. It's price gouging.

Quoting zkncj (Reply 81): Don't forget that not everyone in the lounge is traveling for business purposes, If I'm going to LAX in J and I've paid $10,000 myself. I should get to wear what every I want.

No it shouldn't, just because you paid $10,000 doesn't give you the ability to make your own rules. It's like saying I am high paying passenger and therefore I can behave in whatever way I want. You pay a higher fare to get a better seat, better food, more luggage allowance, lounge access, shorter lines, better service and more points earning ability, nothing more. Money doesn't buy you everything (unless of course you travel by private jet, in which case you can dress/behave in whatever manner you like).

Quoting zkncj (Reply 71): 787-10 was publicly ruled out by NZ due to its lack of lift for LAX-AKL wih an full payload

I think that the last word has not been said on this. We need to wait and see what it looks like when Boeing makes their presentation to EK.

Quoting Kaiarahi (Reply 91): In my experience, NZ puts a hideous markup on connections through the US.

They do, but my fare on NZ/KL AKL-TXL via Asia is LESS than a simple return flight AKL-LAX on NZ (without any connections). It's daylight robbery.

Quoting gasman (Reply 94): They do, but my fare on NZ/KL AKL-TXL via Asia is LESS than a simple return flight AKL-LAX on NZ (without any connections). It's daylight robbery.

Doing my utmost to avoid NZ as well. But the promo was just to good.
Im flying AKL-GOT this week. Back to HQ.
I just couldn't resist the price that NZ offered. Then I realised that KL offered virtually the same price so I booked my trip with them. Going westbound is insane when it comes to pricing. Monopoly routes and it shows. Sometimes it costs the same to go to California as to Europe...
Well cant blame NZ for maximising their profits, its still better than us taxpayers bailing them out again. With the recent deficit budget, we city people again have to bear the costs of a few farmers who want absolute protection, while at the same time playing outside every international law. Continuing to violate trade agreements etc calling their produce trademarked names such as "feta". Or even worse blatantly naming Szechuans pride, the Chinese gooseberry, kiwifruit....

KL is worse than NZ, a truly horrid product, its poor service and seats etc is only matched by LAN in AKL. Add on a bizarre check in experience that borders on insanity. You must check in through the machines (Must) but since I fly certain legs on other carriers the machines dont allow me to check in on them. That means I need to check in manually at a desk, but that I am not allowed to until a supervisor has checked that i cant check in on the machines and then allows me to visit the manual desk.
Logic KL style. Setting the passenger needs first always...

But price matters, the least I could do was ensure I went on SQ between AKL-SIN instead of NZ. SQ were available 2 times a week, NZ 5 times, the prices were identical.
SO now I get one great leg AKL-SIN (SQ) and one horrid SIN-AMS (KL). One daytime flight with good service and prodict and one flight where Ill pop a sleeping pill as soon as we have taken off and where I purposely avoid any interaction.
This and another such flight in September should be enough to give me gold status, whatever that now is called with FlyingBlue. Hopefully that makes Skyteam more interesting. Thats an alliance I rarely fly with.

Quoting MillwallSean (Reply 95): KL is worse than NZ, a truly horrid product, its poor service and seats etc is only matched by LAN in AKL.

I've always found them somewhat better than what you describe. Hard product mediocre (although the new J class product looks great, guess I'll find out tomorrow), food average, but personal interaction/attentiveness superb.

And always well priced.

Now this is irritating.

Travelling tonight AKL-PVG on NZ, then PVG-AMS-TXL on KL. NZ can't check my bags past PVG. What gives??

So the government has announced that NZL passports will revert back to 10 year validity from December. Glad it is finally happening but I'm not sure as to why it's going to take until December!

In other news it looks like NZ is dropping certain 2x per day frequencies into SFO presumably to have aircraft for the IAH service (seeing as how it's the same days).