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Photo © Dana Low | Photo © Jerry Pang |
Photo © Sam Chui | Photo © Colin Hunter |
Photo © Sam Chui | Photo © Jordi Grife - Iberian Spotters |
Photo © Tsuyoshi Hayasaki - AroundWorldImages | Photo © Tsuyoshi Hayasaki - AroundWorldImages |
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): And so here I was, climbing the stairway to heaven for the first time as a passenger seated on the upper deck! It just felt so good making my way up to the secluded space in the bubble. |
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): It was a good tasting meal – what one would expect from NZ’s premium meals. |
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): And then the imminent happened, not too long after things were tidied up. |
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): Enter trusty dad with his air points to allow me to purchase a standby upgrade which wasn%u2019t guaranteed so I needed to hold behind at least US$50 just in case I wasn%u2019t upgraded and had to pay for excess baggage. |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 1): passengers were put up in the Hilton with a US$40 food voucher and breakfast provided |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 2): The wonderful feature onboard the 747s are the storage bins underneath the window. Why can’t every window seat have such a luxury!? My camera bag just snuck into the bin where it stayed for the rest of the flight |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 2): It was a good tasting meal – what one would expect from NZ’s premium meals. |
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): This is what leads me to believe that if you were to fly Business on Air NZ, fly on the lower deck where there’s much more privacy. |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 1): Only the bottom right one is mine.. |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 2): must have annoyed my seat mate as I got up plenty of times at the wrong time to take pictures.. |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 3): (us Asians need our rice! ) |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 3): They also said that they’d have invited me to visit the cockpit during landing if it wasn’t for 9/11.. |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 1): In-N-Out isn’t just for when you’re spotting! Only the bottom right one is mine.. |
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): ZK-NBU was delivered new to Air New Zealand on 11 September 1992. It possesses Rolls Royce RB211 engines. This plane is destined to be gone from the fleet by the time NZ receive all of the 77Ws they have ordered. |
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): Let the spotting begin! |
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): The seat |
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): Amenity kit: |
Quoting MH017 (Reply 17): Your 747 down to the US, seems to have a different engine-type: does NZ operate two different types of engines on the 747 ? Mainentance-wise, that must be a headache... |
Quoting aflyingkiwi (Reply 5): Nice to see that the food was excellent. One thing I must comment about is that NZ don't provide metal cutlery in Y+. I know that the plastic cutlery isn't that bad but I think that metal cutlery should be provided in premium classes especially considering quite a few airlines offer that in Y. |
Quoting CXB77L (Reply 4): Wow, Nicholas, what can I say except that I'm jealous! Congratulations on getting the upgrade and a ride on the upper deck! If only I were so lucky ... |
Quoting CXB77L (Reply 4): I can imagine! For now, I'll have to live with simply looking up those stairs into an exclusive club when I walk by to my seat in the back of the plane |
Quoting CXB77L (Reply 4): While mine looked good it didn't taste that great. But I suppose that's the difference between Economy and Premium Economy. |
Quoting CXB77L (Reply 4): I can't say I like the idea of having window blinds closed at all. Nothing wrong with leaving them open, in my view. Why not just offer some eye shades to passengers that want to sleep? The view is so nice outside. Anyway, I suppose that's an entirely different topic for debate. |
Quoting CXB77L (Reply 4): How did you manage to get yourself a visit to the cockpit? I asked when I disembarked at YVR if I could see the cockpit, but they said that they don't do cockpit visits anymore |
Quoting aflyingkiwi (Reply 5): A pleasant surprise to see this report pop up and once again it's a fantastic read. |
Quoting aflyingkiwi (Reply 5): NZ's Premium Y cabin sounds like a very nice product and it's also cool that they have these seats on the upper deck. I should probably take advantage of the new Works Deluxe fares and book a flight on the 744's to get a seat on the upper deck but I'll probably try one of the spaceseats on the 77W's before I do that. |
Quoting aflyingkiwi (Reply 5): BTW how many airpoints did the upgrade cost? |
Quoting aflyingkiwi (Reply 5): One thing I must comment about is that NZ don't provide metal cutlery in Y+. I know that the plastic cutlery isn't that bad but I think that metal cutlery should be provided in premium classes especially considering quite a few airlines offer that in Y. |
Quoting Carfield (Reply 6): Thank you for a wonderful report and it is a definitely unusual daytime flight from LA to Australia/NZ. |
Quoting Ryan h (Reply 7): I will be flying to Vancouver with Air NZ later in the year, and paid a bit more for the premium economy. When doing the booking, put in a request for seats upstairs, so I hope we get them as I have never been upstairs on a 747. |
Quoting JL418 (Reply 8): Brilliant TR Nicholas, was waiting for the return leg ever since I read the outbound journey. As usual I'm deeply envious about your pictures, they are neat and clean as always (I wouldn't drag along so many lenses and a DSLR through airports and airplane, but I respect you for the effort!). |
Quoting JL418 (Reply 8): 3-3 Y configuration which make the whole place a lot more cramped that it appears on ANZ |
Quoting JL418 (Reply 8): Oh, and of course there weren't personally adjustable air vents. |
Quoting JL418 (Reply 8): I particularly enjoyed the views of rural New Zealand, makes me feel like going down there to have an hop around on a Beech propper...but, instead, I'm trapped in snow. |
Quoting jamesontheroad (Reply 9): Nicholas... What a great report. Thank you for taking so much time to write it and illustrate it with such great pictures. |
Quoting jamesontheroad (Reply 9): this morning I just selected 6A on NZ2 LAX-LHR next month. My first time with NZ, my first time on a 747 and my last blow-out redemption of BMI Diamond Club miles. An incredible deal and I will be sharing my trip report with you here later in February. Your peak into Business Class and your description of the friendly NZ service is making me very excited. Watch this space! |
Quoting Delboy (Reply 10): Fabulous report and great photos. I've been lucky enough to experience a lot of jump seat rides for landing and take off. 9/11 has a lot to answer for. |
Quoting BMIFlyer (Reply 11): What an amazing report, with fab pictures as well |
Quoting luxair747SP (Reply 12): Hi Nicholas, what an amazing TR Very detailed and with many high quality pictures. |
Quoting luxair747SP (Reply 12): On the first look, I thought Premium Eco looks like the normal Y-class, but the service and especially the space you have is far superieur. |
Quoting akhmad (Reply 13): I am speechless. Since I got ot know about the upgrade, I have been waiting for this report to come. And it has exceeded my expectation. |
Quoting akhmad (Reply 13): It is amazing how you have deepened your Premium Economy experience in so many details. From the lounge food and beverage offering, the presence of the FSM in the lounge, the seat features, the inflight service all along, the cockpit visit and the interesting geography lessons. All surrounded with crisp and high quality pictures. |
Quoting akhmad (Reply 13): Feels like I was there with you. Thanks a lot for this superb installment to finish your USA journey. |
Quoting akhmad (Reply 13): Yeah, right! |
Quoting akhmad (Reply 13): I don't think that it could have been a problem. He could remain seated anyway as you passed by. |
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 14): what a reat story and also pictures. I´am impressed about NZ around you´re flight, looks like perfect and also on the upper deck of the 747, really well done. It feels like the situation with the delay was well handled, good work here with NZ. |
Quoting SASDC8 (Reply 15): Wow NZ premium economy looks really good and their catering excellent Is there no divider between business class and premium economy? It seems rather strange to be in business class on the upper deck on the 747 only to share it with premium economy? |
Quoting 767747 (Reply 16): Wow, great report! Air New Zealand looks fantastic, and their Premium Economy service has to be the best out there! Wow, what a nice looking food service! Very cool that you got an upgrade on the 747-400. |
Quoting MH017 (Reply 17): Really love your photography on this TR; apart from the airport, lounge and onboard experience, it shows very well your Air New Zealand experience on Premium Economy !!! |
Quoting MH017 (Reply 17): Your 747 down to the US, seems to have a different engine-type: does NZ operate two different types of engines on the 747 ? Mainentance-wise, that must be a headache... |
Quoting MH017 (Reply 17): Wonder why NZ did not inform you about the schedule-change; if I understand correctly, you had to find out yourself by stumbling upon that article about the runway lights yourself. The offer of Hilton and 40 Dollars for meals seems a very good one (even for the fare-basis you paid)... |
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 18): I had been waiting for this report and I can say it is excellent, as expected. You wrote all the details and added fantastic pictures, what a pleasure to read. |
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 18): I may soon grab such a burger again at the famous In-N-Out... |
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 18): Good to see you also got a RR-powered bird. Those are my favorite 747s. |
Quoting NZdsgnr (Reply 20): Awesome trip report Nicholas! loved it... but now... will you just stop teasing us with photos from the 77W and do us the trip report already! |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 21): I'm sure you understand just like most people who post TRs here about the length of time it takes one to get a report up. |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 21): I don't think it'd be me if I didn't go into so much detail. I don't think I could limit it much if I tried without making the report somewhat substandard. All aspects combined help me convey the Air New Zealand experience. |
Quoting Ryan h (Reply 7): I will be flying to Vancouver with Air NZ later in the year, and paid a bit more for the premium economy. When doing the booking, put in a request for seats upstairs, so I hope we get them as I have never been upstairs on a 747. |
Quoting timb777 (Reply 24): Great Report NZ 107, I personally find these premium cabin reports much more interesting and rare that the many Y ones on this forum, and enjoyed the quality of this one- Well done. |
Quoting akhmad (Reply 25): Of course, no worries. It was well worth the wait! |
Quoting akhmad (Reply 29): I hope before next Wednesday because then I am flying myself. |
Quoting lukeyboy95 (Reply 30): I am sorry that I have not the time to go through the verbatim in greater detail, but I thoroughly enjoyed this report |
Quoting lukeyboy95 (Reply 30): I will ask you the same question that others tirelessly ask me - how do you fund it all?! I am playing the stock markets...badly |
Quoting lukeyboy95 (Reply 30): The food looked absolutely wonderful, and I think for those who the software is more important (i.e. us nerds) this Premium economy puts the others to shame. Infact it was much akin to business. |
Quoting lukeyboy95 (Reply 30): The lounge looked good, but I feel as though America can take some of the glamour out of travelling. Keep scouring those websites for good fares! I feel your going to have to branch away from EK and NZ , as I must from BA and QR! |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 31): Haha. Work and a bit of that sharetrading thing.. No funding whatsoever from anyone, although I'd love to get some 'help' |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 31): It did help that both lunch and dinner were served on my flight |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 31): I am looking for other airlines to try, especially on the Oneworld side of things.. |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 1): In-N-Out isn’t just for when you’re spotting! Only the bottom right one is mine.. |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 1): not to mention a whole lot of 42 Below vodka in different flavours. |
Quoting CXB77L (Reply 4): I can't say I like the idea of having window blinds closed at all. Nothing wrong with leaving them open, in my view. Why not just offer some eye shades to passengers that want to sleep? The view is so nice outside. Anyway, I suppose that's an entirely different topic for debate. |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 1): He also told me that I would be offered a hotel room and also meal vouchers to compensate for the extra night I was to stay in LA for. I was told to go to the airport for more information about the situation (and also my upgrade) where I’d be given all that offered. In the end I turned it down to spend quality time with my family (I later realised by reading in the flyertalk forum that passengers were put up in the Hilton with a US$40 food voucher and breakfast provided, as well as the fact that some passengers were put onto NZ19 (LAX-RAR-AKL)). My experience with NZ’s customer service was strikingly contrasting to the other person’s experience where he wasn’t offered any accommodation. |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 1): But anyway I was clear through all of that in half an hour and airside at 830. |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 1): What a treat it was to be able to experience the Air NZ lounge at LAX. For starters, I hadn’t had breakfast so I was lucky to be able to eat something. A friendly welcome at the door by one of the staff was the start to a relaxing time inside the lounge. Air New Zealand’s lounge is very long and offers excellent views over the apron towards Terminal 3 and also runway views out towards the 24s. So why not do some spotting while enjoying a quick bite? There are plenty of facilities at the lounge – computer stations, a kids area, free wifi and an open bar. That’s right, get it yourself and you could knock back a few scotches before the flight! There were 9 wines (5 white, 1 sparkling, 3 red), beer, soft drinks, juices, hot beverages and spirits – not to mention a whole lot of 42 Below vodka in different flavours. Obviously, it wasn’t full of stuff you’d usually have before 9am on any particular day. |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 1): I saw a lot of Bloody Marys made from my wanders around the lounge. |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 1): Sorry Roni, I can’t make Bloody Marys! It tasted horrible! |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 1): QF A332 to JFK as QF107 |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 1): Anthony did the rounds and personally introduced himself to everyone in the lounge. I thought that this was a fantastic touch for them to greet everyone in the lounge and ask if everything was ok. I later found out that this was protocol/normal from Air NZ? |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 2): FSM Anthony greeted me at the door and upon showing him my boarding pass, his reply was: “Ooh, up the stairs for you!” |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 2): If I get another chance to fly Premium Economy in the 747, I’m sure to take a seat on the lower deck. |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 2): TN A343 |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 2): Air New Zealand’s hot towels |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 2): Interim ‘reading’- What’s that second plane I wonder. |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 2): Entree |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 2): Been there, done that! |
Quoting lukeyboy95 (Reply 32): Indeed. How do you search for low fares on the airlines? You seem to get good deals. I have been using expedia, and then go directly to the airline website when I find the good ones. I get e/mails for some airlines, but rarely good deals. I am sure their is some application now about which alerts you to good seat sales. Have you heard of this? |
Quoting exFATboy (Reply 33): A great report with fantastic pictures, thanks! |
Quoting exFATboy (Reply 33): It's nice to see reports from Premium Economy, and I have to admit the legroom and food looked better than I expected from the PE product. Part of that might just be bias, I love duck! |
Quoting exFATboy (Reply 33): Only one? I don't think I could stop at only one, especially when I haven't had my In-N-Out fix for two years now. I'm wearing one of my 9 In-N-Out t-shirts even as I type this... |
Quoting ronerone (Reply 34): Superb TR once again! What an AMAZING feeling it must be to get this upgrade, and it just could not have been better timing than to happen on your legacy trip to the USA! |
Quoting ronerone (Reply 34): I don't mind a little delay here and there, as it makes the flight and the journey a lot more interesting. Especially when there are upgrades involved! haha. |
Quoting ronerone (Reply 34): I think i am sold on the prospect of trying out Air New Zealand now, i just need to find the right excuse .. The crew's positive energy, and the excellent presentation of the meals, both in Y+ and Y seem quite good! |
Quoting ronerone (Reply 34): I would have given up my family for the hotel room LOL |
Quoting ronerone (Reply 34): WoW! Half an hour is an annoyingly long time to wait for security. I have had security nightmares in the USA, but i do not recall a 30 minute wait in the queue. |
Quoting ronerone (Reply 34): The lounge looks fantastic! Quite similar to the one in AKL in terms of the food offerings. But USA lounges do not even come close to this one! |
Quoting ronerone (Reply 34): Seriously? That's it? I thought they'd send out a B744? |
Quoting ronerone (Reply 34): With regards to the upper deck, i would do anything to get a smaller one like those on the classics (741, 742 etc) |
Quoting ronerone (Reply 34): Quoting NZ107 (Reply 2): Air New Zealand’s hot towels Very souvernirable |
Quoting ronerone (Reply 34): Yes. And what about it? Anything? |
Quoting ronerone (Reply 34): Thanks for sharing this with us, and my aplogies for my late arrival (seems to be the norm nowadays!). Definitely looking forward to the next TR!! .. So, i hope we get to see it soon? |
Quoting chepos (Reply 35): Thank you very much for the entertaining read, awsome pictures. Was the meal tray a plastic trasnparent tray? What is the low season for travel to NZ? |
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 36): Aren't you just lucky to ride the upper deck of the 744! I wonder how NZ's Premium Economy compares to QF's? I declined the free upgrade to Premium Economy on the QF 744 SYD-LAX because it was not a window seat and in the middle rows, on the main deck! I wasn't going to miss the landing in LAX for anything. Air New Zealand is a great airline and you do justice to bringing it to us that way! |
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 37): I really enjoyed the report. Perfect photos once again, you're becoming a real pro! |
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 37): NZ Y+ is really nice, I am especially surprised by the food. Also the 2-seaters on the starboard side are nice when travelling with a partner. But why did the preflight drink come in a plastic cup where other drinks came in glass? |
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 38): I'm sure you'll never create a bad one! |
Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 39): Apology,for the late reply, time to sit and read has been in short supply of late! |
Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 39): ANZ PE looks very much like a watered down J rather than a pepped up Y services, pretty impressive - I'd seriously give it consideration next time I need to go to LAX from LHR. Great to see some more spotting pix from LAX, one of my favorite airports, I've spent many days happily spotting there over the years |
Quoting AlwaysOnAPlane (Reply 41): Very nice report and a very nice Y+ product by the looks of it. The seat looks quite comfy with ample room and your food along with the way it was presented also look great. Aways a pleasure to get in the "bubble" and yea, those bins are perfect for cameras and such like. |
Quoting AlwaysOnAPlane (Reply 41): Thank you for sharing this great report and your photos. |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 21): It must surely help to be sitting on the upper deck.. And I believe it's highly dependant on who you actually ask. |
Quoting CXB77L (Reply 43): I managed to get a cockpit visit on my return trip! It was my first time climbing those stairs on a 747, let alone the cockpit. In my excitement, though, I had completely forgotten to take a photo of the upper deck, but I did take one of the cockpit. I'll never forget that experience. |
Quoting CXB77L (Reply 43): You're right, it depends on who I ask, but I didn't actually have to ask this time. Once it was known that I was an aviation enthusiast (when I asked for the registration) I was offered a cockpit visit when I was about to disembark! |
Quoting RAGAZZO777 (Reply 44): Congratulations, this is a great trip report ! Loved it ! Actually I 'followed' you from Auckland to LAX and from LAX to SFO and viceversa in your previous trip reports. All in all, a great installment ! |
Quoting RAGAZZO777 (Reply 44): I would love to fly Air New Zealand someday ! They seem to be a great airline with a great product ! Hopefully, ANZ will fly to South America next year or by 2013 ! LIM will become a Star Alliance hub (TACA PERU being hubbed here) by next year so it could become one of ANZ's South American gateways. And I know what it's like to fly on the upper deck, it's such an 'experience' on its own ! I agree with you, those window compartments are so PRACTICAL ! If I could, I'd always fly on the upper deck !!! |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 1): What a treat it was to be able to experience the Air NZ lounge at LAX. For starters, I hadn’t had breakfast so I was lucky to be able to eat something. A friendly welcome at the door by one of the staff was the start to a relaxing time inside the lounge. |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 1): While we were chatting, the FSM (flight service manager) Anthony did the rounds and personally introduced himself to everyone in the lounge. I thought that this was a fantastic touch for them to greet everyone in the lounge and ask if everything was ok. I later found out that this was protocol/normal from Air NZ? |
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 3): This is what leads me to believe that if you were to fly Business on Air NZ, fly on the lower deck where there’s much more privacy. |
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): My turn checking in came some 20 minutes after arriving at the terminal. I was quick to ask: “I’ve got a standby upgrade, can you tell me if I’ve been upgraded?” Her reply was: “You’ll definitely get it. Where would you like to sit?” I was quite surprised at how quickly that popped up (and also very excited) but nonetheless I asked for an upper deck window seat. She told me that there were only “A” side upper deck window seats remaining. Air New Zealand’s Premium Economy layout is 3-2 with the row of 3 seats ABC next to each other and the other two are on the other side of the aisle. That was sorted out efficiently and after wishing me a good flight, I was off with my boarding pass. |
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): There’s a dedicated ‘Premium’ checkpoint where your documents are scrutinised but that day, they decided to put the slowest officer on that desk. |
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): What a treat it was to be able to experience the Air NZ lounge at LAX. For starters, I hadn’t had breakfast so I was lucky to be able to eat something. A friendly welcome at the door by one of the staff was the start to a relaxing time inside the lounge. |
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): While we were chatting, the FSM (flight service manager) Anthony did the rounds and personally introduced himself to everyone in the lounge. I thought that this was a fantastic touch for them to greet everyone in the lounge and ask if everything was ok. I later found out that this was protocol/normal from Air NZ? |
Quoting CXB77L (Reply 46): Exactly the same aircraft I flew on before on my AKL-YVR leg. And, by the looks of it, also the same aircraft that took you to LAX! |
Quoting airpearl (Reply 47): Sorry to have "grabbed a delay" myself and be arriving at your report many days late - and that's without the excuse of a shut-down runway or suchlike I am very slowly catching up on the many months I'd been away from this forum, and while my crazy work schedule still doesn't permit me to fully enjoy the reports here as much as I'd like, I'm making some progress by sneaking in a peek at work - feels almost subversive these days! |
Quoting airpearl (Reply 47): But it's worth it. What can I say - kudos for this really quite excellent report!! The narrative is comprehensive and informative while the pictures are superb. |
Quoting airpearl (Reply 47): Long haul premium suits you Nicholas, and I hope we will see a lot more from you in the months and years to come. I think the delay turned out to be a blessing in disguise as not only is a daytime transpacific flight unique, it also favors a camera-toting trip reporter! |
Quoting airpearl (Reply 47): Wow, this really is top class. I can't think of any other airline where this happens. |
Quoting airpearl (Reply 47): Looking at your pics of the upper deck, I would agree with you. I had expected a curtain or some sort of divider between the two halves upstairs. |
Quoting airpearl (Reply 47): Thanks again for this report Nicholas which reminds me of my only experience on NZ's B744 a couple of years back. I hope I too will get the chance to "grab" one again before they leave the fleet. |
Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 48): What an amazingly well written and detailed report. Pretty neat stuff. Finally catching up on all those reports ... and you're right, I have missed my time away from this board. |
Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 48): NZ Y+ seems to be quite exemplary - in fact, I don't recall any airline Y+ with such nice food/beverage choice. Kudos to them for sure. I have only flown NZ twice and both were mediocre experiences ... perhaps, it is time for a revisit? |
Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 48): I think I have the worst luck with upgrades |
Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 48): Trust me, it wasn't that day. LAX is the WORST international gateway in North America (for me), and I have encountered this numerous times. |
Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 48): Isn't it nice? It is one of the nicest lounges in the U.S. and people who work it are great. Once, I forgot to print something and was arriving into the terminal and flying WN ... rushed to the lounge and explained my situation and that I am a loyal Star flyer .. agent gladly welcomed me and told me to use the facilities. |
Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 48): Wow. Pretty impressive. Jet Airways does it for FCL ... but this is pretty nice! |