lcohen999

Since you are SPG, there is a beautiful Westin right at the waterfront.

WLGNZ

Westin has closed.
It is reopening as a Sofitel soon.

NHM

its already a Sofitel now, has been for quite a while. Sad to see the Westin close, thanks to those dodgy property developers

DCF

For an American the Sofitel is the best bet, as it is the best waterfront option, followed by the Hilton.

Placebogirl

Loads of people like the Spaceseats on the 773. I am not one of them--like you I am a short, average-width woman, and I found (even on a three hour flight) that it was impossible to get comfortable in a Spaceseat. I LOVED the PE seats on the 747 and the 772 though.

Rebound

77W - yes
772 - no

that's just my opinion, but an exit row on the 772 is just as good sleeping wise I've found, PE on the 77W however is really nice and i've slept a solid 7 hours in that seat very comfortably.

Zontar

I kind of wondered why Starwood did not have anything on their website for Auckland.

Booked into the Sofitel at $199.00 CDN per night.

catsongea

Thanks Placebogirl, I will book via SF to go to Chicago. Sounds like a better plan than LAX in P.E.

Routing

Just stayed at the Hilton Princes Wharf last week -- fantastic hotel, highly recommended. Now if we could just get a Starwood somewhere in New Zealand

Zontar

Well I have to say I was very impressed with the Preminum economy service on the 777. The seats were comfy, lots of legroom, and the food was good.

I would say if you are travelling for business and you cannot afford the executive class than this is definitely a good choice.

This was my very first Air New Zealand trip and I found the staff to be very courteous and professional.

I would definetly fly them again.

The Hilton in Aukland was nice as well. Had a bit of a dated late 90's look to me, but the seafood restaurant at the hotel was very good.

GordonGordon

I've just realized that the seat back at NZ Premium Economy (777-300) doesn't not recline. It remains me the horrendous, infamous Cathay Pacific Y seat with hard shell they used to have (still having on some routes). The old CX shell seat back just doesn't recline, it the seat slides down and forward without lumbar support. Passengers either hate it or love it. I'm the one who hate it the most and will avoid at all costs.

My question is how does NZ 777-300 Premium Economy seat compare to the CX old hard shell Y seat in terms of seat comfort?

sbiddle

The 77W PE seat is a mixed bag as well. Some love it, some hate it.

It's a mixed bag on the 77W. Amazing BP product, great PE product (apart from mixed views on the seats), and a horrible economy product. I flew back from LAX last week in Y (first time in this on the 77W) and to be honest would try and avoid that seat at all costs in future, it has to be one of the worst airline seats I've ever sat in especially with the 3-4-3 configuration.

Gasfoodlodging

O.k, time to thrash this topic even more + some...

I am 6'1", med build...and am having a tough time of choosing PE across to the US.

Via SFO, I get old school PE with 'lotsa' recline, but a row of three and tired seats (and chance of upper deck which would be a novelty).

Via LAX I get new school PE, bit more privacy, but I am unsure of comfort.

What are the new PE seats like for someone with long legs and a preference for reclining/ slouching?

AND, will I have more chance of getting a RU recognised via LAX or SFO, or equal chances?? Better chances to US or back to AKL?

Thanks for any advice!

sbiddle

Most SFO flights are still the 744 with a 772 flying a day or two each week. 744 PE config is 2-2 on the main deck and 3-2 on the top deck. I flew top deck PE in the exit row to SFO a few weeks ago and really enjoyed the experience.

The top deck has the appeal of simply being upstrairs, but the downstairs PE area is actually very nice and has a very cosy feeling. The only place I would try and avoid if possible is the last couple of rows on the left hand side of the main deck as these are next to the office.

It's hard to give odds of getting a RU accepted because it will vary on your flight. Loadings to the SFO and LAX over the past few months have been very high with many flights completely full in BP and PE. Air NZ have recently run some specials in PE to SFO so I'd suggest loadings on this route have potentially dropped slightly after the America's Cup. LAX always is a much busier destination.

DomesticGoddess

I've just put in for some Gold Elite airpoint standby upgrades on the AKL-LAX-LHR route for my partner and I to move to PE.

Will be interesting to see when and if they clear. My partner won't be pleased if they don't - i've just used my two RUs on a flight (by myself) to move up to Business.