Thai-Kiwi

Welcome to FT ottiehound!

I just had a look at my own records, and my last flight on ZK-NBV was a same day turnaround AKL-MEL-AKL on a 'Seat Only' fare in Nov 2010. The was also my most recent Air NZ 744 flight.

I then used a (soon to expire) 'Gold Upgrade' (before RU came into being) to travel more comfortably in both directions. Seemed like good value as the Seat Only fare was on a sale

Always like flying the 747, be sad to see them out of service

pbl22

I appreciate that you have travelled extensively, TK, but hadn't realised that time travel was part of your arsenal.

Thai-Kiwi

Thanks, corrected. Probably a consequence of the very limited flying so far this year, although this will be rectified very soon!

mad_atta

They didn't put 777s on LAX-AKL route initially did they? It always seemed to be a 744 when I flew it, until the 773s arrived (which was much more recent).

JVPhoto

Thank you. I know we for sure didn't make a stop I would have remembered that.

Trumpkin

It is now parked in the hanger, probably being stripped of Air NZ equipment and colour scheme.

JVPhoto

Is there a rumor to who bought it and with all Y is it a charter or for a low cost airline?

Hengilas

My first flight to NZ was in '07. LAX-AKL was a 777 and AKL-LAX was a 747, ZK-SUH, so by '07 they were using them on most of their routes. I believe they first took delivery of the 777-200 in late '05, so if it was before that it was probably the 744. Edit: Kind soul above just answered this, I probably should have read further, but now you know for sure

I also remember the worst flight of my life on an NZ 747, AKL-LAX through vicious turbulence for hours. It was the only time in my life I have ever even come close to vomiting on a plane, but after 6-7 hours straight of turbulence, that vomit bag was looking REALLY tempting. Happy to say I held most of it in. I remember looking at the flight map on the back of the seat and we made gradual S turns all the way up the pacific trying to avoid t-storms. Arrived about 90 minutes late into LAX and ran across the complex to catch another United flight across the US. Was the last one on board, throat parched, feeling sick as a dog, and immediately just fell asleep after being up for 24 hours due to the turbulent 747 flight. Woke up in Boston with the stiffest neck of my life.

I'm going to miss that big son-of-a-.....! One of the prettiest 747s flying.

JVPhoto

Funny because the only time I've felt nervous on a plane was the way back AKL-LAX as well. My Dad was sitting a row behind me and across the aisle and I thought well if Dad is sitting there fine being the small plane pilot I shouldn't sweat it. I remember looking back and him and seeing the expression on his face which didn't help calm my nerves.

sbiddle

I heard to names, just that it had been sold.

In terms of 744's NBV's 1998 production date is probably a lot newer than many that would be parked up.

Kiwi Flyer

IIRC 772s have been used on LAX route for the extra peak season flights (NZ3/4?) as well as some times when 747s were unavailable.

aircam

I flew on a 772 (ZK-OKE) on NZ2 AKL-LAX in 2006. I think that was the year AKL-HKG-LHR was launched with a 744, and AKL-LAX-LHR downgauged to 772.

My first NZ flight was on ZK-NBV from LHR-LAX in 2000. Like many I will miss the NZ 747 and regret not doing my own farewell flight.

NZguy

Just love the 747. As a child, I saw ads with an "upstairs" in the plane, and I knew I had made it when i finally got to ascend those stairs (to the old business class before Business Premiere).

HaaZe

It looks like ZK-NBV is on her way to LAX and onwards to her new existence right now as NZ6074

Trumpkin

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/ANZ6074