IAH or LAX to AKL - Any preference ?
Feb 17, 2017, 4:43 am
#16
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: Air New Zealand Elite
Posts: 446
I just went WLG-IAH return in premium. The flight to the US was about 65-70% full in economy and 50% full in premium. Many people in the sky couches were occupying them alone. I was wondering whether they had paid for them or the crew had just put them up for them. Coming back from Houston the plane was full. I didn't get an aisle seat in premium. To be honest I think an aisle seat in economy would have been more comfortable. The man in the aisle seat didn't move for about 7 hours. I found the flight at 14 hours too long for an over night flight. I won't do that flight again. I'd rather fly out of LAX on the shorter flight.
Feb 17, 2017, 2:06 pm
#17
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: AKL
Programs: NZ Silver
Posts: 1,817
What snack do they offer in PE in between meals, the same as economy?
Feb 17, 2017, 2:43 pm
#18
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: Air New Zealand Elite
Posts: 446
Agree with you on the American cuisine - after 2 weeks of it you're just hanging out for something green or some bread that doesn't have a sweet taste to it...
Also I'm sure the long flight from Houston would have been much more bearable in an aisle seat.
From memory the premium snack is just some dry, uninspired snacks in a packet like peanuts and pretzels. I'd advise you to get some snacks you like at the airport for the flight.
Also I'm sure the long flight from Houston would have been much more bearable in an aisle seat.
From memory the premium snack is just some dry, uninspired snacks in a packet like peanuts and pretzels. I'd advise you to get some snacks you like at the airport for the flight.
Last edited by Ellice; Feb 17, 2017 at 2:44 pm Reason: Spelling mistakes
Feb 17, 2017, 6:15 pm
#19
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,115
I fly IAH to AKL on Sunday in PE. I've only flown AKL to IAH before so it'll be the longest flight I've ever flown.
As a frequent PE pax I too am a little annoyed they don't have a proper snack. There isn't even fruit now in PE.
As a frequent PE pax I too am a little annoyed they don't have a proper snack. There isn't even fruit now in PE.
Feb 17, 2017, 6:28 pm
#20
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: Air New Zealand Elite
Posts: 446
I'm sure it will be fine if you have an aisle seat but absolute torture if you have an inside seat in the middle seats block. I wish I had kept my row 59 economy seat as it looked more comfortable on the aisle when I walked down there.(but my upgrade had come through so I took it not realising how bad an inside seat is even in premium). Also towards the back people had an empty seat here and there next to them. Is there anyway you can see how full the flight is?
Feb 17, 2017, 9:07 pm
#21
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: AKL
Programs: NZ Silver
Posts: 1,817
My understanding is that PE has the same catering as J? So, I thought the snack would be the same too.
Feb 17, 2017, 9:37 pm
#22
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,115
Liquor has also been cut back. I asked for a Glenmorangie on my way to LAX and was told it's no longer available in PE. F/A gave me one and told me it's because I'm an Elite and asked nicely.
Feb 18, 2017, 12:09 am
#23
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 778
Nope. PE catering and dining has been cut back. Meals are still similar with fewer options, but there is no snack like the bacon roll that you can still get in BP.
Liquor has also been cut back. I asked for a Glenmorangie on my way to LAX and was told it's no longer available in PE. F/A gave me one and told me it's because I'm an Elite and asked nicely.
Liquor has also been cut back. I asked for a Glenmorangie on my way to LAX and was told it's no longer available in PE. F/A gave me one and told me it's because I'm an Elite and asked nicely.
Last edited by codyc1515; Feb 20, 2017 at 2:30 am
Feb 18, 2017, 12:59 am
#24
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: NZ *E
Posts: 41
I suspect it's an undocumented perk of having good manners, which are available to everyone. They've certainly worked for me as a silver and gold.
Feb 20, 2017, 6:47 am
#25
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: HHonors Silver, AC Altitude 35K, AAdvantage, SkyMiles, Bonvoy Silver and a few more
Posts: 565
AKL-IAH
How was your AKL-IAH flight? Doing the same in May. Sitting in Y, hoping to get into PE. Was the flight very full?
Feb 20, 2017, 11:22 am
#26
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,115
Great flight with awesome crew. Haven't even had an Elite welcome on my last 2 long haul flights. FSM actually greeted all PE pax after she'd done BP. I flew in PE which had a couple of seats free, judging my the gate I suspect economy had quite a few.
Priority boarding was an absolute disaster.
Priority boarding was an absolute disaster.
Feb 20, 2017, 2:00 pm
#27
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 75
The distinction is between Y and PE. BP has no relevance. And I assume you'll refuse the undocumented perks if you ever reach Elite? Quite right too.