Air New Zealand Air Points - Getting the NZ HKG-AKL-HKG business award ticket harder and harder?

It used to be very easy to get the business class award ticket HKG-AKL-HKG as long as you booked it long enough in advance, but it seems now even though I try to book for the flights for almost a year later, it just doesn't show any availability for business at all! Does anyone know what happen? Any other tricks to get the C award ticket nowadays?

It has gotten tougher lately to find availability on the direct AKL-HKG, even within the three months that they often release some more seats. I'm guessing its due to the fact the aircraft on the route has been downsized to one with fewer business seats.

If you really like NZ for the long-haul segment, how about trying AKL-PVG-HKG? Easy to find available business class seats on the PVG flights but a little less easy changing between NZ-FM at Shanghai.

Or how about AKL-Japan-HKG? NH is a good airline, and transfers aren't too bad at NRT or KIX.

If you love flying, AKL-SYD-ICN-HKG is a bit time-consuming - but often good business availability on OZ.

What has happened is the a/c has been downsized and HKG-LHR is not daily. Thus on days when HKG-LHR runs there is more demand on the AKL-HKG sector than would otherwise be the case.

I have just flown from AKL-HKG Bus class, it was packed! looking at my return flight it is also full except one seat for tomorrow, think it is due to being a smaller plane 777, used to be the 747, but you would think they would offer the size of plane depending on the seat sales and one would assume if they can sell more business seats or keep frequent flyers happier with their upgrades they would do so:), just a thought?

I have just flown from AKL-HKG Bus class, it was packed! looking at my return flight it is also full except one seat for tomorrow, think it is due to being a smaller plane 777, used to be the 747, but you would think they would offer the size of plane depending on the seat sales and one would assume if they can sell more business seats or keep frequent flyers happier with their upgrades they would do so:), just a thought?

Because the next size up is the 744 which of course is a dog to run compared to the 772ERs.