Air New Zealand Air Points - Seat Map?

Hi all. I'm flying to New Zealand in January in First Class from LAX (redeemed some UA points)to attend a friend's wedding/visit part of New Zealand.

Can't find a seat map on seatgurug.com or on the Air New Zealand site. I've heard some on this forum say row 2 is better, some row 3, and row 1 is usually for babies, or possibly for babies. Thought I'd look at a map to decide between 2 or 3, but can't find one.

I'm a bit bummed that ANZ doesn't have first suites yet (I really do like the UA suite), but will take your word for it in the other threads that ANZ first seat is comfy, and I'm looking forward to the famed ANZ service.

So - row 2 or 3, & reasons why? I'll be traveling by myself, so don't necessarily need a seat near a companion for talking purposes.

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Sharon

Hi Ski,

Hope you enjoy the flight http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

You can find the seatmap by visiting http://www.airnz.com/travelinfo/ontheplane/seating/boeing_747_400.htm

I'll leave recommending a specific row to people actually experienced in P class http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif



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All my posts are my own personal opinions and experiences and in no way represent the opinon of my employer.

I like using:

http://www.travelgalileo.com

Choose a travel agent and put in your filght details and there is a link on there to choose your seat, you can then have a sticky beak at all the remaining seats available. Note - some may be blocked out (grey and unclickable) for elites.

I've heard from a little bird that a block can be put on the seat next to you to stop someone being seated next to you if the jet isn't too busy....... but NZ cabin staff are generally very nice and if they spot you are sitting with someone and there are two seats available somewhere else they'll ask you if you want to move.

[This message has been edited by kawoh (edited 06-09-2003).]

SkiAdcock,

Yes NZ will put a block in for you if it is not too busy and the cabin crew do an excellent job of working out the cabin in case the front office have not got it quite right.

Just ask how the loading is at checkin and see what they can do. And if not a quiet word to the FAs should ave you set.

I would go for an aisle seat then use the window as work or junk area, it is a little easier for the FAs, they do not have to reach as far. Or some people use one as a chair and the other as a bed, so whatever works for you!

First thing is that NZ have 12 seats in F while most other airlines have 14-16 seats. While not beds you get a football pitch worth of space.

So no seat is poor for legroom etc or from the seat in front coming down too close.

I prefer to avoid Row 1, due to the chance of a baby and also it tends to be popular.

Row 2 is in the middle of the cabin and quite quiet and nice.

Personally I prefer Row 3, as there is the main drinks area blocking anyone from seeing you and making it quite cosy. Although some have suggested that there is a little too much noise from behind and people coming and going.

Any seat will be a great seat, and it is not the end of the world if you need to share. I once had a great flight from LHR/AKL sitting next to the very attractive Princess of a certain country ( http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif) - so now I can thruthfully say I have slept with a princess! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Mark

A little off topic, but soem of you mention that there may be babies in row 1 and for some reason I thought babies weren't allowed in First and Business class on Air NZ. Not sure why I thought that, but presumably this is incorrect?

kiwibigdave, this is completely incorrect!

Air NZ doesn't discriminate against infants or children in any class, and I have never heard of any airline that does!

I must admit it did seem strange, and I wasn't thinking discrimination, rather that maybe the airlines wanted to look after those who forked out the money to fly the better classes by ensuring they wouldn't have a crying baby nearby.

But thanks anyway - now I know the real answer!

Thanks for all the input! I was working under the assumption there probably wasn't a bad seat. I'll take a look at the map but probably go row 2, as galley noise does keep me awake sometimes. I usually prefer aisle seats just so I don't have to move over someone at bathroom time, etc.

I don't think any airline discriminates against babies or children - $$ is $$ after all. I was on an Air France flight one time in First, and a woman was there w/ her brood of brats (they were; most children aren't). All the passengers complained, not so much about children but that she was letting them run around the cabin bothering passengers. I was woken by one who kept poking me in the shoulder to find out if I was really asleep! The flight attendants said there was nothing they could do since the woman had paid first fare for all, but we reminded them that they could enforce decorum, etc.

I think the UA agent thought I was a bit nuts yest when I kept saying yes, yippee, when she said the flights were available in first for award. I'm really looking forward to seeing New Zealand. Spent too much time on FT yest reading all the New Zealand threads for things to do/places to go, etc.

ps - what's a "sticky beak"?

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Sharon

[This message has been edited by SkiAdcock (edited 06-09-2003).]

A 'sticky beak' is slang for someone who is particularly nosey - always wanting to know what you're up to or wanting to interfere in what you're doing.


You're welcome ;-)

Woops - hit submit too soon.

Anyway, I've never heard sticky beak used to refer to "having a look", as the context above seems to infer, but there you go . . .

:-)

Thanks for the explanation of 'sticky beak' - I'll add it to my vocabulary!

2B is my seat in both directions.

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Sharon

I'm supremely jealous! How DO people afford to fly NZ first class? (or any airline for that matter?). I did a search on the website, and one-way is like NZ$9000! I'd be divorced if I shelled out that kind of cash for a flight.

Just say some people earn more money then time to pick up a $5 note. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by DavidNZ:
I'm supremely jealous! How DO people afford to fly NZ first class? (or any airline for that matter?). I did a search on the website, and one-way is like NZ$9000! I'd be divorced if I shelled out that kind of cash for a flight.</font>



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QF Silver Status. Yar baby yar.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by DavidNZ:
I'm supremely jealous! How DO people afford to fly NZ first class? (or any airline for that matter?). I did a search on the website, and one-way is like NZ$9000! I'd be divorced if I shelled out that kind of cash for a flight.</font>

By the sound of it, SkiAdcock is shelling out UA Mileage Plus miles - rather easier to part with than NZ$9000!

Departing the UK you can often find A fares (discounted first) to AKL for around 3400 pounds return - still not cheap, but alot better than NZ$9000 one way (ouch). AirNZ also have a business class special on LHR-LAX return at the moment for GBP1599 which could be upgraded with points... but of course not much good if you want to get to AKL.

Cheers, Zac

Sharon,

I am sure you will enjoy the NZ Premium F-class service and the country. I cashed in my UA miles as well and flew LAX-SYD (UA/F), SYD-AKL (NZ/J), and AKL-LAX (NZ/P) in Apr-May. My whole itinerary would've cost me US$12,000+ if I was actually paying. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I have to admit their summer (Nov-Feb) is the best time to visit - as a former temporary resident!

By the way, NZ has 1 a/c which has sleeper seats in F. I am sure airnzboy is happy to check for you when your flight day gets very close. If you are lucky, you might get that particular bird. I did not, but my 2J seat was still comfy enough and the service (incl. the food and booze selection) was simply excellent! I also loved the amenities.

It was unfortunate that they don't serve my favorite L&P on the plane... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by FlyMan (edited 06-12-2003).]

Wow - that would be cool if my flight had the sleeper seats. i'll check w/ airnzboy as the flight time gets closer. would make a trip i'm already looking forward to even better, but even if it doesn't, will still be a fab trip.

yup - i used u.a. miles, not $$, to get the first class seat. being self-employed consultant w/ small biz clients, no way i could book first w/ dinero (heck, at that time of year econ isn't cheap either). thank goodness for the *alliance. and this isn't a biz trip anyway; just attending a friend's wedding & seeing a bit of new zealand.

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Sharon

Hmmm...I've got 103,000 AP miles festering, but using them would mean I wouldn't be earning. I have to tread careful on this.

I normally do two or three trips to YYZ a year, but if one year I end up doing only two, and one of those is a points burn, my *A status is kaplooey for the next year.

I think what I will do is gift them to my wife.