taupo
Apr 7, 05, 12:13 pm
I recently completed a round trip on NZ.
Mar 23 NZ07 SFO-AKL in F
Apr 04 NZ02 AKL-LAX in F
Rather than writing a long winded trip report, I thought I would write it in bullet form.
UA FC SFO lounge is nice. Comfortable seating, very quiet, good food and booze selection, clean bathrooms. All the important stuff.
Upon boarding, was greeted by Tom, one of the two FC FAs. I flew with Tom last Feb, we instantly recognised each other. Tom is one of NZ's greatest assets IMO. We settled into 3AB, seating area was clean, Tom ensured we had everything we needed. His colleague, didn't ger her name, came around with the amenity kits, she was holding two, went to hand them to us, (us being my 2 and a half year old and myself), gave one to me, but would not give one to my child. I guess a two year old in her own seat does not warrant a kit, I was not given the option. She played with mine, amused her for a longtime. This female FA did a fine job of ignoring us for the entire flight.
FC cabin was full.
Had crab cakes, lobster bisque and tenderloin for dinner, yummy.
Purser came around to greet the FC passengers, acknowledged my *G status and thanked me for being a loyal customer. I took peek at the F manifest in the galley, I was the only *G.
Daughter had a good sleep (10 hours), I slept for 6. I like those old seats. I propped my roll on under the foot rest, stuck a spare pillow on top of the foot rest, fully reclined the seat, ear plugs in, Bose NR's on, ahhhh. Comfort.
Only mild chop on the flight, no real turbulence.
Arrived in AKL on time at 4:15am, we were first off the plane, deplaned through 1L, used the family lane in Immigration (nice touch having that lane), only had carry on, so straight to Customs, declared some food, Customs was disinterested in it.
Walked over to Domestic, nice warm breeze, very refeshing after the long flight. Dom was closed :eek: . We walked around more, looked at planes,likely had CCTVs watching all our movements, we walked all over the place, returned to the terminal at 5:30ish, still closed, .... Many people milling about, wondering what is going on. By this time, 2 NZ 747s have arrived and disgourged, I find it incomprehensible that NZ would not have their Dom terminal open for their connecting pax :td:
The return.
Checked a bag from TUO, did not have to reclaim it is AKL, it was not x-rayed in TUO, hopefully it was in AKL, but I somehow doubt it.
Walked over to Intl, went to BC/FC ckin area to get through the security/exigration maze. No queues, sailed through.
NZ FC lounge was stocked with some tasty treats.
Lounge agent announces that the flight will be leaving at 11pm instead of 9:45. I am now concerned as I have a 2 hour 20 min connection time based on the original sched. I approach the agent, show her my itin, she tells me to not worry as they will make up time in flight, I am still slightly concerned, but take her advice.
Go through the secondary screening later on, we do not attempt to board with other FC/BC/Pax with kids, just take our time. Not one, but two NZ agents see me with a young 'un, come over to tell me to jump the queue and board right away, a very nice touch, but I waited my turn in line.
On boarding, my daughter haned the BPs to the Purser, he looked at them, and with a sneer directed us to the left. Settled into 3AB again, met by a very affable FA by the name of Paul. He and his colleague whose name I missed were excellent, a big thank you to both.
Had the taster for an appetiser followed by the lamb, both were mediocre at best.
Daughter slept a lot, I tossed and turned all night, concerned about the connection.
Purser came around at the start of the flight with the US Customs and Immigration forms. He addressed all the FC pax by name. He came to us last, I was looking at him with a friendly smile knowing we were next. He looked at me and said "yes" in a condescending inquisitive tone, I explained I only need a Customs form, he handed to me without a word.
For breakfast, I had the omellete, I should know better than to have egg on a plane, it was not good.
Several announcements were made regarding the continuation of NZ 2 and at what time it would depart LAX, their was never a mention of any other connections. On board, I asked if any arrangments would be made for other connections, I was told to speak to a ground agent. AC makes this arrangements for you, while you are in the air. My connection was on UA and part of the same ticket.
Paul assisted us off the plane, deplaning was through 2L, again thank you Paul. To give the snooty Purser the benefit if the doubt, I thanked him as I deplaned, only to be completely snubbed, at which time I briefly thought his stuck up nose could use some re-arranging, then thought better of it.
Ran to the INS hall, only waited for 5 min, went to the baggage belt, grr ckin bags, only waited 10 min for the bag, about tenth off. Raced through Cutoms, asked a NZ agent if could make my connection, was told yes, put my bag on the belt for connecting bags, kept the trolley, put carry on bags and daughter on the trolley and ran, I mean ran to T7 where UA departs from, through security, to the gate, to watch the jet bridge pull away from the plane. The UA agent came out of the jet bridge, asked if I was Mr H, told him I was, he aplogised profusely, I thanked him, said apologies are not needed from him.
Proceeded to RCC, conciege was most helpful, booked me on an AC flight to YVR, so back to T2.
In summation, NZ was OK and only OK, seats and cabin is nice, FAs' are generally excellent, Purser leaves a lot to be desired, NZ's complete lack of concern for connecting pax is inexcusable IMO. Incidentally, their were 8 other NZ 2 pax who were supposed to be on my UA flight. NZ leave it's pax to fend for themselves. Domestic terminal closed after 2 intl flights have arrived is poor. Food was good one way, bad the other.
I hope the overall service improves greatly with new cabins, however, I am doubtful that the attitudes of some of the staff with change.
Mar 23 NZ07 SFO-AKL in F
Apr 04 NZ02 AKL-LAX in F
Rather than writing a long winded trip report, I thought I would write it in bullet form.
UA FC SFO lounge is nice. Comfortable seating, very quiet, good food and booze selection, clean bathrooms. All the important stuff.
Upon boarding, was greeted by Tom, one of the two FC FAs. I flew with Tom last Feb, we instantly recognised each other. Tom is one of NZ's greatest assets IMO. We settled into 3AB, seating area was clean, Tom ensured we had everything we needed. His colleague, didn't ger her name, came around with the amenity kits, she was holding two, went to hand them to us, (us being my 2 and a half year old and myself), gave one to me, but would not give one to my child. I guess a two year old in her own seat does not warrant a kit, I was not given the option. She played with mine, amused her for a longtime. This female FA did a fine job of ignoring us for the entire flight.
FC cabin was full.
Had crab cakes, lobster bisque and tenderloin for dinner, yummy.
Purser came around to greet the FC passengers, acknowledged my *G status and thanked me for being a loyal customer. I took peek at the F manifest in the galley, I was the only *G.
Daughter had a good sleep (10 hours), I slept for 6. I like those old seats. I propped my roll on under the foot rest, stuck a spare pillow on top of the foot rest, fully reclined the seat, ear plugs in, Bose NR's on, ahhhh. Comfort.
Only mild chop on the flight, no real turbulence.
Arrived in AKL on time at 4:15am, we were first off the plane, deplaned through 1L, used the family lane in Immigration (nice touch having that lane), only had carry on, so straight to Customs, declared some food, Customs was disinterested in it.
Walked over to Domestic, nice warm breeze, very refeshing after the long flight. Dom was closed :eek: . We walked around more, looked at planes,likely had CCTVs watching all our movements, we walked all over the place, returned to the terminal at 5:30ish, still closed, .... Many people milling about, wondering what is going on. By this time, 2 NZ 747s have arrived and disgourged, I find it incomprehensible that NZ would not have their Dom terminal open for their connecting pax :td:
The return.
Checked a bag from TUO, did not have to reclaim it is AKL, it was not x-rayed in TUO, hopefully it was in AKL, but I somehow doubt it.
Walked over to Intl, went to BC/FC ckin area to get through the security/exigration maze. No queues, sailed through.
NZ FC lounge was stocked with some tasty treats.
Lounge agent announces that the flight will be leaving at 11pm instead of 9:45. I am now concerned as I have a 2 hour 20 min connection time based on the original sched. I approach the agent, show her my itin, she tells me to not worry as they will make up time in flight, I am still slightly concerned, but take her advice.
Go through the secondary screening later on, we do not attempt to board with other FC/BC/Pax with kids, just take our time. Not one, but two NZ agents see me with a young 'un, come over to tell me to jump the queue and board right away, a very nice touch, but I waited my turn in line.
On boarding, my daughter haned the BPs to the Purser, he looked at them, and with a sneer directed us to the left. Settled into 3AB again, met by a very affable FA by the name of Paul. He and his colleague whose name I missed were excellent, a big thank you to both.
Had the taster for an appetiser followed by the lamb, both were mediocre at best.
Daughter slept a lot, I tossed and turned all night, concerned about the connection.
Purser came around at the start of the flight with the US Customs and Immigration forms. He addressed all the FC pax by name. He came to us last, I was looking at him with a friendly smile knowing we were next. He looked at me and said "yes" in a condescending inquisitive tone, I explained I only need a Customs form, he handed to me without a word.
For breakfast, I had the omellete, I should know better than to have egg on a plane, it was not good.
Several announcements were made regarding the continuation of NZ 2 and at what time it would depart LAX, their was never a mention of any other connections. On board, I asked if any arrangments would be made for other connections, I was told to speak to a ground agent. AC makes this arrangements for you, while you are in the air. My connection was on UA and part of the same ticket.
Paul assisted us off the plane, deplaning was through 2L, again thank you Paul. To give the snooty Purser the benefit if the doubt, I thanked him as I deplaned, only to be completely snubbed, at which time I briefly thought his stuck up nose could use some re-arranging, then thought better of it.
Ran to the INS hall, only waited for 5 min, went to the baggage belt, grr ckin bags, only waited 10 min for the bag, about tenth off. Raced through Cutoms, asked a NZ agent if could make my connection, was told yes, put my bag on the belt for connecting bags, kept the trolley, put carry on bags and daughter on the trolley and ran, I mean ran to T7 where UA departs from, through security, to the gate, to watch the jet bridge pull away from the plane. The UA agent came out of the jet bridge, asked if I was Mr H, told him I was, he aplogised profusely, I thanked him, said apologies are not needed from him.
Proceeded to RCC, conciege was most helpful, booked me on an AC flight to YVR, so back to T2.
In summation, NZ was OK and only OK, seats and cabin is nice, FAs' are generally excellent, Purser leaves a lot to be desired, NZ's complete lack of concern for connecting pax is inexcusable IMO. Incidentally, their were 8 other NZ 2 pax who were supposed to be on my UA flight. NZ leave it's pax to fend for themselves. Domestic terminal closed after 2 intl flights have arrived is poor. Food was good one way, bad the other.
I hope the overall service improves greatly with new cabins, however, I am doubtful that the attitudes of some of the staff with change.