Air New Zealand Air Points - Air NZ J Class LAX-Fiji

I'm not much of a frequent flyer, but I'm currently planning my honeymoon from LAX - NAN on Air NZ. Is it worth the extra expense for J class? It'll be on 767-300ER and will not have the new long-haul upgrades.

Price: $3430 from airnz.com. Does anyone know of better deals? Thanks!

I think Air Pacific has cheaper business class seats but I don't know anything about the airline. I did LAX-NAN on Air NZ but was in economy—it wasn't horrible. I can't recall what the biz class looked like.

d e l e t e d

Thanks for the replies.

We've looked into Air Pacific. Unfortunately, there is no service on our departure date. We're travelling from LAX - NAN for 10 nights, (Mon) 4/24 - (Sat) 5/6.

We would very much enjoy the extra comfort given the long flight duration, but I'm not sure what would be a good price. I think $2000 - $2500 would be my price range. Not sure if that's unrealistic.

We would very much enjoy the extra comfort given the long flight duration, but I'm not sure what would be a good price. I think $2000 - $2500 would be my price range. Not sure if that's unrealistic.

The NZ fare you quoted is lower that what is displaying on Expert Flyer. The only other option you have to find a consolidator who sells premium class tickets at a discount.

Another alternative is the Star Alliance Circle Pacific fare. But to make that pay off you'd need to include visits to Oz and NZ.

Another alternative is the AmEx Plat 2-4-1 deal (if you have the card) two can fly LAX-NAN for US$4860 (without taxes) return in Business Class. It books into the C bucket so plenty of availability.

Hi there, I think the old air nz business class service is much better.
Air pacific is good but they run on island time.
Because they new product is out on the jumbos i have heard that there
has been too many complaints about the crew been too nice and interupting them while watching a movie. so have cut the service back abit.


Thanks for the replies.

We've looked into Air Pacific. Unfortunately, there is no service on our departure date. We're travelling from LAX - NAN for 10 nights, (Mon) 4/24 - (Sat) 5/6.

We would very much enjoy the extra comfort given the long flight duration, but I'm not sure what would be a good price. I think $2000 - $2500 would be my price range. Not sure if that's unrealistic.

If you do find a price you're happy with then I would say go for it (it is your honeymoon after all, time to treat yourself :D). The J product on the 767s is slighty worn but the seats are comfortable and the service, food and wine is of course excellent. I've actually done that flight dozens of times, I'd say the main reasons for going J are:

- Y class on the 767s is slightly cramped - 32" vs. the 34" on the 744s
- both flights are night flights - if you can sleep on the way over then you get much more out of your first day (flight arrives 3am, so you'll be at your resort for sunrise)
- the LAX lounge has been upgraded and is very nice (NAN lounge isn't anything special though unfortunately), being J you jump the queues at LAX
- the queue for security and Y check-in at NAN can be quite long - you can usually jump the security queue in NAN if in J, and J check-in is usually quick
- obviously a big difference in onboard service

Enjoy your honeymoon :)

Cheers, Zac

To give you an idea of the seat comfort, it's very similar to UA's business class before they added another 5" of pitch a few years ago. Sure, there are much better business class seats out there but they are still decent. Factor in NZ's reliably good food, service and now refitted lounge in LAX and it's still a good package.

Having said that, you can do plenty on the ground with the money you'd save flying Y - given that they are not particularly long flights.