Air New Zealand Air Points - Premium Economy - booking problems... possibly already discussed

Hi all

Apologies if this has already been discussed elsewhere but I thought it worth mentioning that I was having great difficulty trying to book a premium economy ticket ex Australia to LAX for April next year.

Kept getting 'no qualifying flights' up on the air nz booking page. So I tried a range of dates starting from October, every month through to April. Still the same deal, even tried ex AKL only as no premium ex Australia.

Still no luck. Anyways rang Air NZ this morning to be told that there is a strike at Boeing, so they can't guarantee when their new planes will be delivered and so can't book premium economy at the moment.

I presume the res agent was talking about the B777 - not the B747 that they already have and would be on the LAX flights?

I then asked about fares, and was told the cheapest was AUD2699 plus AUD280 tax. Now I know I can get about $100 off by going through a good agent, maybe a tad more, but isn't this a rather expensive fare? Ok compared to QF when it is selling its 'regular' Y fares to LAX for around AUD2300, but these are usually way discounted to somewhere from $1500 upwards (plus tax). If there are two of us travelling, I'm seriously considering buying three QF seats and saving money.

Just my thoughts, and wondering if anyone has any news on what the premium eco fare might go down to during a sale?

Regards
WG

Just my thoughts, and wondering if anyone has any news on what the premium eco fare might go down to during a sale?With demand for U class being as it is - I would not expect a sale for that class.

Pacific Premium Economy is more than just a larger seat - it's in a well appointed cabin, comes with premium check-in and better service. I daresay better than 3 standard coach seats on QF.

I purchased Premium Economy tickets through to San Francisco last month but used Confirmed Upgrades to fly in Business Premier.

Premium Economy is a step up from Economy but is far short of being a Business Class product.

The thing is, though, that when Air NZ claims it is "25% more expensive than economy" they mean 25% more than a full economy ticket, which is actually around double the cost a discounted Economy seat.

Sydney to LAX typically starts at around $1600 for discounted Economy, but Premium Economy is between $2699 and $2999 according to season.

LHR to Auckland is typically between £700 and £905 in discounted Economy: it comes in at £1400 low season in Premium Economy, and even the "secret" discounted fare sheets never have a rate below £1300.