SFO_FT
Nov 2, 05, 11:46 pm
Flew LAX-AKL-SFO last week in C on the newly, reconfig 747s. Maybe my expectations were too high, but found the entire experience a bit of a let-down.
The seats were fine in the flat mode (although I could swear that when lying flat, one's head is actually lower than one's feet), but not so good in upright (armrests are very narrow, worse than those in Y) and not so good in recline (seat doesn't tilt back very much), making it difficult to relax and watch videos. IFE not turned on until >1 hour into flight -- why can't they at least provide the Airshow during takeoff/landing, or at least immed after/before???? On both flights, they had to keep setting/resetting the system.
IFE is OK, but bloody frustrating to navigate. Screen was already starting to fall apart. Controller unit holder (the little tray that holds it) was broken on the return flight.
The meals were the biggest frustration. No pre-dinner cocktail service (ex-LAX, given the 1130pm departure time, I can understand not doing this, but for an 8pm departure from AKL, there's plenty of time). The tiny appetizer (both ways) consisted of the same item: three cooked shrimps on some shredded greens with oil (mixed with a single drop of vinegar) to pour on top. No second course, but straight into the main (served in a tiny bowl ... portion size equivalent to what would be offered in Y). Small desert was fine and the little wedges of cheese/grapes were fine. The wines were great!!
Cutlery is similar to what one normally finds in an economy class -- very thin metal and tiny tines (sharp part of a fork). Knives are the cheapest possible variety (very flimsy plastic).
Was on the upper deck both directions, so maybe the service is better on the main deck. Inflight snacks consisted of granola bars and some fruit. Noticed the FAs had laid out some bottles of Perrier and the granola bars/fruit in the Prem Econ snack bar area. On both flights, C class got nothing laid out in the C snack bar area.
Catering forgot to cater sleep shades or slippers for the AKL-SFO flight. There's no excuse for that!
The crews were fine, but all in all, I'll take the new QF Skybed and meal services any day! The new NZ C product shouted out "cheap". For a US$7,000 roundtrip, it is a real disappointment.
The seats were fine in the flat mode (although I could swear that when lying flat, one's head is actually lower than one's feet), but not so good in upright (armrests are very narrow, worse than those in Y) and not so good in recline (seat doesn't tilt back very much), making it difficult to relax and watch videos. IFE not turned on until >1 hour into flight -- why can't they at least provide the Airshow during takeoff/landing, or at least immed after/before???? On both flights, they had to keep setting/resetting the system.
IFE is OK, but bloody frustrating to navigate. Screen was already starting to fall apart. Controller unit holder (the little tray that holds it) was broken on the return flight.
The meals were the biggest frustration. No pre-dinner cocktail service (ex-LAX, given the 1130pm departure time, I can understand not doing this, but for an 8pm departure from AKL, there's plenty of time). The tiny appetizer (both ways) consisted of the same item: three cooked shrimps on some shredded greens with oil (mixed with a single drop of vinegar) to pour on top. No second course, but straight into the main (served in a tiny bowl ... portion size equivalent to what would be offered in Y). Small desert was fine and the little wedges of cheese/grapes were fine. The wines were great!!
Cutlery is similar to what one normally finds in an economy class -- very thin metal and tiny tines (sharp part of a fork). Knives are the cheapest possible variety (very flimsy plastic).
Was on the upper deck both directions, so maybe the service is better on the main deck. Inflight snacks consisted of granola bars and some fruit. Noticed the FAs had laid out some bottles of Perrier and the granola bars/fruit in the Prem Econ snack bar area. On both flights, C class got nothing laid out in the C snack bar area.
Catering forgot to cater sleep shades or slippers for the AKL-SFO flight. There's no excuse for that!
The crews were fine, but all in all, I'll take the new QF Skybed and meal services any day! The new NZ C product shouted out "cheap". For a US$7,000 roundtrip, it is a real disappointment.