Kiwi Flyer
May 7, 06, 5:32 pm
Economy -> Business (fine print also refers to premium economy -> business premier on the relevant a/c)
Confirmed upgrades 50% off
Standby upgrades 25% off
Confirmed upgrades 50% off
Standby upgrades 25% off
Air New Zealand Air Points - Discounted upgrades to SYD/MEL/BNE/CNS book by 30 June for travel by 31 July 2006
Kiwi Flyer
May 9, 06, 12:30 am
The link (http://www.airnz.co.nz/airpoints/airpoints_news/default.htm) is now up on the website.
mad_atta
May 11, 06, 4:33 am
So, do I request an upgrade on my upcoming Thurs evening SYD-WLG flight, which will allow me to partake fully in the business class service experience, particularly the food and wine (always dear to my heart :) ) or the horrible Tuesday early morning WLG-SYD flight, which will allow me to take advantage of some additional space and recline to (hopefully) catch some more ZZZs before going straight to the office on arrival?
I really can't decide. I'm not sure that the A320 J seats are really all that much better for sleeping in, ie I suspect I'll go without sleep whether in J or Y, whereas I *know* I'd enjoy drinking all those wines SYD-WLG... but the early morning flight-then-work routine is so awful that anything that made it a bit more pleasant would be welcomed.
Opinions please! :)
I really can't decide. I'm not sure that the A320 J seats are really all that much better for sleeping in, ie I suspect I'll go without sleep whether in J or Y, whereas I *know* I'd enjoy drinking all those wines SYD-WLG... but the early morning flight-then-work routine is so awful that anything that made it a bit more pleasant would be welcomed.
Opinions please! :)
DCF
May 11, 06, 6:27 am
This year I've flown Trans-Tasman on both A320 and 747 aircraft.
I would choose every time to go via AKL to be sure of a 747 flight, because A320 Business / Premium Economy is basically in a hopeless seat. Yes, it's wide. But it barely reclines and has no IFE, just a portable DVD if rows 1 and 2 are called Business (and they won't even get the DVD out of the cupboard if rows 1 and 2 are sold as "Premium Economy").
(Incidentally, here in Australia where I'm currently working
1) a 747 Business Premier Trans-Tasman ticket is around $1600,
2) an A320 "Business" ticket in rows 1 and 2 (no AVOD, minimal recline) is also $1600,
3) an A320 "Premium Economy" in the same rows 1 and 2 is $1300 (no DVD or good food and wine), and
4) a 747 Premium Economy in narrower seats (but with more recline and IFE) costs the same $1300.
The 747 Business product is a clear winner. So much for the "Premium Economy will only cost 25% more than Economy" lie.)
I'm really beginning to lose faith in the A320s. I'm hoping that in about 2010-11 the domestic 737-300s (recent build, but horrible obsolete plane) will be discarded and the A320s will take over the AKL-WLG-CHC routes and come off the Tasman. And then extra 787s could be bought and flown Trans-Tasman.
But really. What was the airline thinking when it signed up for international aircraft on 3+ hour flights to be delivered in 2004 and 2005 with no IFE?
I would choose every time to go via AKL to be sure of a 747 flight, because A320 Business / Premium Economy is basically in a hopeless seat. Yes, it's wide. But it barely reclines and has no IFE, just a portable DVD if rows 1 and 2 are called Business (and they won't even get the DVD out of the cupboard if rows 1 and 2 are sold as "Premium Economy").
(Incidentally, here in Australia where I'm currently working
1) a 747 Business Premier Trans-Tasman ticket is around $1600,
2) an A320 "Business" ticket in rows 1 and 2 (no AVOD, minimal recline) is also $1600,
3) an A320 "Premium Economy" in the same rows 1 and 2 is $1300 (no DVD or good food and wine), and
4) a 747 Premium Economy in narrower seats (but with more recline and IFE) costs the same $1300.
The 747 Business product is a clear winner. So much for the "Premium Economy will only cost 25% more than Economy" lie.)
I'm really beginning to lose faith in the A320s. I'm hoping that in about 2010-11 the domestic 737-300s (recent build, but horrible obsolete plane) will be discarded and the A320s will take over the AKL-WLG-CHC routes and come off the Tasman. And then extra 787s could be bought and flown Trans-Tasman.
But really. What was the airline thinking when it signed up for international aircraft on 3+ hour flights to be delivered in 2004 and 2005 with no IFE?
Kiwi Flyer
May 11, 06, 1:48 pm
So, do I request an upgrade on my upcoming Thurs evening SYD-WLG flight, which will allow me to partake fully in the business class service experience, particularly the food and wine (always dear to my heart :) ) or the horrible Tuesday early morning WLG-SYD flight, which will allow me to take advantage of some additional space and recline to (hopefully) catch some more ZZZs before going straight to the office on arrival?
I really can't decide. I'm not sure that the A320 J seats are really all that much better for sleeping in, ie I suspect I'll go without sleep whether in J or Y, whereas I *know* I'd enjoy drinking all those wines SYD-WLG... but the early morning flight-then-work routine is so awful that anything that made it a bit more pleasant would be welcomed.
Opinions please! :)
Agree - on the A320 I dont think it makes much difference for sleeping between business and economy. I'd probably go for the evening upgrade.
I really can't decide. I'm not sure that the A320 J seats are really all that much better for sleeping in, ie I suspect I'll go without sleep whether in J or Y, whereas I *know* I'd enjoy drinking all those wines SYD-WLG... but the early morning flight-then-work routine is so awful that anything that made it a bit more pleasant would be welcomed.
Opinions please! :)
Agree - on the A320 I dont think it makes much difference for sleeping between business and economy. I'd probably go for the evening upgrade.