Air New Zealand Air Points - LAX-LHR always sold out in C

I fly to London a half dozen times a year and prefer NZ in paid C. Since NZ downgauged this flight to a 777 last year, I am never able to get a C/D/Z seat on both the outbound & return unless booking many weeks ahead. So, I end up giving $5-7K to VS instead (and not earning *Alliance status miles). Why not return the 744 year-round on this route? (I do know there is seasonal 744 service).

I agree. It would make sense to swap NZ2 and NZ6 around - as continuing the 747 to London only requires one extra aircraft to cover it.

However in general the problem goes much further - there are not enough Business seats on either the 777 (for example AKLSFO and when used on AKLLAXLHR) and the 747 (for example AKLHKG).

However in general the problem goes much further - there are not enough Business seats on either the 777 (for example AKLSFO and when used on AKLLAXLHR) and the 747 (for example AKLHKG).

Yup. Very annoying it is too.

The main reason the 777 was introduced onto NZ2/1 was fuel costs - it was done when fuel costs were through the roof and there was no sign of any impending reduction.

Now that fuel has fallen to a slightly more manageable level, it appears the 744 may be staying on NZ2/1 and NZ38/39 permanently, especially with the addition of more Premium Economy seats. The 777 I believe was always intended to have smaller Business Premier capacity and mainly to be used on slightly lower-yielding routes (ie Japan, SF, soon YVR, etc.)

And probably to squeeze in more seats...

NZ's famed 'spacious' economy seating layout pitch of 34" on their 744s are only 32" on their 772ERs!

Thanks for the confirmation about more Prem Economy seats, I started a thread on it but didnt get a definate reply :)

Even so Air NZ could have been yielding more from their flights if they had installed more premium seats (60 on their 747s wouldn't go a miss). Of course on the flipside it probably results in better service that they didn't as based on current experiences they wouldn't have put more F/As onboard too.

Also do we take that to mean the SFO flight will remain a 777?

I agree. It would make sense to swap NZ2 and NZ6 around - as continuing the 747 to London only requires one extra aircraft to cover it.

NZ1/2 is scheduled to switch back to 744 indefinitely from June 2. 5/6 switch to 772s with 744s during the peak summer period.

NZ1/2 is scheduled to switch back to 744 indefinitely from June 2. 5/6 switch to 772s with 744s during the peak summer period.That is still over two months away! My point was it would have made more sense at the time to downgauge 5/6 instead of 1/2; or to perform that switch as soon as demand increased enough on that route to outweigh fuel costs and to thus warrant a 747.

From 1 April, Air NZ have pushed up their NZ to Europe fares in premium classes. In Business Premier they have bumped each fare down a fare class and introduced a new C fare. The current ZEU1Y fare of $8619 is now the JEU1Y fare. The current DEU1Y fare of $9619 is now the ZEU1Y fare. The current CEU1Y fare of $10,719 is now the DEU1Y fare, and CEU1Y fare now is $11,719. Waitlist is now permitted in D class.

In Pacific Prem the OEU1Y fare of $3729 is now $4499. EEU1Y is up from $4329 to $5199, and UEU1Y is up from $4899 to $5999.

To avoid the new fares any existing bookings should be ticketed in accordance with fare rule ticketing deadlines but no later than 21 April 2007.

Ouch. Wonder what it will do to loads, the competition is much cheaper.

Any idea about prices for MEL-LAX in Y+ and C ? :)

I cannot book my AMEX deal until the new fares are released on the 1st of April :( But may stick with Y+ and book now instead :(