Air New Zealand Air Points - AKL-PER on NZ economy - how good is it?

I'm trying to decide whether or not to fly AKL-PER-AKL leaving on a Wednesday in November, and returning on a Wednesday in November.

The details aren't really important, but they're posted in this thread if anyone's interested http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=691353

I've never been to Australia or New Zealand before, and have certainly never flown NZ metal. My questions are:

1. Will the flight be crowded? Obviously if it has a load factor < 50% in economy, then getting 2 seats to myself seems pretty sweet.

2. How comfortable are the economy seats? I've checked out the stats on seatguru, but would like to know of anyone's first-hand experiences of them and if possible, how they compare to AA, UA or BA.

3. Is it possible to book economy seats in advance? I have no relevant status.

4. If I manage to get assigned 15JK or 16JK on the 767-300, what are the chances that they will suddenly decide that they need those seats for "Crew Rest Area" needs and bump me out of them?

Thanks!

(This was originally misposted in Other Asian, Australian and South Pacific Frequent Flyer Programs. I have asked mods to close/lock the misposted thread. Please reply here - thank you!)

error

[QUOTE=nigelloring;7716245]

1. Will the flight be crowded? Obviously if it has a load factor < 50% in economy, then getting 2 seats to myself seems pretty sweet.

2. How comfortable are the economy seats? I've checked out the stats on seatguru, but would like to know of anyone's first-hand experiences of them and if possible, how they compare to AA, UA or BA.

3. Is it possible to book economy seats in advance? I have no relevant status.

4. If I manage to get assigned 15JK or 16JK on the 767-300, what are the chances that they will suddenly decide that they need those seats for "Crew Rest Area" needs and bump me out of them?
QUOTE]

1. Well the flights load factor will be well ova 50% as if it was 50% that flight would be cut the way nz is going at the moment.

2. I find Air Nzs 767 seats to be good they have winged headrest and foot rest.

3. Yes it possable to book seats in advance just ring the call centre up after booking online. Although with no staus you are looking at being seated behind rows 22 to 40

4. These seats are blocked off from the cabin by a wall there are doors ont he wall for crew access to them.

http://www.airnz.co.nz/travelinfo/ontheplane/seat_maps/boeing_767300_popup.htm

Thank you for your informative answer.


3. Yes it possable to book seats in advance just ring the call centre up after booking online. Although with no staus you are looking at being seated behind rows 22 to 40


Is it possible to get an exception to the row 22-40 rule? Maybe by pleading with them :) and telling them I'm on connecting on the inbound from a business-class NZ flight and on the inbound to a business-class QF fare?

Or some clever thing involving Coupon Connection?

Thank you for your informative answer.



Is it possible to get an exception to the row 22-40 rule? Maybe by pleading with them :) and telling them I'm on connecting on the inbound from a business-class NZ flight and on the inbound to a business-class QF fare?

Or some clever thing involving Coupon Connection?

It all depends on how many pax that have status on the flight you could allways try to get one of those rows at checkin. Ive found the more times a year that you fly with Air Nz the better seats they will give you.

Just ask nicely to be seated as far forward as possible when you ring!

I even once had an operator who noticed the exit row was available and immediately offered it to me. Sadly there was an aircraft change (this isn't relating to the Perth route specifically) so I ended up with just a normal seat.