Air New Zealand Air Points - AKL - LHR best option?

I have a family member that needs to get from Auckland to London shortly. As i haven't flown NZ Intl in yonks i'm a bit behind on best options. I have three questions.

1. Which routing is best (most comfortable) via HKG or LAX?
2. Does equipment on either route have offer premium economy?
3. Does it make more sense to the pay cash difference or use Airpoint Dollars to upgrade from economy to premium economy?

Advise much appreciated.

I think you'll find most folks would recommend via HKG (unless stopping over in LAX on the way - thus avoiding the dreaded "transit") all else being equal..

All AKL-LHR options HAVE Premium Economy (Y+) .. but IMO the cost premium is not worth it on the 777... and more-or-less IS on the 747....

SO... Assuming travel is before NZ 39 (the AKL-HKG-LHR flight) changes to a 777 I'd go for that flight by preference...

Y+ prices have just gone up and up... these days I tend to book in economy (on 747 operated flights!) and put in for upgrades all the way to Business Premier.. being happy to get the "half way" upgrade to Y+ if that's all I'm going to get! I actually think the Airbucks upgrade cost Y to Y+ is one of the better deals of the program.... YMMV

If they have no NZ status however (?) one wonders how much chance they have of getting the upgrade anyway... unless you are considering a Confirmed one??

I go with trooper in as far as 777 PE is junk and overpriced unless you can drink mthe diff to make up for wickedly ordinary seats. I would pick whichever route has 744 (depnding on yr timing)if PE is your choice and of course more seats on 744 so better chances of better fares sometimes to fill.
There is apost elersewheere here showing schedule changes but its march late iirc.
on 744 i think 22ab are pick for legroom if u like upperdeck. nothing is a good pick on 777 3-3-3

I'll largely endorse what has been said already.

Via HKG is more comfortable in terms of the transit experience. You get a couple of hours at a pleasant airport, only needing to go through security, and you can shop, relax in a reasonable environment. Via LAX means getting pre-clearance for a Visa waiver to enter the US, queuing up with immigration to sit in a holding pen with nothing but free softdrinks for 2 hours.

Premium economy is on both routes, but the 747 product is far superior to the 777 product. At the moment the 777 operates AKL-LAX-LHR, and 747 AKL-HKG-LHR, which makes it a no brainer.

However, when the 747 shifts to AKL-LAX-LHR, and 777 for AKL-HKG-LHR you have a tradeoff between premium economy product and the transit experience. It's as simple as that.

747 premium economy has slightly wider seats, but a more comfortable configuration if you either get the 2 seat pairs in the upper deck or downstairs (the 3 seat section in the upper deck less so). The 777 premium economy offers no width advantage, just legroom and the better catering.

It may not matter much, but AKL-LAX-LHR is a shorter route than AKL-HKG-LHR by about 2 hours because it is eastbound.

Personally I wouldn't pay for premium economy on a 777, but would spend airpoints on the upgrade if I thought I'd get it (as I'm Gold Elite the chance is reasonable).

Given you are NZ Gold you have a reasonable chance of getting the upgrade, and the economy product on the 747 has more legroom in most seats compared to the 777. I'd go through LA, bear the transit experience (as a Gold you should be able to go to the slightly nicer premium area transit section) and request upgrade to premium economy.

However, the irony is of course that the more likely you are to get the upgrade, the cheaper the fare in premium economy is anyway.

I'd prefer to pay premium economy and use points to go in business. The leap from premium economy to business is far higher and makes a big difference.

I appreciate the detailed replies. Many thanks to each of you.

Seems we have a consensus on HKG routing and 744 metal. 22AB.

Don't mind the slightly longer journey. I seriously detest LAX and personally do my best to avoid whenever i can.

Come here and get all the answers. You folks are great! :)

What are the differences between eco 747 vs 777? I have only flown 747...

What are the differences between eco 747 vs 777? I have only flown 747...

2 inches of leg room.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-new-zealand-air-points/25056-new-ultimate-seating-thread-version-deux.html

2 inches of leg room.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-new-zealand-air-points/25056-new-ultimate-seating-thread-version-deux.html

Hm, terrible. I have flown NZ 12 times now. 11 x LHR-HKG or vv. and LHR-LAX once. Always on 747. I might look for other options, if I would have to fly 777 with 32'' seat pitch :(

I'd be changing that to 22HK, not AB, as you may get someone in C, whereas HK are a two seat pair. 23HK are also very good and a bit more private as we felt a little exposed in 22HK, but endless legroom in 22, although not such a good view out windows, but still OK with a neck stretch.

If doing it again, I'd personally prefer 23HK.

Cheers
TiggerK

Hm, terrible. I have flown NZ 12 times now. 11 x LHR-HKG or vv. and LHR-LAX once. Always on 747. I might look for other options, if I would have to fly 777 with 32'' seat pitch :(

In the 777's defense, there are some seats that give 33" leg room, which is only 1" less than most 747 seats (and the same as some rows on the 747).
The seats are wider on the 777, and as we all know from the late-night Extenze commercials, width is what really matters :p

Another voice to dissaude you from purchasing Prem Y on the 777.

I have to post an alternative point of view.

I fully agree that unless flying in Business Premier than the 747 should be chosen at all costs.

But don't forget that LAX makes for a far preferable stopover experience to HKG if not flying all the way through, not just because you can break the journey in California or Mexico but also because it brings into play stopovers in Hawaii or the South Pacific. And if you're just stopping over for a day or two, LAX is much more accessible to Santa Monica than the new HKG airport is to Kowloon and Central.

I actually am almost alone in preferring to transit LAX rather than HKG. The problem with HKG is that you have to wake up and deplane (or check-in) at a God-awful hour in the morning, and that the shops are only just opening during the period before you re-embark.

So while I do recommend the 747 ahead of the 777, I'd take Los Angeles as a stopover ahead of Hong Kong any time, even though the airport is crap.

And if you're just stopping over for a day or two, LAX is much more accessible to Santa Monica than the new HKG airport is to Kowloon and Central.


24 minutes by express train from HKG to Kowloon. How long time would it take from LAX to Santa Monica? And how much $$$?

The express train in HKG is fine - unless you have luggage.

Again, it's matter of personal taste, isn't it? Whether you stopover at HKG or LAX anyone with luggage is likely to take a cab, so they can go door to door.

But anyway I'd venture the claim that most British / Australian / Kiwi people would prefer a short stopover by the beach at Santa Monica rather than hit the shops in Hong Kong where they struggle to find clothes which aren't designed for the ultra-petite.

Like everyone I prefer HKG's airport to LAX. But I find that advantage outweighed by the inconveniently early arrival and departure at HKG and by the fact that travelling from HKG to LHR means you travel all day in daylight only to arrive ready to collapse but only half way through the day.