Air New Zealand Air Points - OT: Air Pacific Business Class

I happened to be flying NAN-LAX with Air Pacific last night and thought I'd ask about upgrading. It turns out they do paid "space available" upgrades for FJD 1100 so I gave it a go. It was an all round positive experience. What you get is a dated but comfortable full service business class and the leg rest/recline adjust far enough for side sleeping. Food and booze were ok but obviously no AVOD.

If you find yourself ending up on FJ metal with NZ (long haul), I'd recommend asking. At NAN, it's just a matter of going to the service desk and asking if they've got space available. I can't speak for other stations.

Walking past Air Pacific check-in at AKL yesterday afternoon I noticed a sign indicating those interested in a paid upgrade should enquire on check-in.

I can't recall the exact words, but that was the gist.

Walking past Air Pacific check-in at AKL yesterday afternoon I noticed a sign up indicating those interested in a paid upgrade should enquire on check-in.

I can't recall the exact words, but that was the gist.

They don't seem to advertise at LAX or NAN but then again, the business cabin on their 747-400 does seem small (literally just the nose, and I'm told there are no business class seats upstairs).

There isn't... UD is Y seating...

I hear tell that if you must fly in Y on FJ that IS the place to be... but have no personal experience of it. One flight with them and that was in J.... Whew!!! :D

I do have personal experience of the upper deck - it's definitely the place to be if you have to fly Air Pacific. You have to specifically ask to be seated there (and no seating requests are accepted in advance). Check-in agents may be reluctant as - believe it or not - they like to reserve it for the crew to use during the flight. I find status on AirNZ does help to get an UD seat, along with talking to the person controlling the flight (usually at the service desk). Even on a quite full flight, the last 4 or so rows are used by the crew, and the FA upstairs will ask pax not to sit there as you spread out. However, if you can get a seat you'll find the UD is usually half empty (even if downstairs is almost full), you willl often have a row to yourself, the side lockers are great as usual, pax to FA ratio is much better and it's just a much more relaxing environment.

Do eat before flying - the catering in Y is shameful. On the 10.5 hour NAN-LAX segment dinner is an awful luncheon meat sandwich ( ! ) only, breakfast an inedible omlette/sausage/tomato tin and the wine is almost undrinkable. I'd love to say good things about the onboard service if I could but there really is nothing there :(. Crew are generally friendly but service is hit and miss.

Ground is much better - in NAN you can use the business class check in and Air Pacific lounge with an NZ Gold/GE card (poss *G too). The lounge has a very good food selection, including hot snacks (eat up to avoid the onboard sandwich). Have never tried the flight coming the other way.

So not a patch on AirNZ, but if you can get the UD, eat before the flight and just stretch out and sleep it's bearable.

Cheers, Zac

Great info Zaco!!! ^

My pleasure :D. Also wanted to add - the flight is eligible for NZ dollars (35 in Y) but not status points. These don't post automatically, you need to send in the Air Pacific BPs for credit.

Cheers, Zac