Originally Posted by
LinoNAC
does anyone know if there much difference between the Airnz business and the emirite/Qantas business ?
Trans Tasman sectors
I've never flown TT so can't help with that but for long haul, I prefer Air NZ Business Premier to Emirates Business. Both are good but fairly different.
Air NZ are much more friendly (I find Emirates staff a bit robotic and they can be slow, especially on the A380). The food is also better on Air NZ, quite a lot better in my view (I really missed the Air NZ bacon roll when I breakfasted on Emirates recently). The wine is better on Air NZ but Emirates offer real champagne and decent cocktails so that's a plus point for them.
I have no interest in the A380 bar as I usually fly solo although if you're travelling in a couple/group, it's probably useful as you can chat without disturbing anyone sleeping around you. The bar has never been busy when I've flown but it's still a pain having to push past people to use the Business bathrooms.
Emirates IFE is world class. Huge screen built into the seat/wall in front so no stowing required on take-off/landing. They have an amazing selection on their IFE and this is where they really stand out in my opinion. They make other airlines' offerings look pretty shabby.
I like the Emirates A380 window seat as it's very private but if I had to have an aisle/middle seat on the A380 or a seat on the 777-300, then I'd prefer to fly Air NZ as I find their seats more comfortable (especially in bed mode). Emirates massage function in their seats seems like a fun idea but the novelty quickly wears off.
Every Emirates lounge I've been in (HKG, BKK, DXB, LGW) has been much much better than the few Air NZ lounges I've tried (AKL, SYD).
I fly HKG-LON on a regular basis and Air NZ were my preferred airline but now they've stopped that route (grrr!), I've switched to Emirates (I much prefer them to Cathay/BA/Virgin even with the Dubai stopover). Living in Hong Kong, my options to use Air NZ are very limited these days....it's pretty much Auckland or nowhere. Sad really.