Originally Posted by
TheInvisibleHand
I struggle to think of the attraction QF has over NZ when flying tran-tasman... and I say this as a QF WP who is only PS with VA. So I question whether the status match will change flying behaviour?
I fly this route pretty regularly, and ~50% of the time I fly with Air NZ. The 737 is an average plane (although I do tend to score row 4 a lot as a WP which is excellent), but traveling in Y on EK's A380 is worse in my opinion. The A380 J is a good hard product, but not any/significantly better than Air NZ 777 and I far prefer the 777 Y over both the QF and EK offerings.
I guess it could be a different story on other routes though...
Interesting.
I have applied for the status match, although TBH like you said, probably won't change my TT flying habits of relying on NZ/VA.
As I was Koru then *G on NZ, able to secure the Space+ seats with upto 36" pitch on the A320, which makes a huge difference, and if it's on a widebody, can often sit in the Premium Economy section of a 77E/77W/789 instead. VA also treats me nicely and often manage to get Row 3 at check-in, or an exit row.
Add to the fact some routes I fly, it's JQ, and boy was that a "memorable" experience AKL-OOL both ways squeezed into a 28" pitch seat for 3 hours each way... (good reason why I did it once 3 years ago and never again)
You mentioned NZ 777 being preferable to EK A380, would that be the 9 abreast 777-200ERs pre-refit, or the 10 abreast 777-300ERs you're comparing with? Usually I hear people much prefer EK A380 on Y TT.