Originally Posted by
mellon
NZ is a low end tourist market, so NZ puts very few business class seats on a plane. So a lot less seats to offer for redemption.
As an example NZ 787-9 only have 18 business class seats. On the same plane UA has 48/ AC has 30/ AA has 30/BA has 42
Can't say that in all my years travelling back and forth to NZ, I have ever considered it or heard NZ referred to as a low end tourist spot catering to a low end market.
NZ's 777-300s have 44 business class seats and have three departures day from West Coast USA, plus a 5 day a week 777-200 flight ex YVR with 26.
IAH and ORD are as you describe with the 787.
As a NZ FF who crosses the Pacific often on NZ, I can tell you that the front cabin is pretty much always full.