Originally Posted by
Kiwi Flyer
I would go Air NZ via LAX. The 747 has 34" pitch (and slim seats) so you basically get as good a seat as UA Y+. But on NZ there is great avod IFE, good food and drink, great service, and a chance to stretch the legs in AKL (not as long a flight as UA or AC). Plus, plenty of options to Australia from AKL - Cairns, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.
Air NZ also flies to AKL from YVR, SFO and HNL. YVR and SFO are on 777 which is about 32" pitch - good but not as good as the 747. HNL is on 767 which currently only has mainscreen IFE but is being upgraded to avod later this year.
Yes -- I would agree 100%. The most comfortable ride I have EVER had in coach was on AZ from LAX to SYD on a 767ER. The seats had plenty of legroom (I'm 6'0" tall) and they were those new ergonomic seats that you just kinda' melted into. Mrs. Flies was flying with me. The difference between these coach seats and upgradeable coach seats was $600. We figured we would rather have the extra $1200 to spend in the Land of Oz. We definitely made the right decision.