AKL-EZE on Air New Zealand
 

Hi All,

Has anyone ever seen any award space through Aeroplan (or any other star alliance partner) for Air New Zealand's AKL-EZE route?

Aeroplan and United not showing this route for literally any day from now until as far out as the search lets me go.

Thoughts?

Finding business class award space on NZ is akin to finding the proverbial unicorn.

Looks to me like there is a fair amount of Premium Econo space but never Business on this route. Economy also rare/non-existent.

Where did you find premium economy? I see not a single seat available in any cabin for any day

J. Years ago, as in a decade ago you would see J award seats come available within a couple of weeks of departure. I have not personally looked for several years, but reading on FT it doesn't look as though NZ has opened up the J cabin for awards.

As a NZ FF who is seeking upgrades I am grateful for it though.;) Less award space increases my chances. Batting 100% for upgrades using two of their three upgrade instruments. OneUp about 50%.

Just plugged in some random dates into Expert Flyer, July and November

Here is what came up--don't know what Aeroplan actually shows . . .

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...239fbe1330.jpg

That data is only relevant for NZ Airpoints members.

*A partners cannot book PE awards on NZ.

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

Good to know--wonder if the lack of availability in Y and J reflects the pressure that Star Alliance members have on rewards, reducing even the availability of economy awards on this route. Seems strange that there is ample premium economy but no Y or J, even for NZ Airpoints members.

And yet NZ's Business class is only 4 across...all with aisle access. The UA 789 has SIX across in Business. How a demonstrably BETTER layout indicates a "low end" market escapes me.....

NZ AirPoints are dollars as opposed to a mileage based system. If you have enough AirPoints/Dollars you buy the ticket, or pay mixed between AirPoints and real dollars. If any portion paid for by AirPoints, the flights do not accrue toward Status Points.
https://www.airnewzealand.ca/airpoints-flight-rewards

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.

its not difficult to fill 18 J seats on the 787-9.