Anyone made bookings to fly on the 77W?
Aug 4, 2010, 7:19 pm
#47
Join Date: May 2001
Location: YVR
Posts: 3,918
Here is the response from Air New Zealand on the blog post....
http://airlineroute.net/2010/08/04/nz-77w-update/
But it didn't explain why is AKL LHR LAX seat map display still showing "High Value Seats" not "SkyCouch"
http://airlineroute.net/2010/08/04/nz-77w-update/
There is currently no delay to the delivery of Boeing 777-300 to Air New Zealand.
As has always been communicated, the aircraft continues to be guaranteed available on NZ1 (LHR-LAX-AKL) and NZ2 (AKL-LAX-LHR) from April 2011. This is the first date/route on which people can purchase the new product.
Up until that point the aircraft will operate ad hoc on trans-Tasman and AKL-LAX services. As a result of the ad hoc nature of the flying, our existing Economy, Premium Economy and Business Premier product is the product for sale on those routes. If the customer ends up on a 777-300, they will be surprised and delighted about getting to experience the new product.
We continue to move around aircraft on the network, and as you point out, we have a 747 operating AKL-LAX services over December and into January to allow additional operational flexibility.
The Skycouch has never been a product to be sold on the Tasman, the same way that Premium Economy today isn’t sold on the Tasman. Therefore those seats are masked for the airline to seat frequent flyers as an added benefit to them. This seat mask is what this post has incorrectly interpreted as an indefinite delay to the introduction of the Skycouch.
As has always been communicated, the aircraft continues to be guaranteed available on NZ1 (LHR-LAX-AKL) and NZ2 (AKL-LAX-LHR) from April 2011. This is the first date/route on which people can purchase the new product.
Up until that point the aircraft will operate ad hoc on trans-Tasman and AKL-LAX services. As a result of the ad hoc nature of the flying, our existing Economy, Premium Economy and Business Premier product is the product for sale on those routes. If the customer ends up on a 777-300, they will be surprised and delighted about getting to experience the new product.
We continue to move around aircraft on the network, and as you point out, we have a 747 operating AKL-LAX services over December and into January to allow additional operational flexibility.
The Skycouch has never been a product to be sold on the Tasman, the same way that Premium Economy today isn’t sold on the Tasman. Therefore those seats are masked for the airline to seat frequent flyers as an added benefit to them. This seat mask is what this post has incorrectly interpreted as an indefinite delay to the introduction of the Skycouch.
Aug 4, 2010, 7:47 pm
#48
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: PHX
Programs: AA1MM, QF/NZ/VA/UA/DL, etc...
Posts: 516
Thanks for posting this -
So does this mean that chances are greater to end up on the 77W on NZ1/2 now in Dec/Jan, rather than the NZ5/6 flights that showed it on prior bookings?
Seems like they're being rather coy, after trumpeting how the 77W begins in December 2010.
Or perhaps I'm just whinging too much
So does this mean that chances are greater to end up on the 77W on NZ1/2 now in Dec/Jan, rather than the NZ5/6 flights that showed it on prior bookings?
Seems like they're being rather coy, after trumpeting how the 77W begins in December 2010.
Or perhaps I'm just whinging too much
Aug 4, 2010, 7:52 pm
#49
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Palmerston North
Programs: NZ GE and EK Skywards
Posts: 54
I'm sorry but I simply just don't buy this explaination
I booked thru a Air New Zealand holiday shop and expressly asked to be booked on flights with the new PE seats. It took a bit of shuffling, but we got there in the end.
At NO TIME was I told the flights weren't starting until April and I should be 'pleased and delighted' if I managed to end up on a flight with the superior seating.
When I paid my money it was for the updated PE seats. I even got to choose where we wanted to sit, within the new seating structure.
I booked thru a Air New Zealand holiday shop and expressly asked to be booked on flights with the new PE seats. It took a bit of shuffling, but we got there in the end.
At NO TIME was I told the flights weren't starting until April and I should be 'pleased and delighted' if I managed to end up on a flight with the superior seating.
When I paid my money it was for the updated PE seats. I even got to choose where we wanted to sit, within the new seating structure.
Aug 4, 2010, 7:59 pm
#50
Join Date: May 2001
Location: YVR
Posts: 3,918
Thanks for posting this -
So does this mean that chances are greater to end up on the 77W on NZ1/2 now in Dec/Jan, rather than the NZ5/6 flights that showed it on prior bookings?
Seems like they're being rather coy, after trumpeting how the 77W begins in December 2010.
Or perhaps I'm just whinging too much
So does this mean that chances are greater to end up on the 77W on NZ1/2 now in Dec/Jan, rather than the NZ5/6 flights that showed it on prior bookings?
Seems like they're being rather coy, after trumpeting how the 77W begins in December 2010.
Or perhaps I'm just whinging too much
Aug 4, 2010, 8:20 pm
#51
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Stanmore, Sydney, Australia.
Programs: NZ Airpoints GE
Posts: 1,360
I'm sorry but I simply just don't buy this explaination
I booked thru a Air New Zealand holiday shop and expressly asked to be booked on flights with the new PE seats. It took a bit of shuffling, but we got there in the end.
At NO TIME was I told the flights weren't starting until April and I should be 'pleased and delighted' if I managed to end up on a flight with the superior seating.
When I paid my money it was for the updated PE seats. I even got to choose where we wanted to sit, within the new seating structure.
I booked thru a Air New Zealand holiday shop and expressly asked to be booked on flights with the new PE seats. It took a bit of shuffling, but we got there in the end.
At NO TIME was I told the flights weren't starting until April and I should be 'pleased and delighted' if I managed to end up on a flight with the superior seating.
When I paid my money it was for the updated PE seats. I even got to choose where we wanted to sit, within the new seating structure.
Had they said there was a delvery date issue then fine, but to now tell us this is just unacceptable.
I hope someone from NZ is reading this thread.
Aug 4, 2010, 9:34 pm
#52
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: AKL
Programs: QF Gold, UA*G, AZ Freccia Alata - SkyTeam Elite Plus
Posts: 361
I was looking forward to flying on the inaugural trans-tasman of this flight, especially when there were speculations it would be AKL-MEL in December, but will hold off booking the AKL-BNE on 10 Jan 2011 in case there are further changes.
As with any new aircraft entering a fleet, there are always going to be problems. I agree that Air NZ should have been more clear on the fact that the aircraft would be "guaranteed available on NZ1 (LHR-LAX-AKL) and NZ2 (AKL-LAX-LHR) from April 2011", but having said that, Air NZ reserve the right to substitute an aircraft so guaranteed availability isn't really guaranteed!
As with any new aircraft entering a fleet, there are always going to be problems. I agree that Air NZ should have been more clear on the fact that the aircraft would be "guaranteed available on NZ1 (LHR-LAX-AKL) and NZ2 (AKL-LAX-LHR) from April 2011", but having said that, Air NZ reserve the right to substitute an aircraft so guaranteed availability isn't really guaranteed!
Aug 4, 2010, 10:41 pm
#53
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,498
For all we know so many people have been trying to snag seats on the NZ5/6 because of the new 77W that Air NZ are looking at it and thinking that there is so much demand they need to put a 744 on instead!
AFAIK there have only been brief mentions in press releases and the like (if that) of the new 77W operating ad hoc on LAX and trans-Tasman prior to launching on NZ1/2 in April. Certainly none of the marketing material has trumpeted the aircraft flying on those routes. It really is no different to someone booking PE on a 744 and winding up on a 772 - annoying for the pax, but certainly nothing which the operator would issue an explanation about.
AFAIK there have only been brief mentions in press releases and the like (if that) of the new 77W operating ad hoc on LAX and trans-Tasman prior to launching on NZ1/2 in April. Certainly none of the marketing material has trumpeted the aircraft flying on those routes. It really is no different to someone booking PE on a 744 and winding up on a 772 - annoying for the pax, but certainly nothing which the operator would issue an explanation about.
Aug 4, 2010, 10:58 pm
#54
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Stanmore, Sydney, Australia.
Programs: NZ Airpoints GE
Posts: 1,360
I have a sneaking supsicion my AKL LAX flight in Dec, although changed to a 744, might be reinstated as a 77W as the seat maps for PE and Y do not appear on either EF or MyAirNZ.
Aug 4, 2010, 11:31 pm
#55
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
I was looking forward to flying on the inaugural trans-tasman of this flight, especially when there were speculations it would be AKL-MEL in December, but will hold off booking the AKL-BNE on 10 Jan 2011 in case there are further changes.
As with any new aircraft entering a fleet, there are always going to be problems. I agree that Air NZ should have been more clear on the fact that the aircraft would be "guaranteed available on NZ1 (LHR-LAX-AKL) and NZ2 (AKL-LAX-LHR) from April 2011", but having said that, Air NZ reserve the right to substitute an aircraft so guaranteed availability isn't really guaranteed!
As with any new aircraft entering a fleet, there are always going to be problems. I agree that Air NZ should have been more clear on the fact that the aircraft would be "guaranteed available on NZ1 (LHR-LAX-AKL) and NZ2 (AKL-LAX-LHR) from April 2011", but having said that, Air NZ reserve the right to substitute an aircraft so guaranteed availability isn't really guaranteed!
Aug 5, 2010, 12:25 am
#56
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: AKL
Programs: QF Gold, UA*G, AZ Freccia Alata - SkyTeam Elite Plus
Posts: 361
Agree and something I've experienced on other airlines too. I posted to this effect earlier.
But managed to get a $299 return fare a week the before the inaugural to travel on the first flight ex. AKL and upgraded to J on the return leg.
Aug 11, 2010, 4:20 pm
#57
Company Representative - Air New Zealand
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Auckland
Programs: NZ
Posts: 106
This morning we added two new features to the website for bookings with a Skycouch.
1. Seat request. You can now request a seat for your booking with a Skycouch on our new aircraft. This is available for new and previously made bookings. Either select seat request from the booking confirmation page or retrieve your booking from the home page entering your booking reference and family name.
2. Skycouch Upgrade. For bookings already made you can now add a Skycouch to your journey or increase the number of Skycouch you would like for your booking. This new functionality is available on our New Zealand and Australia website and will be added to other regions soon.
Let me know what you think of these two new features.
Thanks
Paul
Senior E-commerce Development Specialist
1. Seat request. You can now request a seat for your booking with a Skycouch on our new aircraft. This is available for new and previously made bookings. Either select seat request from the booking confirmation page or retrieve your booking from the home page entering your booking reference and family name.
2. Skycouch Upgrade. For bookings already made you can now add a Skycouch to your journey or increase the number of Skycouch you would like for your booking. This new functionality is available on our New Zealand and Australia website and will be added to other regions soon.
Let me know what you think of these two new features.
Thanks
Paul
Senior E-commerce Development Specialist
Aug 23, 2010, 6:25 pm
#58
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: AKL
Programs: QF Gold, UA*G, AZ Freccia Alata - SkyTeam Elite Plus
Posts: 361
Looking at the NZ booking engine, it's showing
AKL-BNE 10JAN NZ135/136
AKL-MEL 11JAN NZ123/124
AKL-MEL 12JAN NZ123/124
AKL-BNE 13JAN NZ135/136
AKL-BNE 14JAN NZ123/124
Of course all subject to change, but good to see some flights on AKL-MEL in the first week
AKL-BNE 10JAN NZ135/136
AKL-MEL 11JAN NZ123/124
AKL-MEL 12JAN NZ123/124
AKL-BNE 13JAN NZ135/136
AKL-BNE 14JAN NZ123/124
Of course all subject to change, but good to see some flights on AKL-MEL in the first week
Aug 24, 2010, 11:20 am
#60
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422