Arrival of Air New Zealand's first Boeing 777-300 ER
Jan 9, 2011, 4:59 am
#46
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 366
I've heard OKM's inaugural service has been delayed from tomorrow's 123 due to approval delays? Anyone heard anything similar?
Whilst the schedule still says 773, typically last minute NZ aircraft changes aren't reflected in GDS schedule entries, although the seatmaps are generally quite accurate.
Whilst the schedule still says 773, typically last minute NZ aircraft changes aren't reflected in GDS schedule entries, although the seatmaps are generally quite accurate.
Jan 9, 2011, 11:30 am
#47
In Memoriam
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: AKL
Programs: NZ*E, QF G, HH S, AClub G, PC G
Posts: 252
I've heard OKM's inaugural service has been delayed from tomorrow's 123 due to approval delays? Anyone heard anything similar?
Whilst the schedule still says 773, typically last minute NZ aircraft changes aren't reflected in GDS schedule entries, although the seatmaps are generally quite accurate.
Whilst the schedule still says 773, typically last minute NZ aircraft changes aren't reflected in GDS schedule entries, although the seatmaps are generally quite accurate.
Jan 9, 2011, 1:50 pm
#49
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: NZ Koru
Posts: 6,411
NZ has said they do not guarantee what flights would be operated by the 77W until April 2011.
Jan 9, 2011, 2:45 pm
#50
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 366
Going to a 772 explains why a lot of inventory suddenly shut down over the weekend, in fact most of this week's AKL-MEL J inventory tightened up over the weekend, but looks like it has eased a tad now.
The 773 may operate as early as tomorrow, from what I was told.
The 773 may operate as early as tomorrow, from what I was told.
Jan 9, 2011, 4:40 pm
#51
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Oz, Wales, Fiji. AirNZ Gold Elite, Virgin Australia Platinum, Qantas Gold, Hyatt and IHG Platinum.
Posts: 541
Out of curiosity, does anyone know what they're doing with it at the moment? From the delivery flight photos it looked like the cabin was complete. Is it some sort of NZ certification, or maintenance checks or something?
Jan 9, 2011, 7:43 pm
#54
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Wellington
Programs: QFWP (LTSG), NZ (Jade), TG ROP (Forgotten), OZ (Silver), AA (Cardboard), EK (Lowest of the Low)
Posts: 4,669
^Totally agree!
At the NZ DO one of the NZ engineering staff said that there needed to be over 1,000 CAA checks completed before the aircraft can fly scheduled passenger service. I guess over the Xmas/NYE period there would be an issue with the number of Boeing, GE, NZ, CAA and other staff available.
At the NZ DO one of the NZ engineering staff said that there needed to be over 1,000 CAA checks completed before the aircraft can fly scheduled passenger service. I guess over the Xmas/NYE period there would be an issue with the number of Boeing, GE, NZ, CAA and other staff available.
Jan 9, 2011, 11:47 pm
#56
In Memoriam
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: AKL
Programs: NZ*E, QF G, HH S, AClub G, PC G
Posts: 252
When I reboarded the return flight in MEL the same crew was doing the return leg, and had prepared a welcome back pack for me. The friendliness and fantastic service on the way home must have made the other pax up front wonder who on earth I was to receive such treatment.
Looks like the 77W will be ready for tomorrow so I'll give it another go then (this time I booked flexis tickets just in case
)
Jan 10, 2011, 8:29 am
#58
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: My existence is what matters
Programs: NZ, QF
Posts: 469
Also, when I look at seatguru.com, I don't see that they give a more generous seat pitch after adding 1 more seat in each row.
Jan 10, 2011, 12:42 pm
#59
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SJC
Programs: NZ*G, QF NB, UA 1K, AA ExecPlat, IHG PlatAmb, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, ZE1 PC
Posts: 2,636
Just booked LAX-AKL on NZ5 01FEB in Premium Economy, apparently on the 773 - I sure hope that it makes it. The seat-map was looking very full in PE (only 4 seats available when I booked).
Jan 10, 2011, 11:29 pm
#60
In Memoriam
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: AKL
Programs: NZ*E, QF G, HH S, AClub G, PC G
Posts: 252
Just got home from round 2, AKL-MEL-AKL, this time it was on the 77W. You'll be in for a bit of a treat tomorrow as they are trialling the new long haul offer this week on the TT route to ensure they smooth out the bugs before it's hits the LAX route next week.
It appeared that numerous seat upgrades were handed out at the gate, which I'm sure was a pleasant surprise for a few people. The new amenity kits were handed out in business premier too.
Crew were fantastic , with half a dozen or so extras on hand to allow them to have time to offer the long haul cooked on board menu. Unfortunately due to a catering mixup the eggs Benedict was off the menu today, but the kiwi big breakfast I had certainly hit the spot. Meal service on outbound flight was slow as they sorted through the issues (wasn't served until approx 2 hours into flight), but the angus beef burger I had for lunch on the return leg was delicious and served promptly.
Kerry Reeves (NZ's Airlines Programme Manager) treated me to a personal tour of the plane once the other pax had deboarded at MEL, and upon return to AKL I was shown into the cockpit to meet the pilots (and pose for a quick photo for my Facebook profile)
In all the 77W is a great addition to the NZ fleet, and the awesome service I have received in the last couple of days has gone a long way towards persuading me to make NZ my first choice for TT travel again.
Thanks NZ ^
It appeared that numerous seat upgrades were handed out at the gate, which I'm sure was a pleasant surprise for a few people. The new amenity kits were handed out in business premier too.
Crew were fantastic , with half a dozen or so extras on hand to allow them to have time to offer the long haul cooked on board menu. Unfortunately due to a catering mixup the eggs Benedict was off the menu today, but the kiwi big breakfast I had certainly hit the spot. Meal service on outbound flight was slow as they sorted through the issues (wasn't served until approx 2 hours into flight), but the angus beef burger I had for lunch on the return leg was delicious and served promptly.
Kerry Reeves (NZ's Airlines Programme Manager) treated me to a personal tour of the plane once the other pax had deboarded at MEL, and upon return to AKL I was shown into the cockpit to meet the pilots (and pose for a quick photo for my Facebook profile
)In all the 77W is a great addition to the NZ fleet, and the awesome service I have received in the last couple of days has gone a long way towards persuading me to make NZ my first choice for TT travel again.
Thanks NZ ^
