Air NZ New Domestic Seats - 4 options, bookable from 24th June 2014
Jun 10, 2014, 12:42 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: Airpoints, HHONORS GOLD VIP, Aclub Gold
Posts: 762
new domestic seats
Just received the following email..
New domestic booking options
If you're having trouble reading this email, view it online here
New Domestic Options
Hello QTFLYER
We asked Kiwis what they wanted when traveling around the country, the same answers came up again and again; flexibility, affordability and choice.
Today we're very excited to announce our response to this challenge, a simple solution that will be available to book from 24 June in the form of our new domestic seats. With our new domestic seats you'll always get four simple options every time you book.
Among other things, this means you'll never have to pay for a checked bag you don't need. If you book Flexitime and your meeting runs late you'll be able to easily change to a later flight that day. And if you might need to change the day of your flight for any reason, you can, with our Flexiplus option.
Soon you'll be able to choose, and pay for, exactly what you want, not just what's left.
Air New Zealand's new domestic booking options will be available to book from 24 June 2014, for travel from 21 July 2014.
Flexitime available on domestic routes that fly more than once per day, every day. Any flight changes are subject to flight availability.
If you're having trouble reading this email, view it online here
New Domestic Options
Hello QTFLYER
We asked Kiwis what they wanted when traveling around the country, the same answers came up again and again; flexibility, affordability and choice.
Today we're very excited to announce our response to this challenge, a simple solution that will be available to book from 24 June in the form of our new domestic seats. With our new domestic seats you'll always get four simple options every time you book.
Among other things, this means you'll never have to pay for a checked bag you don't need. If you book Flexitime and your meeting runs late you'll be able to easily change to a later flight that day. And if you might need to change the day of your flight for any reason, you can, with our Flexiplus option.
Soon you'll be able to choose, and pay for, exactly what you want, not just what's left.
Air New Zealand's new domestic booking options will be available to book from 24 June 2014, for travel from 21 July 2014.
Flexitime available on domestic routes that fly more than once per day, every day. Any flight changes are subject to flight availability.
Jun 10, 2014, 12:42 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Usually Auckland, NZ
Programs: NZ Elite (*G), QF S (OWR), UA 0.14MM
Posts: 690
Air NZ New Domestic Seats - 4 options, bookable from 24th June 2014
So this was just announced via their website, and for those who subscribed to their e-mail newsletters.
New domestic seats
Four simple options available every time you book
Available to book from 24 June, for travel from 21 July 2014.
We asked Kiwis what they wanted when traveling around the country, the same answers came up again and again; flexibility, affordability and choice.
Our response to this challenge is a simple solution that will be available from 24 June in the form of our new domestic seats. With our new domestic seats you'll always get four simple options every time you book from 24 June, for travel from 21 July 2014. Whether it be two months or two days ahead of travel there’ll always be an option to suit your needs.
Air New Zealand Website
New domestic seats
Four simple options available every time you book
Available to book from 24 June, for travel from 21 July 2014.
We asked Kiwis what they wanted when traveling around the country, the same answers came up again and again; flexibility, affordability and choice.
Our response to this challenge is a simple solution that will be available from 24 June in the form of our new domestic seats. With our new domestic seats you'll always get four simple options every time you book from 24 June, for travel from 21 July 2014. Whether it be two months or two days ahead of travel there’ll always be an option to suit your needs.
Jun 10, 2014, 12:54 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: Airpoints, HHONORS GOLD VIP, Aclub Gold
Posts: 762
While it seems like a positive move for many, for me it means goodbye to flexible fares from my employer. As most of my travel can be pretty short notice I end up with a lot of flexibility class tickets with decent sp and apd earnings. Now I am sure it will be seat only all the way..!!
Jun 10, 2014, 1:03 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: NZ G, QF Bronze
Posts: 326
Jun 10, 2014, 1:44 am
#8
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
Jun 10, 2014, 1:45 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 232
Not really, the main difference is that all fares will always be available for purchase. More like that TT system. E.g if you are booking a flight 1 day prior to travel if booked now grabaseat would not be available, you would have to purchase Flexi Plus, with the new system you will always be able to buy Seat or Seat+Bag.
Jun 10, 2014, 2:01 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Usually Auckland, NZ
Programs: NZ Elite (*G), QF S (OWR), UA 0.14MM
Posts: 690
The more things change, the more stays the same?
Just had a look with what AirNZ already disclosed with this "new product", compared with the current offering (http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/domestic-fares).
Across all fares:
- Now includes a "Standard Seat" selection, where-as the current Seat and Seat+Bag cost $5 extra
- Luggage allowance remained the same across the respective types
- In flight snack seemed to have been canned now (that's a negative)
And specifically for Flexitime, compared with the current SmartSaver:
"includes the flexibility of being able to change your flight to an earlier or later flight that same day of travel when available*.
*Subject to availability on the day and please be aware that for domestic routes where we operate only 2-3 flight times per day, the ability to change to an earlier flight or later flight will be reduced."
What I gather from the above are:
- Not a lot of people right now, are willing to pay the $5 extra to choose a seat ahead of time on Seat & Seat+Bag. Does not effect anyone with Gold/Elite/Koru status anyway.
- The accountants must've worked out that omitting snacks is going to save enough, and distracting everyone with "hey look, we serve free tea or coffee!" although we already have that anyways.
Just had a look with what AirNZ already disclosed with this "new product", compared with the current offering (http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/domestic-fares).
Across all fares:
- Now includes a "Standard Seat" selection, where-as the current Seat and Seat+Bag cost $5 extra
- Luggage allowance remained the same across the respective types
- In flight snack seemed to have been canned now (that's a negative)
And specifically for Flexitime, compared with the current SmartSaver:
"includes the flexibility of being able to change your flight to an earlier or later flight that same day of travel when available*.
*Subject to availability on the day and please be aware that for domestic routes where we operate only 2-3 flight times per day, the ability to change to an earlier flight or later flight will be reduced."
What I gather from the above are:
- Not a lot of people right now, are willing to pay the $5 extra to choose a seat ahead of time on Seat & Seat+Bag. Does not effect anyone with Gold/Elite/Koru status anyway.
- The accountants must've worked out that omitting snacks is going to save enough, and distracting everyone with "hey look, we serve free tea or coffee!" although we already have that anyways.
Jun 10, 2014, 2:07 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,118
I guess until we see what the fare ranges are for each booking category it's hard to really see what sort of difference it will make.. But in following with the current policy of focusing solely on profit and devaluing the Airpoints program I suspect it'll be aiming to do both!
Jun 10, 2014, 3:48 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: bne
Programs: Velocity Gold, AIRNZ Elite, Qantas Silver ,Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,320
No cookies or chips ?
The more things change, the more stays the same?
Just had a look with what AirNZ already disclosed with this "new product", compared with the current offering (http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/domestic-fares).
Across all fares:
- Now includes a "Standard Seat" selection, where-as the current Seat and Seat+Bag cost $5 extra
- Luggage allowance remained the same across the respective types
- In flight snack seemed to have been canned now (that's a negative)
Looks like we need to take an extra cookie from the KC
And specifically for Flexitime, compared with the current SmartSaver:
"includes the flexibility of being able to change your flight to an earlier or later flight that same day of travel when available*.
*Subject to availability on the day and please be aware that for domestic routes where we operate only 2-3 flight times per day, the ability to change to an earlier flight or later flight will be reduced."
What I gather from the above are:
- Not a lot of people right now, are willing to pay the $5 extra to choose a seat ahead of time on Seat & Seat+Bag. Does not effect anyone with Gold/Elite/Koru status anyway.
- The accountants must've worked out that omitting snacks is going to save enough, and distracting everyone with "hey look, we serve free tea or coffee!" although we already have that anyways.
Just had a look with what AirNZ already disclosed with this "new product", compared with the current offering (http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/domestic-fares).
Across all fares:
- Now includes a "Standard Seat" selection, where-as the current Seat and Seat+Bag cost $5 extra
- Luggage allowance remained the same across the respective types
- In flight snack seemed to have been canned now (that's a negative)
Looks like we need to take an extra cookie from the KC
And specifically for Flexitime, compared with the current SmartSaver:
"includes the flexibility of being able to change your flight to an earlier or later flight that same day of travel when available*.
*Subject to availability on the day and please be aware that for domestic routes where we operate only 2-3 flight times per day, the ability to change to an earlier flight or later flight will be reduced."
What I gather from the above are:
- Not a lot of people right now, are willing to pay the $5 extra to choose a seat ahead of time on Seat & Seat+Bag. Does not effect anyone with Gold/Elite/Koru status anyway.
- The accountants must've worked out that omitting snacks is going to save enough, and distracting everyone with "hey look, we serve free tea or coffee!" although we already have that anyways.
Jun 10, 2014, 4:08 am
#13
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: AKL
Programs: NZ Silver
Posts: 1,817
Flexitime seems like an excuse to bump up the price of existing smart savers. Surprised free koru access wasn't chucked in to one of the more expensive options. I'm sure the cost of seat selection will be added to current grabaseat/grabaseat plus bag fares as a way to bump up revenue.
Jun 10, 2014, 7:51 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: ATL
Posts: 186
The more things change, the more stays the same?
Just had a look with what AirNZ already disclosed with this "new product", compared with the current offering (http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/domestic-fares).
Across all fares:
- Now includes a "Standard Seat" selection, where-as the current Seat and Seat+Bag cost $5 extra
- Luggage allowance remained the same across the respective types
- In flight snack seemed to have been canned now (that's a negative)
...
Just had a look with what AirNZ already disclosed with this "new product", compared with the current offering (http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/domestic-fares).
Across all fares:
- Now includes a "Standard Seat" selection, where-as the current Seat and Seat+Bag cost $5 extra
- Luggage allowance remained the same across the respective types
- In flight snack seemed to have been canned now (that's a negative)
...
Jun 10, 2014, 1:17 pm
#15
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,118