ZK-NBV final Air NZ 744 flight
Sep 11, 2014, 1:27 pm
#1
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ZK-NBV final Air NZ 744 flight
ZK-NBV flew NZ7 to Auckland this morning for it's last ever flight. Word is it's been sold and will be refitted to an all economy layout, so at least it still has a future and won't be turned into Coke cans or parked up.
One thing that has been interesting has been some whispers lately they Air NZ are looking at the 748. Officially this has been denied, but Boeing are desperate to at least sell some more of these, and the extra seats do make it the perfect fit for the SFO and LAX routes.
If Air NZ could get a couple of these for a steal it could possibly be a good fit. The question is just whether having a couple of a single type stacks up.
One thing that has been interesting has been some whispers lately they Air NZ are looking at the 748. Officially this has been denied, but Boeing are desperate to at least sell some more of these, and the extra seats do make it the perfect fit for the SFO and LAX routes.
If Air NZ could get a couple of these for a steal it could possibly be a good fit. The question is just whether having a couple of a single type stacks up.
Sep 11, 2014, 2:06 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2012
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The 748 production line tour was VERY quiet compared to 777 and 787. They were talking it up of course. I imagine they are good buying.
Sep 11, 2014, 2:15 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2005
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In this industry I am usually reluctant to say "never!", however, I think I am safe to say it on this occasion.
Air New Zealand have talked very loudly about the efficiencies in reducing 5 mainline pilot groups ( 737/747/767/777/A320) to just two ( A320 and a combined 777/787 group).
I cannot think of any advantage the 747-8 would bring to the NZ fleet ( other than "it looks nice" , which doesn't translate into $$$$$). Don't hold your breath waiting to see another quad in the NZ fleet, in my opinion.
Air New Zealand have talked very loudly about the efficiencies in reducing 5 mainline pilot groups ( 737/747/767/777/A320) to just two ( A320 and a combined 777/787 group).
I cannot think of any advantage the 747-8 would bring to the NZ fleet ( other than "it looks nice" , which doesn't translate into $$$$$). Don't hold your breath waiting to see another quad in the NZ fleet, in my opinion.
Sep 12, 2014, 3:18 am
#5
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I'm sad as well, I first flew on an NZ 747 in 1997 on NZ2, and have lost count of the times I flew on NZ2/NZ1, NZ6/NZ5, NZ7/NZ8 and for the period it operated NZ38/NZ39 on the big birds.
From the Pacific Wave business class on the upper deck and downstairs (NZ's 767 business class is what remains of that), the 34" economy class downstairs (without personal video IFE of course) and about half a dozen times in First Class in the nose (the last time with actual first class service being an op-up on a full NZ1 from LAX when the 2nd LOTR movie was having its premier in Wellington, with the First Class cabin otherwise full of celebrities like Liv Tyler and Dominic Monaghan).
Those were the days when NZ1/2 operated from T3 at LHR using the United lounges that are now BA lounges, and the LAX NZ lounge was half its current size. However, they were also the days when the Business Class catering involved trolleys with grand plates of a wide selection of fruits, cheeses and desserts, where you could point out what you wanted and it got plated for you. The flipside is the 10 channel rolling selection of films and TV shows on the tiny IFE screen that flipped up, and reclining to an angle of 40 degrees or so (and first only going fully flat when a row was removed around 1999).
After the end of First Class there was the delight of always getting the nose when booking Business (or being upgraded with Gold/Gold Elite upgrade vouchers or airpoints upgrades) whilst being a Gold Elite, so having first class seats with Business Premier service. The last refurbishment was a distinct improvement and brought us premium economy, promptly expanded downstairs with a mini cabin that was quite pleasant. I never flew NZ in economy with the most recent configuration on the 744s, but there was always something special about flying in the nose in BP. It was also a time when you could sometimes find yourself with a celebrity discreetly flying NZ1/2 between LAX and LHR, enjoying this quiet low density cabin.
No 777 comes close... not as private, not as fast, not as impressive to watch, and certainly in Y - not as comfortable.
The end of an era, and almost the end of an era for New Zealand with 747s as passenger aircraft.
I doubt the passing of the 767s or 737s will be quite so missed, although the latter including their two previous generations, were transformative for NZ, ultimately being the death knell for railways as a key form of business travel, but that's another story.
From the Pacific Wave business class on the upper deck and downstairs (NZ's 767 business class is what remains of that), the 34" economy class downstairs (without personal video IFE of course) and about half a dozen times in First Class in the nose (the last time with actual first class service being an op-up on a full NZ1 from LAX when the 2nd LOTR movie was having its premier in Wellington, with the First Class cabin otherwise full of celebrities like Liv Tyler and Dominic Monaghan).
Those were the days when NZ1/2 operated from T3 at LHR using the United lounges that are now BA lounges, and the LAX NZ lounge was half its current size. However, they were also the days when the Business Class catering involved trolleys with grand plates of a wide selection of fruits, cheeses and desserts, where you could point out what you wanted and it got plated for you. The flipside is the 10 channel rolling selection of films and TV shows on the tiny IFE screen that flipped up, and reclining to an angle of 40 degrees or so (and first only going fully flat when a row was removed around 1999).
After the end of First Class there was the delight of always getting the nose when booking Business (or being upgraded with Gold/Gold Elite upgrade vouchers or airpoints upgrades) whilst being a Gold Elite, so having first class seats with Business Premier service. The last refurbishment was a distinct improvement and brought us premium economy, promptly expanded downstairs with a mini cabin that was quite pleasant. I never flew NZ in economy with the most recent configuration on the 744s, but there was always something special about flying in the nose in BP. It was also a time when you could sometimes find yourself with a celebrity discreetly flying NZ1/2 between LAX and LHR, enjoying this quiet low density cabin.
No 777 comes close... not as private, not as fast, not as impressive to watch, and certainly in Y - not as comfortable.
The end of an era, and almost the end of an era for New Zealand with 747s as passenger aircraft.
I doubt the passing of the 767s or 737s will be quite so missed, although the latter including their two previous generations, were transformative for NZ, ultimately being the death knell for railways as a key form of business travel, but that's another story.
Sep 12, 2014, 3:41 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2007
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On the other hand the 767 was the main aircarft for being growing up.
Sep 12, 2014, 6:27 pm
#9
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I'm sad as well, I first flew on an NZ 747 in 1997 on NZ2, and have lost count of the times I flew on NZ2/NZ1, NZ6/NZ5, NZ7/NZ8 and for the period it operated NZ38/NZ39 on the big birds.
From the Pacific Wave business class on the upper deck and downstairs (NZ's 767 business class is what remains of that), the 34" economy class downstairs (without personal video IFE of course) and about half a dozen times in First Class in the nose (the last time with actual first class service being an op-up on a full NZ1 from LAX when the 2nd LOTR movie was having its premier in Wellington, with the First Class cabin otherwise full of celebrities like Liv Tyler and Dominic Monaghan).
Those were the days when NZ1/2 operated from T3 at LHR using the United lounges that are now BA lounges, and the LAX NZ lounge was half its current size. However, they were also the days when the Business Class catering involved trolleys with grand plates of a wide selection of fruits, cheeses and desserts, where you could point out what you wanted and it got plated for you. The flipside is the 10 channel rolling selection of films and TV shows on the tiny IFE screen that flipped up, and reclining to an angle of 40 degrees or so (and first only going fully flat when a row was removed around 1999).
After the end of First Class there was the delight of always getting the nose when booking Business (or being upgraded with Gold/Gold Elite upgrade vouchers or airpoints upgrades) whilst being a Gold Elite, so having first class seats with Business Premier service. The last refurbishment was a distinct improvement and brought us premium economy, promptly expanded downstairs with a mini cabin that was quite pleasant. I never flew NZ in economy with the most recent configuration on the 744s, but there was always something special about flying in the nose in BP. It was also a time when you could sometimes find yourself with a celebrity discreetly flying NZ1/2 between LAX and LHR, enjoying this quiet low density cabin.
No 777 comes close... not as private, not as fast, not as impressive to watch, and certainly in Y - not as comfortable.
The end of an era, and almost the end of an era for New Zealand with 747s as passenger aircraft.
I doubt the passing of the 767s or 737s will be quite so missed, although the latter including their two previous generations, were transformative for NZ, ultimately being the death knell for railways as a key form of business travel, but that's another story.
From the Pacific Wave business class on the upper deck and downstairs (NZ's 767 business class is what remains of that), the 34" economy class downstairs (without personal video IFE of course) and about half a dozen times in First Class in the nose (the last time with actual first class service being an op-up on a full NZ1 from LAX when the 2nd LOTR movie was having its premier in Wellington, with the First Class cabin otherwise full of celebrities like Liv Tyler and Dominic Monaghan).
Those were the days when NZ1/2 operated from T3 at LHR using the United lounges that are now BA lounges, and the LAX NZ lounge was half its current size. However, they were also the days when the Business Class catering involved trolleys with grand plates of a wide selection of fruits, cheeses and desserts, where you could point out what you wanted and it got plated for you. The flipside is the 10 channel rolling selection of films and TV shows on the tiny IFE screen that flipped up, and reclining to an angle of 40 degrees or so (and first only going fully flat when a row was removed around 1999).
After the end of First Class there was the delight of always getting the nose when booking Business (or being upgraded with Gold/Gold Elite upgrade vouchers or airpoints upgrades) whilst being a Gold Elite, so having first class seats with Business Premier service. The last refurbishment was a distinct improvement and brought us premium economy, promptly expanded downstairs with a mini cabin that was quite pleasant. I never flew NZ in economy with the most recent configuration on the 744s, but there was always something special about flying in the nose in BP. It was also a time when you could sometimes find yourself with a celebrity discreetly flying NZ1/2 between LAX and LHR, enjoying this quiet low density cabin.
No 777 comes close... not as private, not as fast, not as impressive to watch, and certainly in Y - not as comfortable.
The end of an era, and almost the end of an era for New Zealand with 747s as passenger aircraft.
I doubt the passing of the 767s or 737s will be quite so missed, although the latter including their two previous generations, were transformative for NZ, ultimately being the death knell for railways as a key form of business travel, but that's another story.
Sep 12, 2014, 6:30 pm
#10
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BTW your flight memory appears to be disabled for public view.
Sep 13, 2014, 1:33 am
#12
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I still love the 763 as an aircraft but you are correct, nobody will miss them ..except if you're stuck in Y where 2-3-2 is actually great for longhaul with good legroom and space compared to the 77W and 77E refit.
Sep 13, 2014, 9:40 pm
#13
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Figure I may ask around here...in Spring of 2005 LAX-AKL what would the plane have been? I flew down to go to Lake Taupo to race the Ironman and I'm just trying to fill out some of the old FlightMemory website that I have on older flights I remember taking but never paying much attention to what we were actually sitting on. 
Sep 13, 2014, 10:17 pm
#14
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Figure I may ask around here...in Spring of 2005 LAX-AKL what would the plane have been? I flew down to go to Lake Taupo to race the Ironman and I'm just trying to fill out some of the old FlightMemory website that I have on older flights I remember taking but never paying much attention to what we were actually sitting on.
Sep 14, 2014, 5:06 am
#15
Join Date: Sep 2014
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New to flyertalk, but would have lost count of the times I have flown on Air NZ's 747 aircraft, mostly in J when I worked in an export role in the seafood industry, to US, Asia and Europe. Sad to see the last one go.