Premium Economy?
Jan 7, 2015, 7:12 am
#16
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 132
It is amazing to me that NZ charges the same price in most cases regardless of the 200 vs 300 PE.
Jan 7, 2015, 10:22 am
#17
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,131
Having said that I'd jump at the chance to fly economy on a 77E over the 77W or 77R (refit) even if I had to pay more so I didn't feel like a zoo animal.
Jan 7, 2015, 11:54 am
#18
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 132
Well they do charge the same in BP as well, despite the fact you get to fly in an extremely tired seat with terrible IFE (if it's even working).
Having said that I'd jump at the chance to fly economy on a 77E over the 77W or 77R (refit) even if I had to pay more so I didn't feel like a zoo animal.
Having said that I'd jump at the chance to fly economy on a 77E over the 77W or 77R (refit) even if I had to pay more so I didn't feel like a zoo animal.
I think our flights on the AA 763 and HA 332 were (both about 8.5 - 9hrs) were more enjoyable because we had a foot rest. I've heard NZ gives some little round pillow to put your feet on. I hope that is better than nothing...
Jan 8, 2015, 10:28 pm
#20
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2012
Programs: A3, AA. Plasticy things! That give me, y'know, Stuff!
Posts: 6,293
The bulkhead seats are that much better? I recently flew on a AA 738 in the US, and sat a the bulk head in first class. I was rather disappointed because the legroom was not nearly as good as the other 3 1st class rows. My feet hit the wall and couldn't completely stretch out, whereas the other 3 rows allow your legs to go under the seat in front of you giving you more room.
The A seat has a small footwell as if it has a seat in front you could tuck feet into, but the B seat doesn't and despite the expectation of room there really wasn't much usable space IMO because you had to keep moving for pax and crew going by. The seats behind were empty and I ended up just moving there. Much more legroom and far more enjoyable flight once people weren't tripping over my feet.
Jan 9, 2015, 10:31 am
#21
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 132
Thanks for the info. My wife and I are in 25 2 middle seats I believe. We're on the the 2nd of the 2 night flights, which as i noticed via using my expert flyer acct, was typically more empty in both PE and J. I believe we'll be bidding for J, but not sure how much she'll enjoy being separated on the flight (nervous flyer).
Jan 10, 2015, 8:46 am
#23
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Isle of Anglesey
Programs: DL Silver, NZ, VS, HH, IHG Gold, Marriott, Hertz 5*
Posts: 217
We recently traveled LHR--LAX--LHR in Premium Economy on 777-300s ZK-OKR and ZK-OKS.
Along with what others have posted, there are many little differences too.
There is a small pop-out reading light above the hand controller. I use it with my Kindle when the cabin is darkened. There is also the standard reading lamp in the overhead, but I prefer the little one. There are also small LED lights under the seats. They put out just enough light to find something on the floor in a dark cabin.
The bottle of water is a nice touch. In economy it can be some time before the first beverage service.
The PE amenity kit has ear plugs, an eye mask, purple socks, a travel toothbrush and a very small amount of toothpaste.
There are two cabin crew for 42 seats. At busy times one more might come in from another cabin to help out. The crew have more time then they do in economy. Better service and usually they are able to spend time to chat.
Along with what others have posted, there are many little differences too.
There is a small pop-out reading light above the hand controller. I use it with my Kindle when the cabin is darkened. There is also the standard reading lamp in the overhead, but I prefer the little one. There are also small LED lights under the seats. They put out just enough light to find something on the floor in a dark cabin.
The bottle of water is a nice touch. In economy it can be some time before the first beverage service.
The PE amenity kit has ear plugs, an eye mask, purple socks, a travel toothbrush and a very small amount of toothpaste.
There are two cabin crew for 42 seats. At busy times one more might come in from another cabin to help out. The crew have more time then they do in economy. Better service and usually they are able to spend time to chat.
Last edited by AndrewAndDebbie; Jan 10, 2015 at 11:10 am
Jan 10, 2015, 9:37 am
#24
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Isle of Anglesey
Programs: DL Silver, NZ, VS, HH, IHG Gold, Marriott, Hertz 5*
Posts: 217
Another small difference
I always request vegetarian meals. NZ offer VLML (which may dairy and eggs) and VGML strict vegetarian in both classes.
The economy VLML meals I've had were always VGML with some items from the low fat meal. That means diet spread or maybe margarine, no cheese, no milk. Delta does the same thing in economy. Not that it matters. Delta economy meals are inedible.
Premium Economy VLML has real butter and real cheese. PE vegetarian breakfast is a full three courses with both cereal and a hot dish. Crew have told me the meals vary so you probably won't get exactly what we had.
I took photos of the VLML dinner from our LAX-->LHR segment.
Crisp salad with artichoke and some NZ olive oil. Choice of four kinds of fresh bread. I selected the olive bread. Debbie had one each of olive and garlic.
Hard to see, but there was a chunk of cheddar cheese and some crackers. The Fresh fruit was the dessert. All were very tasty.
The main wasn't as good as the rest of the meal. It wasn't bad but was bland and too salty for my taste.
The economy VLML meals I've had were always VGML with some items from the low fat meal. That means diet spread or maybe margarine, no cheese, no milk. Delta does the same thing in economy. Not that it matters. Delta economy meals are inedible.
Premium Economy VLML has real butter and real cheese. PE vegetarian breakfast is a full three courses with both cereal and a hot dish. Crew have told me the meals vary so you probably won't get exactly what we had.
I took photos of the VLML dinner from our LAX-->LHR segment.
Crisp salad with artichoke and some NZ olive oil. Choice of four kinds of fresh bread. I selected the olive bread. Debbie had one each of olive and garlic.
Hard to see, but there was a chunk of cheddar cheese and some crackers. The Fresh fruit was the dessert. All were very tasty.
The main wasn't as good as the rest of the meal. It wasn't bad but was bland and too salty for my taste.
Jan 10, 2015, 11:18 am
#25
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Isle of Anglesey
Programs: DL Silver, NZ, VS, HH, IHG Gold, Marriott, Hertz 5*
Posts: 217
Is it worth it?
I think so.
We've flown Economy on the 772 and 773, skycouch on the 773, and PE on the 773. We also flew PE on the 747 back when they were still on the transatlantic route.
Of all of them, I'd say skycouch isn't worth it for us. Skycouch is often a kids zoo.
Yes we got an empty seat between us but hardly worth the extra money. Only time I think it would be worth it is for a solo traveler who can't sleep in a PE space seat.
We've flown Economy on the 772 and 773, skycouch on the 773, and PE on the 773. We also flew PE on the 747 back when they were still on the transatlantic route.
Of all of them, I'd say skycouch isn't worth it for us. Skycouch is often a kids zoo.
Yes we got an empty seat between us but hardly worth the extra money. Only time I think it would be worth it is for a solo traveler who can't sleep in a PE space seat.
Jan 10, 2015, 2:24 pm
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Boston
Programs: Star Alliance
Posts: 13
I think so.
We've flown Economy on the 772 and 773, skycouch on the 773, and PE on the 773. We also flew PE on the 747 back when they were still on the transatlantic route.
Of all of them, I'd say skycouch isn't worth it for us. Skycouch is often a kids zoo.
Yes we got an empty seat between us but hardly worth the extra money. Only time I think it would be worth it is for a solo traveler who can't sleep in a PE space seat.
We've flown Economy on the 772 and 773, skycouch on the 773, and PE on the 773. We also flew PE on the 747 back when they were still on the transatlantic route.
Of all of them, I'd say skycouch isn't worth it for us. Skycouch is often a kids zoo.
Yes we got an empty seat between us but hardly worth the extra money. Only time I think it would be worth it is for a solo traveler who can't sleep in a PE space seat.
Jan 11, 2015, 10:50 pm
#28
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: NZ Koru
Posts: 6,415
Dinner departing LAX, and breakfast before arriving in AKL.
Jan 12, 2015, 1:38 am
#29
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
Jan 12, 2015, 9:04 am
#30
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
Breakfast in BP was started 2.5 hours on NZ5 21DEC, which was annoying. About 90 minutes on NZ2 08JAN; but many people slept/skipped it. I woke up about 50 minutes before landing and was able to have coffee and fruit.