CHC-AKL 789 questions
Jul 1, 2018, 1:29 am
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,441
CHC-AKL 789 questions
A search didn’t reveal any obvious answers. I can see a 789 operating CHC - AKl and had a couple of questions
* are the business/PE sears selectable as a *Gold for free, or do they incur a charge like exits on the A320
* any risk of this being swapped out?
* any pitfalls to this flight eg bussing at both ends
Thanks!
* are the business/PE sears selectable as a *Gold for free, or do they incur a charge like exits on the A320
* any risk of this being swapped out?
* any pitfalls to this flight eg bussing at both ends
Thanks!
Jul 1, 2018, 2:14 am
#3
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,026
Jul 1, 2018, 2:16 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Auckland
Programs: NZ*E
Posts: 186
J seats are now $50 (used to be $30) to reserve, obviously without any service increase. PE, as above, is free for *G
With regard to arrival and departure, for domestic 787/777 flights you must check in an hour beforehand and it is definitely a bus gate in Auckland.
Jul 1, 2018, 3:31 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: Air NZ Koru, Air NZ ELT *G, IHG Spire Ambassador, Emirates, Flying Blue, QANTAS Club
Posts: 424
No idea. Probably need the aircraft somewhere else. I have never actually managed to fly on a 787-9 in all the flying I do. But there is hope. Off to Houston on Thursday so there is a chance!
Business class seat locked in!
Business class seat locked in!
Jul 1, 2018, 4:53 am
#7
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: TG*G, NZ*GE, QF G, Accor Gold
Posts: 10,207
I have done 2 of these recently (2x CHC-AKL).
First was in PE as *G - free selection of PE seats at booking. Was swapped for 77W. I noted that there was free selection available for J seats at T-48 - but I wanted to tr the PE seat. Found he PE leg rest not that useful/comfortable - I had expected the fold out metal part at the end of the rest to be gently extendable under a spring load - not possible.
Second was in J, paid $30. Stayed as a 789. I found the J seat more narrow than the 77W/772 - and I am a medium sized 1.7m.
First was in PE as *G - free selection of PE seats at booking. Was swapped for 77W. I noted that there was free selection available for J seats at T-48 - but I wanted to tr the PE seat. Found he PE leg rest not that useful/comfortable - I had expected the fold out metal part at the end of the rest to be gently extendable under a spring load - not possible.
Second was in J, paid $30. Stayed as a 789. I found the J seat more narrow than the 77W/772 - and I am a medium sized 1.7m.
Jul 1, 2018, 7:52 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,119
The cancellations are because the aircraft are needed elsewhere. When this was announced the new 789 issue didn't exist.
The actual reasons for these aircraft being on the route are complex but ultimately are because of the ATR crew shortages and the affect this would have had on the WLG-CHC route.
The actual reasons for these aircraft being on the route are complex but ultimately are because of the ATR crew shortages and the affect this would have had on the WLG-CHC route.
Jul 2, 2018, 3:27 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2013
Programs: NZ Airpoints GE, Qantas Platinum, Accor Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 967
The wide-body (I have flown on 787s, 772s and 77Ws - it is a 772 this morning) service to AKL, as correctly stated, provides cover for busier A320 schedules. I prefer the PE seats on the flight rather than the business premier seats - plenty room for the short ride. NZ still unsure whether they have the fleet to operate this from October onwards, but I enjoy the experience and the bussing is not too painful, especially if you are up front as you get off pretty quickly. It always surprises me that NZ don't disembark via forward and rear doors in this instance.
Jul 3, 2018, 2:12 am
#10
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,119
They should have enough ATR crews again by October to reinstate a full ATR schedule on the WLG-CHC route so that will free up an A320 to go back on the CHC-AKL route.
There are also the 2x TT A320s moving across to domestic once the A321s arrive so that will improve domestic jet capacity.
There are also the 2x TT A320s moving across to domestic once the A321s arrive so that will improve domestic jet capacity.