New route
Apr 5, 2019, 11:50 pm
#47
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: bne
Programs: Velocity Gold, AIRNZ Elite, Qantas Silver ,Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,320
Hong kong
HKG retimed to a mid-morning departure from AKL (1020/1645) for an immediate turnround in HKG to fly back to AKL as the existing NZ80 schedule. I know the overnight flight was popular with a lot of people for onward Asia connections, so a shame that's going.
With the JV and CX's additional flight over New Zealand summer it would have been nice to see from their combined metal a morning, afternoon and overnight departure from AKL and an equivalent afternoon, overnight and morning departure from HKG. At the moment the lack of a morning departure from HKG makes it hard for CX to sell connecting traffic from Europe other than London and Paris, as all of those flights arrive into HKG early morning.
With the JV and CX's additional flight over New Zealand summer it would have been nice to see from their combined metal a morning, afternoon and overnight departure from AKL and an equivalent afternoon, overnight and morning departure from HKG. At the moment the lack of a morning departure from HKG makes it hard for CX to sell connecting traffic from Europe other than London and Paris, as all of those flights arrive into HKG early morning.
Get your work done
Return in the evening
(half price mtr too )
Apr 6, 2019, 2:03 am
#48
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,115
When I say "new seats" I mean new seats of the current design vs a refurb if the seats go swap them out.
The project voilet brand new BP seats with a new design aren't coming until 2023 with the 777 replacement.
There are lots of things NZ do that make no sense.. Refitting the whole fleet with the same seats is one of them.
The project voilet brand new BP seats with a new design aren't coming until 2023 with the 777 replacement.
There are lots of things NZ do that make no sense.. Refitting the whole fleet with the same seats is one of them.
Apr 6, 2019, 2:28 am
#49
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 646
2 aisle for a 1-1-1 config (789) is poor use of space.
This cost seats and revenue.
The only reason I can think of are issues around a non-standard product.
RR Trent engine issues forcing NZ to sub planes made sure of that anyway.
Apr 6, 2019, 6:54 am
#50
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: NZ*G ELT, VA-G
Posts: 3,598
I've always been told one if the reasons NZ were so tied to the current VS seat was the price. Apparently they cost a fraction of the price of something like a Thomson seat.
Why they're refreshing the seats now with the same seats is a total mystery, especially when nobody can say what will be different. I've been asking quite a few people I know and nobody can actually provide any information.
Why they're refreshing the seats now with the same seats is a total mystery, especially when nobody can say what will be different. I've been asking quite a few people I know and nobody can actually provide any information.
Apr 6, 2019, 2:12 pm
#51
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,645
Could be wear & tear or competition factors are passing a quick refresh.
The new design was starting 2022 so most probably still needs regulator sign off, optimisation for mass & production efficiency. Maybe also needs to be put on the test rig to test people sitting on it, reclining, etc. So likely out just isn't ready.
As for an of the shelf product. Why introduce for a short time. Costs around certification on NZ registered aircraft, need staff training, etc.
Maybe when they did the 77W refresh they should have looked at things so to get better use out of the seat.
Also while the Trent issues drag on they will also have to optimise for minimum downtime. If get a new design may require less change as the supporting infrastructure needs changing as well. New wall panels, rerouting of power, AC, etc
The new design was starting 2022 so most probably still needs regulator sign off, optimisation for mass & production efficiency. Maybe also needs to be put on the test rig to test people sitting on it, reclining, etc. So likely out just isn't ready.
As for an of the shelf product. Why introduce for a short time. Costs around certification on NZ registered aircraft, need staff training, etc.
Maybe when they did the 77W refresh they should have looked at things so to get better use out of the seat.
Also while the Trent issues drag on they will also have to optimise for minimum downtime. If get a new design may require less change as the supporting infrastructure needs changing as well. New wall panels, rerouting of power, AC, etc
Last edited by nzkarit; Apr 6, 2019 at 3:15 pm
Apr 6, 2019, 3:12 pm
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: TG*G, NZ*GE, QF G, Accor Gold
Posts: 10,195
Apr 8, 2019, 1:02 am
#53
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: SYD
Programs: Too many golds, no plat: OZ*G, AC*G, NZ*G, VA Gold, QF Gold, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 5,350
The interim 'refresh' smacks of being a marketing-led decision.. so that they can have something to say that they're doing and some superficial change in the meantime while awaiting more substantial changes with the new fleet. I just wonder whether they will fool anyone at all. Was on the 772 in biz a week ago and didn't think the materials seemed particularly tired. The visible wear and tear (which wasn't bad) was on the seat shell and I wonder whether they'd really be replacing those... seems a bit expensive for a short-lived change I would have thought.
Speaking of the new fleet (772 replacement) is that officially now 2023 rather than 2022? Personally I have my fingers crossed for A350s but my gut tells me they'll stay Boeing for long haul.
Speaking of the new fleet (772 replacement) is that officially now 2023 rather than 2022? Personally I have my fingers crossed for A350s but my gut tells me they'll stay Boeing for long haul.
Apr 8, 2019, 1:13 am
#54
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,115
Replacement was always the 2022 financial year so that still includes 2013.
I'll be incredibly surprised if it's not a combination of the new increased MTOW 787-10 and additional 787-9s. Move to A350 is just way too expensive from a fleet perspective.
I'll be incredibly surprised if it's not a combination of the new increased MTOW 787-10 and additional 787-9s. Move to A350 is just way too expensive from a fleet perspective.
Apr 8, 2019, 1:51 am
#55
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Auckland
Programs: NZ*GE / EK*GOLD
Posts: 2,510
Really comes down to who wants it more, Boeing or Airbus... and engines is another contract.
Apr 8, 2019, 1:59 am
#56
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,645
Also depends we're they want to go for 773 replacement, if want a bigger plane for growth, 779 only option. So 7810 for 772 else they will have 789, A359 & 779. They only want two wide body families
Apr 8, 2019, 2:16 am
#57
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,115
I don't think NZ need the 777-9 it's simply too big.
My pick is the -8 replacing the 77W, and while two 777s have been deferred for financial reasons, it may make sense because it'll allow them to opt for the -8 potentially which won't be ready until at least 2023 anyway.
My pick is the -8 replacing the 77W, and while two 777s have been deferred for financial reasons, it may make sense because it'll allow them to opt for the -8 potentially which won't be ready until at least 2023 anyway.
Apr 9, 2019, 12:53 pm
#58
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Plat, NZ Elite, QF Plat
Posts: 1,776
It will likely stay with Boeing. Airbus already know they have NZ with the short haul fleet and for NZ to switch over to long haul Airbus the cost would be huge - which Airbus would need to pay for I’m sure and it probably wouldn’t be worth it for Airbus when they’ll only get a few longhaul planes out of it and they know they already have shorthaul. Not much gain for a lot of work.
Apr 10, 2019, 8:56 pm
#59
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: SYD
Programs: Too many golds, no plat: OZ*G, AC*G, NZ*G, VA Gold, QF Gold, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 5,350
Leaving that aside, is our current understanding that it's calendar year 2023 that we'll see the first of the 777 replacements?