Quandary - Air NZ vs Air Canada YUL-AKL
Oct 18, 2019, 8:20 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: NZ*G
Posts: 42
Quandary - Air NZ vs Air Canada YUL-AKL
Opinions please - looking to fly home at Christmas for 8-9 days, options are NZ vs AC. Will be premium economy one way and economy the other, cost is slightly more (~$200 CAD) on NZ. I have a couple of RU's to burn on NZ, however I'll get the chance to use later in the year if not on this trip. Airpoints / Status points look similar (slightly more on Air NZ). I'm pushed towards AC because the scheduling is better (short YVR layover each way) and will get premium economy on the YUL-YVR leg as well (at 5.5 hours this is probably worth it). Any other reason to pick NZ?
Oct 18, 2019, 8:31 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,995
5.5 hrs in PE is better than 5.5 hrs in Y
Can you buy an more legroom/exit row economy seat on Air Canada? [$200?]
Any options with other airlines? (Not Star Alliance?)
Is AKL the final destination?
Great Circle Mapper
Can you buy an more legroom/exit row economy seat on Air Canada? [$200?]
Any options with other airlines? (Not Star Alliance?)
Is AKL the final destination?
Great Circle Mapper
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Oct 19, 2019 at 12:09 am
Oct 19, 2019, 3:05 am
#3
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
On the other hand AirNZ PE is substantially better than AC PE (which I've not flown, but it's clear from the trip reports). NZ has far more pitch and recline, and service level and amenities are more business lite vs AC's much more middle of the road AC offering.
Oct 19, 2019, 9:04 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: NZ*G
Posts: 42
5.5 hrs in PE is better than 5.5 hrs in Y
Can you buy an more legroom/exit row economy seat on Air Canada? [$200?]
Any options with other airlines? (Not Star Alliance?)
Is AKL the final destination?
Great Circle Mapper
Can you buy an more legroom/exit row economy seat on Air Canada? [$200?]
Any options with other airlines? (Not Star Alliance?)
Is AKL the final destination?
Great Circle Mapper
Google flights suggest that non-*A is only marginally cheaper.
Oct 20, 2019, 5:39 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: NZ*G
Posts: 42
Oct 21, 2019, 10:18 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Sun Peaks, Taupo.
Programs: NZ Elite, AC SE100K, Westjet Teal, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 6,127
Air Canada's Premium Economy is Economy Plus at best.
No curtain between PY & Y.
Shared bathroom with Y.
Economy meal and service, just served first.
No drink service.
Less legroom and recline that NZ.
I have flown AC an NZ PY this year, so feel well qualified to compare the two.
If you book AC Y+, expect economy with more leg room.
If you book NZ PY, expect substantially more leg room, more width, premium service, dedicated cabin.
At 6'4", NZ's PY is very comfortable, AC not at all.
No curtain between PY & Y.
Shared bathroom with Y.
Economy meal and service, just served first.
No drink service.
Less legroom and recline that NZ.
I have flown AC an NZ PY this year, so feel well qualified to compare the two.
If you book AC Y+, expect economy with more leg room.
If you book NZ PY, expect substantially more leg room, more width, premium service, dedicated cabin.
At 6'4", NZ's PY is very comfortable, AC not at all.
Oct 22, 2019, 11:21 am
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2019
Programs: UA 1k AC 50k BA gold
Posts: 121
NZ has fallen apart, its living on its reputation, I just did two trips in J USA-SYD on NZ and its a disaster.
However for your PY certainly NZ has more space but you trade off with Economy in Canada.
Come with low expectations and you will be fine.
However for your PY certainly NZ has more space but you trade off with Economy in Canada.
Come with low expectations and you will be fine.
Oct 22, 2019, 3:17 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: NZ*G
Posts: 42
Air Canada's Premium Economy is Economy Plus at best.
No curtain between PY & Y.
Shared bathroom with Y.
Economy meal and service, just served first.
No drink service.
Less legroom and recline that NZ.
I have flown AC an NZ PY this year, so feel well qualified to compare the two.
If you book AC Y+, expect economy with more leg room.
If you book NZ PY, expect substantially more leg room, more width, premium service, dedicated cabin.
At 6'4", NZ's PY is very comfortable, AC not at all.
No curtain between PY & Y.
Shared bathroom with Y.
Economy meal and service, just served first.
No drink service.
Less legroom and recline that NZ.
I have flown AC an NZ PY this year, so feel well qualified to compare the two.
If you book AC Y+, expect economy with more leg room.
If you book NZ PY, expect substantially more leg room, more width, premium service, dedicated cabin.
At 6'4", NZ's PY is very comfortable, AC not at all.
Oct 23, 2019, 3:49 am
#13
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 57
Air Canada's Premium Economy is Economy Plus at best.
No curtain between PY & Y.
Shared bathroom with Y.
Economy meal and service, just served first.
No drink service.
Less legroom and recline that NZ.
I have flown AC an NZ PY this year, so feel well qualified to compare the two.
If you book AC Y+, expect economy with more leg room.
If you book NZ PY, expect substantially more leg room, more width, premium service, dedicated cabin.
At 6'4", NZ's PY is very comfortable, AC not at all.
No curtain between PY & Y.
Shared bathroom with Y.
Economy meal and service, just served first.
No drink service.
Less legroom and recline that NZ.
I have flown AC an NZ PY this year, so feel well qualified to compare the two.
If you book AC Y+, expect economy with more leg room.
If you book NZ PY, expect substantially more leg room, more width, premium service, dedicated cabin.
At 6'4", NZ's PY is very comfortable, AC not at all.