The end of the LAX - LHR route
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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#19
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: NZ *E
Posts: 346
#20
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BLQ / TRG
Programs: NZ*E, UA*1K, QF Plat
Posts: 1,071
UA are rapidly refitting their fleet with a very good J product that leaves Air NZ's product for dead.
AirNZ have not announced a time line for replacing their dated product and are losing business class clients. Air NZ are very much being left behind by competitors.
AirNZ have not announced a time line for replacing their dated product and are losing business class clients. Air NZ are very much being left behind by competitors.
Last edited by WLGNZ; Oct 22, 2019 at 2:50 pm
#21
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: SEA
Programs: NZ Elite (*G)
Posts: 657
I'm very disappointed. They have long been my flight to Europe from the West Coast of the USA. Not only will I have to find a new carrier now (probably Air France or Aer Lingus), it will put my Elite status in jeopardy after next year (and I just received my year 7 Elite card today), as that was one of the routes that always helped ensure I qualify. :-(
#22
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,118
Oh wait..
#23
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,645
They have announced the timeline. New seat is coming with the 787-10 in 2022 and guess the 787-9 will be updated at same time. Guess the 773 is most probably be a toss up with new seat or waiting for 773 replacement.
#24
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,118
While it's sad this is happening it's the reality that only ~30% of pax hoping on NZ1 or NZ2 were flying the whole way.
The LAX - LHR route has been reviewed numerous times over the years and only just survived after it's last review a few years ago. It relies on LAX - LHR loadings to sustain the route and while these are good it is a competitive market and NZ really don't like competing with others. Ending this will allow the return of one 77W which has a lease that expires in late 2020.
The LAX - LHR route has been reviewed numerous times over the years and only just survived after it's last review a few years ago. It relies on LAX - LHR loadings to sustain the route and while these are good it is a competitive market and NZ really don't like competing with others. Ending this will allow the return of one 77W which has a lease that expires in late 2020.
#25
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BLQ / TRG
Programs: NZ*E, UA*1K, QF Plat
Posts: 1,071
Thanks for the timing update. Air NZ can continue to lose premium customers for the next three years while we wait.
#26
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Programs: NZ Elite; QF Platinum; CZ Gold; MU Platinum; Marriott Titanium; Accor Platinum
Posts: 1,467
And on that route, MU leaves at 9pm and NZ leaves at midnight, which is a horrible time to fly (and certainly not a time you would want dinner!)
Also looking at some random dates next year business AKL-LHR-AKL is running around NZ$6k for CX, CZ and MH and EK at $7k. NZ is $11k....
#27
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,118
An example, next week I am flying China Eastern to Shanghai in their 787-9 which has individual suites with doors (keen to check it out). About 30%-40% of the cost of NZ on the same route. I understand food and service offerings are worse but its a night flight where sleep is important.
And on that route, MU leaves at 9pm and NZ leaves at midnight, which is a horrible time to fly (and certainly not a time you would want dinner!)
Also looking at some random dates next year business AKL-LHR-AKL is running around NZ$6k for CX, CZ and MH and EK at $7k. NZ is $11k....
And on that route, MU leaves at 9pm and NZ leaves at midnight, which is a horrible time to fly (and certainly not a time you would want dinner!)
Also looking at some random dates next year business AKL-LHR-AKL is running around NZ$6k for CX, CZ and MH and EK at $7k. NZ is $11k....
#28
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,118
But they've also announced the full 777/789 fleet BP seat refresh a few months ago that starts next month alongside the new Economy Stretch seats.
#30
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: SEA
Programs: NZ Elite (*G)
Posts: 657
And that's the thing that lots of people including a few people above who talk about Air NZ losing premium customers simply can't comprehend.. Air NZ are not losing premium pax - they're growing premium pax numbers despite having an inferior product that they're able to charge significantly more for than most other airlines.