SJC ORD LDR

I'm looking to fly from SFO to AKL this December for a couple weeks. I have yet to book a ticket, but I was wondering if it is worth the extra several hundred to fly in Premium Economy instead of Economy?

Kiwi Flyer

Yes on a 747, not really on 777. Not only do you get a much better seat than economy, but also business class food & drink (albeit with less service than business class).

Why not on 777? Basically the seat is rubbish - they've kept the 3-3-3 layout of economy.

szg

I second Kiwi Flyer. It's not worth on the 777, but it's really worth on the 747.

adl73x

Premium Economy on the 777 is good food eaten with your fellow pax's elbows in your face. You do however get a slightly higher grade of holding pen at LAX.

Nonetheless, annoyed to see it gone on routes across the ditch.

SJC ORD LDR

The SFO - AKL flights are 747s each way. I guess that's a good thing then. Thanks for the advice.

zerbib

LHR-LAX and onwards : not worth the money. I wrote to NZ to inform them of my experience re seats are truely rubbish, it took them 3 weeks to answer a very standard letter and reads as follows :

Dear Mr XXX

Thank you for your email dated 25 October 2008 describing your experience on your recent flights with Air New Zealand.

I am sorry to learn of your disappointment with our Premium Economy product on the 777 aircraft as feedback from many customers is very positive.

In light of the current world aviation / fuel climate, further changes have been necessary within the operation of the airline and both frequency of service and size of aircraft have been reconsidered on a number of network routes.

Nevertheless, it was disappointing to learn that our product and service from the crew on the aircraft did not meet your expectations on this occasion. Please be assured that your feedback has been noted. As we constantly review how our product and service performs on board, we value feedback such as yours, so that we can enhance our service, where possible, to get it to a level that will exceed our customer’s expectations in future.

I am sorry that your recent experience has tarnished your perception of Air New Zealand and thank you for bringing this to our attention. We do appreciate you taking the time to write and express your views.

Yours sincerely


Judy McDermit
Customer Support Specialist

jeffrocowboy

I wonder what you thought they would say? - Dear Mr xxxx - we agree its crap, but as long as people buy the product we do not need to change it.

I think they know full well the limitations of the product and that people are not always satisfied with it. Their acknowledgment of your feedback is the sensible thing from their point of view, when the feedback gets too loud and they assess more money can be made doing something differently I guess they will do that something else.

zerbib

But there are some people who feel the product is good as .. " from many customers is very positive." That is the reason why I posted the letter!

The thread is related to "Is Premium Economy worth the Extra $$?" I gave my feedback vs value for money! If the experience is not good value for money, I will use another one! @:-)

PlnCzy

Sorry, I don't know the maths but would a 2-3-2 configuration in PE on the 777 be such a financial loss leader? Of course, any reduction in seating would result in lower revenue but the loyalty gained, isn't that worth something?

Buzz53

Note that PE prices have just gone up with a new PE booking class. I think they can afford to look at a 2-3-2 configuration and upgrade the product (but I don't run an airline!)

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...25059&page=224

From AUS, there is competition from the new PE in Qantas and Virgin which IMHO will reduce demand as the product is better than NZ.

kiwibigdave

Absolutely.

IF what is important to you is seat recline, pitch, premium check-in, and J class meals.

If seat width is important to you, or if 'cabin ambience' is important and your only aircraft choice is a 777, save your money.

And before anyone else here gets up / back on their high 'never ever on a 777' horse the same logic applies if the question was "Is Business worth the Extra $$?" Plenty of people would say 'never ever', but other might think differently about $5,000 for a flat surface to sleep on for 8 hours ...

everywhere

Well the price increase only affects the north american routes, and does not come into effect until 1 December; but putting that aside I agree entirely with these sentiments: