Dec 24, 2015, 2:08 pm
Last edit by: Mwenenzi
American Begins LAX - AKL / Auckland, New Zealand 788 Flights 23 June 2016
No flights 5 August 2017 and 5 October 2017 Refer to post 230 link.
American’s Los Angeles to Auckland flight will be suspended from August to October, and will then be upgraded from a 787-8 to a 787-9
Departs LAX at 10:45 p.m.
Arrives at AKL at 6:35 a.m., two days later
AKL-LAX
Departs AKL at 1:20 p.m.
Arrives at LAX at 6:20 a.m., same day
Enhanced service includes mattress pads, pajamas and new meals items in Business Class.
If tonight's sampling at the launch event was an accurate preview, then here's the menu they provided for LAX-AKL:
Canape:
Salmon Caviar Tartlet
Main Plates:
Grilled Beef Filet, balsamic butter, twice baked potato, baby squash
Eggplant Lasagne, pomodoro sauce
Pesto Grilled Shrimp
Dessert:
Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream (Cherry Garcia, Chocolate Brownie, Strawberry Cheesecake)
Mid-Flight Snack:
Angus Beef Slider
White Wine:
Mt. Beautiful Sauvignon Blanc, North Canterbury, NZ
Red Wine:
Opawa Pinot Noir, Marlborough, NZ
Canape:
Salmon Caviar Tartlet
Main Plates:
Grilled Beef Filet, balsamic butter, twice baked potato, baby squash
Eggplant Lasagne, pomodoro sauce
Pesto Grilled Shrimp
Dessert:
Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream (Cherry Garcia, Chocolate Brownie, Strawberry Cheesecake)
Mid-Flight Snack:
Angus Beef Slider
White Wine:
Mt. Beautiful Sauvignon Blanc, North Canterbury, NZ
Red Wine:
Opawa Pinot Noir, Marlborough, NZ
Nov. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- American Airlines will add new nonstop service between its trans-Pacific gateway hub at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Auckland Airport (AKL) in June 2016, pending regulatory approvals. The route to Auckland provides American's customers direct access to a new destination and further strengthens the airline's joint business with Qantas Airways. American has added six new trans-Pacific routes over the last three years, nearly doubling its presence in the region...
...American plans to operate its new daily service between LAX and AKL with the newest addition to its fleet, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The Dreamliner features a state-of-the-art onboard travel experience including international Wi-Fi, as well as higher humidity and pressurization closer to sea level conditions, leaving customers more refreshed after their flight. Every seat has a touchscreen monitor equipped with up to 260 movies, 240 TV shows, 13 radio channels, 350 albums and 20 games, along with universal AC power outlets and a USB connection. The aircraft is configured with 28 fully lie-flat Business Class seats, each with direct-aisle access. There are an additional 55 Main Cabin Extra seats with extra legroom, and 143 Main Cabin seats. Link
...American plans to operate its new daily service between LAX and AKL with the newest addition to its fleet, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The Dreamliner features a state-of-the-art onboard travel experience including international Wi-Fi, as well as higher humidity and pressurization closer to sea level conditions, leaving customers more refreshed after their flight. Every seat has a touchscreen monitor equipped with up to 260 movies, 240 TV shows, 13 radio channels, 350 albums and 20 games, along with universal AC power outlets and a USB connection. The aircraft is configured with 28 fully lie-flat Business Class seats, each with direct-aisle access. There are an additional 55 Main Cabin Extra seats with extra legroom, and 143 Main Cabin seats. Link
Link to Australian Business Traveller article.
AA: service to Auckland, N. Z. / LAX-AKL as of 23 Jun 2016 (master thd)
Sep 27, 2016, 2:55 pm
#182
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Durham, NC USA
Programs: AA EXP and 1MM, UA 1K, HH Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 424
LAX-AKL
Departs LAX at 10:45 p.m.
Arrives at AKL at 6:35 a.m., two days later
AKL-LAX
Departs AKL at 1:20 p.m.
Arrives at LAX at 6:20 a.m., same day
Enhanced service includes mattress pads, pajamas and new meals items in Business Class.
Sep 27, 2016, 3:31 pm
#183
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Programs: SQ*PPS NZ*G Elite QF*G
Posts: 12
Decided to try this service CHC-AKL-LAX return in business on a recent itinerary to compare with Air New Zealand's offering, with which I am very familiar.
Pros:
Now come the cons:
On balance, the longhaul leg is comparable, but the options at either end ruin the experience, and Air New Zealand definitely still has the edge.
Of course, it's still better than United!
The flight looked pretty full though, so Air New Zealand is definitely going to be feeling the competition on this route -- and about time.
Pros:
- Cabin equipment is comparable in terms of comfort. Seat converts to bed without having to flip right over, so you can go from sleeping to sitting without getting up.
- Menu was reasonable.
- IFE had good selection of movies and TV; more new releases than Air NZ typically offers.
Now come the cons:
- The lack of good domestic connection options within the code-share pool is a deal-breaker. Oneworld connection from CHC to AKL is with Jetstar, which is a rubbish customer experience from beginning to end. Because of this alone, I would not book this service again unless I could get a CHC-AKL/AKL-CHC connection on Air New Zealand, although that breaks the ability to get boarding passes etc in advance.
- Use of Jetstar means no lounge access at the CHC departure point and no lounge access in AKL on the return leg to CHC after the long-haul sector.
- Use of Jetstar means an annoying walk with luggage from the international to the domestic terminal in Auckland on the return leg, plus a checkin and bagdrop in the zoo that is Jetstar domestic Auckland.
- As expected, Jetstar ran late (60 minutes) on the return leg because their checkin system had crashed.
- LAX-AKL departs from Terminal 4, where the business lounge is the AA Admirals club, which is a poor cousin to both Star Alliance and Oneworld lounges in Tom Bradley terminal. $9 for a beer (!!), and no complimentary hot food items. It's undergoing a major overhaul, so this will improve I guess.
- AA FAs are friendly but the service overall isn't as smooth as Air New Zealand in a hundred small ways. No offer to assist with bedding, patchy service on refreshments, and a missed wakeup call for breakfast.
On balance, the longhaul leg is comparable, but the options at either end ruin the experience, and Air New Zealand definitely still has the edge.
Of course, it's still better than United!
The flight looked pretty full though, so Air New Zealand is definitely going to be feeling the competition on this route -- and about time.
Last edited by bleater; Sep 27, 2016 at 3:41 pm
Sep 27, 2016, 4:06 pm
#184
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Australia / USA
Programs: AS 100K, UA 1K, VA Platinum, HA Platinum, QF Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Gold
Posts: 414
With a recommendation like that guess I'll be eating in the OneWorld lounge before I board the plane!
I'm flying the same route in 2 weeks (for work) and it's the only vegetarian option then too. Is it the same on the return or do they offer something different? Wish they'd follow Qantas's lead and do Indian Vegetarian...
I'm flying the same route in 2 weeks (for work) and it's the only vegetarian option then too. Is it the same on the return or do they offer something different? Wish they'd follow Qantas's lead and do Indian Vegetarian...
The eastbound offering for October certainly looks more appetizing. At same time, its lack luster in comparison to the meat options. Clearly, Im biased since I am a meat eater and prefer more wholesome, gourmet meals. A simple pasta with some vegetables stirred in just seems so lazy and dull. On other hand, the pasta should be filling and you'll also have a small salad to start (the other starter is a chicken spring roll). And then you'll have a made to order sundae and/or cheese platter. Theres also the mezze platter too (pictured below). I think theres enough in the carts to fill you up regardless of how hungry you are!
Oct 10, 2016, 3:36 pm
#187
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,643
In my opinion there has been a shortage of nonstop seats from US to NZ. Both UA and AA adding service and going out full on most dates seems to support my hypothesis. Hopefully this will have a positive impact on fares and we will see more competitive US->AKL fares over time.
NZ is still the class act of the bunch, my experience was very positive as expected.
Nov 14, 2016, 9:03 am
#189
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: UA
Posts: 384
Just flew this. Was way too overconfident with SWU's (I needed to burn them) and barely made it, but there were 10+ people on the list who didn't get the upgrade. I would book paid J on this trip if you want to fly in a premium cabin. I really wonder whether AA should consider upgrading this route to 787-9, given the premium cabin demand.
Nov 14, 2016, 10:50 am
#190
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 2,055
The 789 only adds 3 premium seats and actually has a lower premium maximum load factor vs the 788. Not the solution you're looking for I think.
789: 30/285 = 10.5% premium seats
788: 27/225 = 12.0%
773: 60/310 = 19.4%
772: 44/259 = 17%
763: 27/204 = 13.2%
333: 27/286 = 9.4%
332: 19/253 = 7.5%
789: 30/285 = 10.5% premium seats
788: 27/225 = 12.0%
773: 60/310 = 19.4%
772: 44/259 = 17%
763: 27/204 = 13.2%
333: 27/286 = 9.4%
332: 19/253 = 7.5%
Nov 14, 2016, 12:38 pm
#191
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: UA
Posts: 384
The 789 only adds 3 premium seats and actually has a lower premium maximum load factor vs the 788. Not the solution you're looking for I think.
789: 30/285 = 10.5% premium seats
788: 27/225 = 12.0%
773: 60/310 = 19.4%
772: 44/259 = 17%
763: 27/204 = 13.2%
333: 27/286 = 9.4%
332: 19/253 = 7.5%
789: 30/285 = 10.5% premium seats
788: 27/225 = 12.0%
773: 60/310 = 19.4%
772: 44/259 = 17%
763: 27/204 = 13.2%
333: 27/286 = 9.4%
332: 19/253 = 7.5%
Nov 14, 2016, 1:11 pm
#192
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Australia / USA
Programs: AS 100K, UA 1K, VA Platinum, HA Platinum, QF Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Gold
Posts: 414
Just flew this. Was way too overconfident with SWU's (I needed to burn them) and barely made it, but there were 10+ people on the list who didn't get the upgrade. I would book paid J on this trip if you want to fly in a premium cabin. I really wonder whether AA should consider upgrading this route to 787-9, given the premium cabin demand.
Nov 15, 2016, 12:07 pm
#193
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 2,055
Hmm, I don't believe so. AA operates the 777 on LAX-PVG which is almost as long as LAX-AKL. The biggest restriction, I imagine, would be the ETOPS diversion requirements for AKL vs PVG.
Nov 15, 2016, 1:48 pm
#194
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Alexandria, Longboat Key
Programs: UA Gold Marriott Gold AA Gold Choice Gold Wyndham PLAT IHG PLAT Avis President's Club Amtrak Select
Posts: 2,263
With AA moving the 772s off longer routes in favour of the 787-8 and soon to be the 787-9, its very unlikely to see the 772 on LAX-AKL. An upgauge to the 787-9 is the most likely scenario if AA believes its necessary due to higher capacity.
Dec 22, 2016, 10:20 am
#195
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Sydney, NSW Australia
Posts: 895
UAL are currently operating a 772 on the LAX-AKL route - I think they wanted the 787 aeroplane for a different route. (LAX-TEL?) About a decade ago when UAL downguaged from a 744 they operated a 772 which (IIRC) flew possibly the longest ETOPS one engine flight in history of about 3 hours ex AKL to HNL.