Interesting that the *A guys are complaining about exactly the same issues.

took LA800 today SYD-AKL in F... I must say it was one of my more disappointing flights ever, having take LAN numerous times before... there was absolutely no service at all.. with one drink served and a "snack" which turned out to be a fruit plate... after serving that 20 minutes after take-off, the flight attendants basically disappeared for the whole duration of the flight... When we were disembarking, some guy from Business Class complained about the horrible food and service, and the in-flight service manager just shrugged and said that the next leg, AKL-SCL would have better food... not what I remembered LAN service to be...

Ignoring service, ie just taking into account seat, space, movies would you select LA800 in F or QF43 in J (similar times) from SYD-AKL?

Of course the seat in LA F is better than QF J... but unless you are horribly jetlagged, you really have no need for a 180 degree flat seat... IFE was pretty horrible as well, with only 4 or 5 movies to choose from.... but the timing of the flight... 11am departure, 4pm arrival, you would think that a proper lunch would be served on the flight.. I will choose QF on this route in the future over LA...

When I took this flight in F b/w SYD and AKL in August 2001 (right after it started), they served a brunch-type meal with a choice of a quiche or the made-to-order sandwich thing that Lan does (or did) in F as a breakfast option. The full meal service was served out of AKL.

For a while Lan had, IMO, the best F meal service in Oneworld. It was good in 2001 and 2002 and got even better in 2003 and 2004. My understanding is that it is now a shadow of its former self (and is limited to only two routes). Such a shame as it really was an excellent service.

Perhaps I might be of some help. I returned from a OW F award last month. I flew LA800 to AKL and returned on QF40 (in J). This was my first time on LA.

I had no difficulty getting the LA segment (even when QF J segments were unavailable SYD-AKL), and F award space was also available on the surrounding dates that LA800 operated. It was a very last minute award, though, booked only about a week before the flights. (I was very very lucky to also get QF F SYD-LAX!). So, I think if you can get Y seats confirmed now you should have a very good chance of seeing J or F award inventory open up much closer to the flight date. J was also pretty empty (probably only around 30% full) on the SYD-AKL segment.

As far as LA's service and seat is concerned... The LA flight attendants were superb (only 2 pax in the F cabin) - incredibly warm and very gracious. The seat reminded me very much of AA's 767-200 F seat, but with longer armrests and AVOD. My only complaint was the meal service. As PresRDC reports, it's a very small (though elegant enough) made-to-order sandwich with the following bread choices (white, multi-grain, or croissant), filling choices (chicken, ham, mozzarella cheese), vegetable choices (tomato, lettuce, avocado) and dressing choices (mustard, mayonnaise, butter). Not really all that filling - but post passengers are continuing on to SCL and will have a much larger meal several hours later. The wine list, though was stellar with 1995 Taittinger Comtes De Champagne and some amazing Chilean wines.

-FlyerBeek

IMHO IFE on LA is better than on QF's domestic config 767's they put on SYD-AKL route these days. Similar number of movies but LA has more other options (shows, games etc) than QF.

As for food, well if I have time (allow say 90 minutes before departure time) I'd visit the new QF first lounge in SYD and have a nice late breakfast in the dining area. No need to leave it to the vagaries of in-flight food.