Oz to Canada via the US. United or Air Canada in Biz
Jun 26, 2022, 7:40 am
#16
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: AC MM E50 , Former SPG, now Marriott LT Plat
Posts: 6,258
My recommendation would be NZ J > AC J >>> UA J if you want minimal connections, almost any Asian carrier if non-stop is not important..
Back when UA still had International F Class, I preferred AC J class over UA F.
AC J is much better than UA J.
UA's seniority system means you get surly, disinterested, power-tripping, senior-citizen crews on these long haul flights.
Call buttons are resented, and therefore ignored, on UA.
And any empty seats in the J cabin will be filled by upgrades..
Back when UA still had International F Class, I preferred AC J class over UA F.
AC J is much better than UA J.
UA's seniority system means you get surly, disinterested, power-tripping, senior-citizen crews on these long haul flights.
Call buttons are resented, and therefore ignored, on UA.
And any empty seats in the J cabin will be filled by upgrades..
Jun 26, 2022, 9:40 am
#17
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No its not. Maybe 10 years ago, but now the Polaris seat is much better (and thats assuming AC's seat even stays inflated thru the flight)
The food is on par if not worse.
And then there is everything else that comes with flying AC - grumpy disinterested flight attendants, the lack of a functional website/phone line to deal with schedule changes/IRROPS, to the <50% on time performance, and lack of recovery when ineveitably stranded,
As already stated, no Signature Suite on arrival in YVR.
The food is on par if not worse.
And then there is everything else that comes with flying AC - grumpy disinterested flight attendants, the lack of a functional website/phone line to deal with schedule changes/IRROPS, to the <50% on time performance, and lack of recovery when ineveitably stranded,
As already stated, no Signature Suite on arrival in YVR.
Jun 26, 2022, 9:43 am
#18
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Jun 26, 2022, 9:56 am
#19
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Jun 26, 2022, 9:58 am
#20
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Jun 26, 2022, 10:16 am
#21
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If you took a poll, I'm pretty sure the overwhelming majority would prefer the Polaris seat, especially over the Diamond in UA's too-tight configuration.
I do find it amusing that some cite AC's FAs as an advantage over UA . . . while it's been a while since I've flown AC, my experience has been you're even more likely to run into a petty tyrant on AC. Extreme recent example on AC866:
Air Canada Admits British Passengers Were Rounded Up and Hauled Off Flight By Armed Police in Toronto by MISTAKE
I do find it amusing that some cite AC's FAs as an advantage over UA . . . while it's been a while since I've flown AC, my experience has been you're even more likely to run into a petty tyrant on AC. Extreme recent example on AC866:
Air Canada Admits British Passengers Were Rounded Up and Hauled Off Flight By Armed Police in Toronto by MISTAKE
Jun 26, 2022, 10:17 am
#22
Join Date: Jan 2007
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If the OP is starting with YYZ>AKL in 2023, why not YYZ-IAH-AKL on NZ? That would be a no-brainer to me vs. longer routing via YVR and catch the polaris lounge in IAH. I see it in matrix. J service on NZ is basically at Asian carrier standards IMO.
Jun 26, 2022, 10:41 am
#23
Join Date: Jun 2022
Posts: 98
What you will get is comments about today's situation. The only thing certain about March 2023 is it is more likely to be different from today than the same. Better or worse, who knows.
UA's 773 seat for business is probably one of the best available today -- just a note about business seating, it is designed for the single traveler, not couples. That is true for UA and most other carriers. The middle two seats on odd rows for the UA 773, is favored by couple for that aircraft.
The food on UA is not best among carriers, plenty will comment on that.
The crews for most carriers are hit or miss. The Asian carriers tend to have more service orienated crews
A key point, is the aircraft shown today is subject to change, as is the scheduled times, in varying degrees depending on the carrier.
UA's 773 seat for business is probably one of the best available today -- just a note about business seating, it is designed for the single traveler, not couples. That is true for UA and most other carriers. The middle two seats on odd rows for the UA 773, is favored by couple for that aircraft.
The food on UA is not best among carriers, plenty will comment on that.
The crews for most carriers are hit or miss. The Asian carriers tend to have more service orienated crews
A key point, is the aircraft shown today is subject to change, as is the scheduled times, in varying degrees depending on the carrier.
If you took a poll, I'm pretty sure the overwhelming majority would prefer the Polaris seat, especially over the Diamond in UA's too-tight configuration.
I do find it amusing that some cite AC's FAs as an advantage over UA . . . while it's been a while since I've flown AC, my experience has been you're even more likely to run into a petty tyrant on AC. Extreme recent example on AC866:
Air Canada Admits British Passengers Were Rounded Up and Hauled Off Flight By Armed Police in Toronto by MISTAKE
I do find it amusing that some cite AC's FAs as an advantage over UA . . . while it's been a while since I've flown AC, my experience has been you're even more likely to run into a petty tyrant on AC. Extreme recent example on AC866:
Air Canada Admits British Passengers Were Rounded Up and Hauled Off Flight By Armed Police in Toronto by MISTAKE
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jun 26, 2022 at 10:47 am Reason: merged consecutive posts by same member
Jun 26, 2022, 3:11 pm
#24
Join Date: Jul 2005
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That's debatable as well. I don't find NZ close to NH, BR, SQ level, but better than AC/UA.
But regardless of what routing OP chooses, it's a 14h+ flight, I would pick based on schedule and bed comfort and maybe even IFE . At the end, how much food or service will the passenger really experience. If food is really important, then pick AC ex-YVR to dine at Signature Suite. If service is important, pick a NZ flight. OP also never mentioned any considerations for status earning mileage program which may have an influence as well.
But regardless of what routing OP chooses, it's a 14h+ flight, I would pick based on schedule and bed comfort and maybe even IFE . At the end, how much food or service will the passenger really experience. If food is really important, then pick AC ex-YVR to dine at Signature Suite. If service is important, pick a NZ flight. OP also never mentioned any considerations for status earning mileage program which may have an influence as well.