Air New Zealand Y+ and J. How does it compare

[PineappleSkip]

Well the pain of the demise of AN is fading and the pain of QF airfares is increasing. I just might recant on my 12/9/01 vow never to fly NZ (you b*******s:evil

Just pricing for a holiday BNE-LAX return in the middle of next year in anything but Y, and I've found excellent prices in CO J (NZ metal). Gotta love that AUD.
NZ Y+ is relatively good as well.


However some NZ aircraft options available. What I would appreciate is your advice on the relative merits of NZ's J product in their 777-300, 777-200 and A320 (the former two are options AKL-LAX, the latter two BNE-AKL).

Also your thoughts on NZs Y+ as compared with others, and any speculation on the new 'spaceseat' Y+ product.
Cheers skip

 

[MelUser]

I'm a bit confused by CO flight number on Air NZ metal?

IS CO - Continental? If so , wouldn't they push y ou onto United Planes via Sydney?

 

[PineappleSkip]

IS CO - Continental?

Correct

If so , wouldn't they push you onto United Planes via Sydney?

In the long term I guess they might, but apparently not yet. According to Continental Airlines - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

These airlines are in the process of merging their operations under the name United Airlines. During the integration period, both airlines will, for a time, run separate operations under direction of a combined leadership team of the new parent company based in Chicago.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_Airlines#cite_note-3

Cheers skip

 

[serfty]

The business class seats are currently being removed from the Air NZ 320's and Space+ is being reduced from 35" to 32" and the number of seats halved. The pitch for the rest of the economy only configuration is 30".

See here: New Australia/Pacific Island structure - FlyerTalk Forums

Take the 777 T-T if you can.

 

[PineappleSkip]

The business class seats are currently being removed from the Air NZ 320's and Space+ is being reduced from 35" to 32" and the number of seats halved. The pitch for the rest of the economy only configuration is 30".

See here: New Australia/Pacific Island structure - FlyerTalk Forums

Take the 777 T-T if you can.

Many thanks serfty. An easy choice ... and a nudge in the direction of J. Looking at seatguru, there doesn't appear to be much difference between the 773 and the 772. And I see I also have the option of 747 into SFO although I haven't compared the fares yet. The idea of an upper deck with both J and Y+ seems a bit bizarro...

The idea of being reloaded onto UA is a bit scary:shock:. Any airline who suggests starbucks coffee is a bonus in J sounds dangerous.

Cheers

 

[11sjw]

The idea of being reloaded onto UA is a bit scary:shock:. Any airline who suggests starbucks coffee is a bonus in J sounds dangerous.

Well when your nations idea of coffee is a bucket of something brewed about 5 days ago and the key component is that the entire serving process take no more than 20 seconds Starbucks espresso type coffee seems heavenly by comparison!

 

[trooper]

Umm.. not quite...

Biz is being removed from the 320's.. and Space+ is basically gone...

Space+ and Y+ are not the same thing! (Space+ being more like UA's E+)

The 777 is the best choice by far TT.. and of course has NZ's Y+ seating.. but not Y+ service on the Trans Tasman... elites in Y get those seats as a perk....and unlike UA, NZ gives that perk to ALL Star Golds....

Y+ Transpacific on the 772 is inferior to the 744 (due to seats being no wider than Y, unlike the 744 where they ARE wider )

If you go for Y+... book flights on the 744.. OR if feeling adventurous...the new 773.. which LOOKS good (and that's about all anyone can say at present!)

If in J then, again, the 773 seems to be getting some evolutionary type improvements to the seat...(more of a mattress which will help.. the bed is quite firm)...and supposedly some interesting catering options due to the aircraft having "proper ovens".. whatever that means...:mrgreen:...

... but I've always found the current seat fine on both 744 and 772.. the only difference is the nice quiet "front cabin" on the 744... Rows 1-7....

It is the best "herringbone" config seat I've flown in.. wider and more comfortable than either CX or AC's type.. which are the only others I have experience of....