Air New Zealand - New Trans-Tasman and Pacific Island Structures

[Pvcmenace]

I booked half of the J seats on a a320 flight from AKL-APW it was september 09 the rest of the cabin was full, i liked the service, loved check in at AKL. Only complaint they did not turn on IFE and one of the seats had no padding in the back. Still better than FJ though no QF FF.

 

[garyjohn951]

I am not surprised, especially to Christchurch. The only competition they had from Melbourne is the VW service - ie Deathstar. A seat and pay for everything.

At lease with NZ you get points etc, Deathstar - nothing

 

[brett-au]

Uh, I'm a little confused.

We currently have
saver
flexi saver
flexi

which has
no points/dollars & no flexibility
points/dollars & no flexibility
points/dollars & flexibility

Does that now mean we have 12 options?

Can I earn points and have flexibility and just book the seat with out a bag and a meal? And the exact other extreme, my company can book me the deluxe works package on a no point no flex ticket?

hmm

 

[dajop]

Uh, I'm a little confused.

We currently have
saver
flexi saver
flexi

which has
no points/dollars & no flexibility
points/dollars & no flexibility
points/dollars & flexibility

One suspects the seat and seat+bag options will come without points. But who knows, every fare on DJ & QF accrue points, and just all but one fare level on JQ earns no points ..... Are NZ heading to DJ or are NZ heading down to JQ?

 

[ANstar]

Perhaps those fare levels will remain and you just add on atthe payment page the extras yu want - similar to JQ?

 

[kamchatsky]

Well bear in mind that their price will decrease a lot (well at least promised) with these changes.

Afterall most of the market are leisure flyers, a lot of my friends flies on JQ and DJ trans-Tasman because they have cheapest "head price" in the market. I told them to consider NZ because by the time you add everything you may as well fly NZ with NZ having better flight times. However, as most general public, they think JQ and DJ is best value of money and flies with them.

So I understand from NZ point of view they need to change their configuration of their planes as well as new pricing structures. Too many people (ie general public) just look at head prices only. They are NOT like us AFFers who are "slightly" sophisticated on travel.

However they should still maintain J, at least 1 row of 4, with upgrades for GEs if available. I don't know how much more costly it would for them to maintain J services for 4 people, but without J they are just shutting out the Business Class market for potential recovery.

 

[kamchatsky]

From a post from FT: A Video explaining the changes:

4shared.com - online file sharing and storage - download Matariki.flv

 

[haydensydney]

The thread on FT regarding this article has generated a large amount of interest from FT members.

NZ has even got their own Bruce Parton (Group General Manager Shorthaul) to provide comment on a few posts and to clarify the new NZ offering. A good move from NZ's perspective.

 

[trooper]

Great... This Aussie based Gold Elite will head over there now! :mrgreen:

I am hoping that he has addressed the concerns of elites... but I am NOT holding my breath!

Back from FT..... and....

OK I may not be entirely happy about the changes.... but I am very impressed with Bruce Partons participation in the ongoing discussions on FT...

It wasn't a single post saying "here's how it is" but a series of responses to actual concerns raised. On top of that he has provided his direct e-mail address AND his mobile number (!!) for those feeling the need to make more enquiries...

 

[kamchatsky]

Great... This Aussie based Gold Elite will head over there now! :mrgreen:

I am hoping that he has addressed the concerns of elites... but I am NOT holding my breath!

Back from FT..... and....

OK I may not be entirely happy about the changes.... but I am very impressed with Bruce Partons participation in the ongoing discussions on FT...

It wasn't a single post saying "here's how it is" but a series of responses to actual concerns raised. On top of that he has provided his direct e-mail address AND his mobile number (!!) for those feeling the need to make more enquiries...

+1 on Bruce Parton. Very impressed with him trying to answer all the questions. Granted the changes are not going to please everybody, especially with the AFFers here. However, he try to answer all the questions i a sincerely manner, and that's why it is one of the reason I really like NZ. They are generally excellent in terms of customer service. This alone makes me want to keep flying NZ. Something like this is actually go beyond what he has to do (he could have just get a staff to do this for him).

Whilst I wont post his contacts here, I suggest anyone who wants his contact details go to FT and send him email or even call him :shock: .

 

[albatross710]

+1 on Bruce Parton. Very impressed with him trying to answer all the questions. Granted the changes are not going to please everybody, especially with the AFFers here. However, he try to answer all the questions i a sincerely manner, and that's why it is one of the reason I really like NZ. They are generally excellent in terms of customer service. This alone makes me want to keep flying NZ. Something like this is actually go beyond what he has to do (he could have just get a staff to do this for him).
.

Good PR move and an excellent example of best practice. Shows the value of posting using real names and real content as opposed to the various bogus false posts that come and go trying to spruik a product.

Still I'm disappointed that my dreamed of J flights to RAR aren't going to happen.

 

[kamchatsky]

Good PR move and an excellent example of best practice. Shows the value of posting using real names and real content as opposed to the various bogus false posts that come and go trying to spruik a product.

Still I'm disappointed that my dreamed of J flights to RAR aren't going to happen.

You still can, just have to do it before they executing the changes. Also RAR is also serviced by 777/767 sometimes.

 

[anat0l]

...various bogus false posts that come and go trying to spruik a product.

I believe that's an unethical practice called "shilling".

 

[pauly7]

Good PR move and an excellent example of best practice. .

MMM I wonder if it is best business practice - removing J, Qantas will be happy!

 

[albatross710]

I believe that's an unethical practice called "shilling".

Ok, my apologies, I was referring to PR/internet communication best practice, not neccesarily the business wisdom.

 

[dajop]

Still I'm disappointed that my dreamed of J flights to RAR aren't going to happen.

Depends - if you were planning on flying xx_-AKL-RAR, unless you do it soon you may not get the chance in J. However, the changes do not apply to the direct SYD-RAR (weekly) service that is starting in July, the plan is that it will retain J class as it is operated by a 767

 

[albatross710]

I was thinking BNE-AKL-RAR all on NZ which would have been J all the way and included in the same *A redemption. To redeem via SYD for me using Krisflyer points would mean an out of pocket cash tix BNE-SYD. Realistically our holiday agenda is already tight so realistically I'm looking at this trip in 2011 or even 2012 by which time so much can change.

 

[anat0l]

For those not on FT (or who just hasn't crossed over to read about it), here's a little bit more info revealed (of course, authenticity and correctness is not guaranteed):

gold elite benefits

received in the mail today.

gold elites:

seat: one additional carry-on allowed, meaning two carry-ons (up to 7kg).

seat+bag: one additional checked bag up to 23kg allowed, meaning two checked bags at 23kg each.

the works: same as seat+bag.

work deluxe: total of 3 checked bags at 23 kg each allowed.

no mention of star G benefits for seat fare!!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

airpont gold elite and gold can take additional carry-on bag up to 7 kg with any of the 4 fares.

airpoint gold elite, gold and koru can take additional checked bag up to 23 kg with the seat+bag, the works and work deluxe.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A320 will be reconfigured to full economy class with 171 seas offering 30-32''.

space+ will be removed from A320 and 767.

work delux is an exclusive offering to A320.

business class remains on all 767,777 and 747.

Highlighting is added to reflect the original posting.

Obviously there is a lack of information as to how the new fare bases work with *G pax.

 

[anat0l]

More confusion abounds on FT about the changes. In particular, the idea of removing Space+ is not completely pinned down. It may go, it may not (or in between, i.e. some Space+ removed). It's all very muddy and a lot of muddled communications (particularly with several members firing off letters and/or emails to Bruce Parton).

It is still clear that *Gs are looking to not be pleased with whatever NZ come up with. They'll be even more pi*sed if it means that on a Seat fare they cannot take the extra 20 kg baggage allowance as dictated in the Star Alliance rules.

 

[wallacej]

Depends - if you were planning on flying xx_-AKL-RAR, unless you do it soon you may not get the chance in J. However, the changes do not apply to the direct SYD-RAR (weekly) service that is starting in July, the plan is that it will retain J class as it is operated by a 767

I am booked MEL-AKL-RAR April 23, and the AKL-RAR is on a 777 (according to the seat selection process anyway).

Any regulars to RAR that could tell me the best option to get from the airport (RAR) to the Edgewater resort? Would taxi be best option at that time of morning, otherwise $35 per person in a bus (seems excessive for a 3km trip)

Cheers