My First Trip Report: Air New Zealand Business Class - SYD-AKL-LAX

[subichow]

So first things first, I have never written a trip report before and I certainly do not consider myself a writer so please bear with me as I learn. I had actually never intended to write a report of my trip however I have since been inspired by reading other members’ reports and decided to give it a go myself. I won’t write a return trip as I didn’t bother taking many photos but LAX – AKL was served by a refurbished 777-200. It made no difference to me, but means inconsistency with the premium economy product I guess. Anyway…

There was a very good reason for this trip, or so I would like to think so myself. It had been a dream of mine to attend the SEMA show in Las Vegas for quite a while now and my work situation last year meant that I was finally able to attend… providing I could find a way there. For those wondering, the SEMA show is a trade show, held in Las Vegas, for automotive parts and accessories. My reason for wanting to go was simple – I would finally be able to see all the cars I drool over on Instagram… in real life!

Being an SFSC (a new term I have learnt in the past week) my first step was to find appropriate flights. I was looking at various premium economy and business class options on and off for a few months then one night I came across an Air New Zealand fare that I was happy with in business. I booked and simply couldn’t wait until October.


27 October 2015
Trip: Sydney – Auckland (SYD – AKL)
Flight: NZ102
Duration: 3hr 10min
Plane: Boeing 767-300
Seat: 2K


I did not take any photos of the check in area, but the process was quick and easy with nobody else in the priority line. I had pre-selected my seats and could have easily used one of the self-serve kiosks, but they were all busy anyway so I just headed straight for the counter. Quickly going through security, I headed straight for the relatively new Air New Zealand lounge for some breakfast.

The lounge is definitely far more impressive than the last time I visited with a clean, sleek appearance. There was a manned bar and other self-serve drink options as well as a decent food spread.

Breakfast

767 making its way to the gate

I tried to board as early as I could so that I could quickly snap some photos. In the end it didn’t really matter, as the business class cabin was only about one third full.

I opted for some pre-departure champagne and browsed the lunch menu.

 

[subichow]

Headphones and pillow were provided, but I did not use either. The seat next to me was free so I dumped them there.

As I’m sure most of you know, the 767 features old style recliner seats. Personally, I didn’t mind this as the flight was only a few hours and I planned to eat and watch a movie, i.e. no sleeping. Leg room and seat width were both fine.

On our taxi out to the runway we passed a seriously good looking all black 787.

After take off there were some nuts and another drink, followed by the meal service.

I chose the lamb and chocolate marquise. The entrée and dessert were definitely better than the main.

Approaching Auckland.

 

[subichow]

After landing and going through the transfer screening I had a quick walk around the terminal to stretch my legs before heading to the lounge.

As usual there was some food, however it did not seem well stocked at the time I was there with limited choices and nothing too appealing. The drinks side of things was much more interesting with another manned bar and coffee station, as well as self-service. There was also a TV room, kids room and a slightly odd indoor-outdoor area.

Nice day bed style rest area.

The boarding area was already packed by the time I got there. Thankfully boarding was called soon afterwards and on I went!


27 October 2015
Trip: Auckland – Los Angeles (AKL – LAX)
Flight: NZ6
Duration: 12hr 15min
Plane: 777-300ER
Seat: 2A

I must confess, I was actually more interested to see the premium economy seats so I quickly dropped my bags at my seat and went back to take some photos before it filled up.

Reverse angle (actually photo from 777-200)

 

[subichow]

As usual, at the seat there was a pillow, headphones and amenity kit. Behind the seat back was another pillow, blanket and seat topping mattress. There was also a handy shoe storage cubby under the ottoman and small storage area next to the arm-rest. I took to reading the menu while enjoying another glass of pre-flight champagne.

This time I chose the burger for main course. I liked how the separate elements of the burger came on the side so you could make it as you wish. For me, that meant including it all and dousing it in mayo and sauce. I followed it up with ice cream and cheese with a dessert wine the attendant suggested.

Bathroom wall artwork.

After dinner service had finished the cabin crew went around and helped passengers fold the seat over and make the bed.

The mattress topper was thick and comfortable. The pillows were decently sized but I found them a little thin and I needed to squish it together a bit for better support. Overall I found it very comfortable and had no problems nodding off for a few hours.

Breakfast service began with about two hours to go until arrival. I went for the waffles, which sadly weren’t quite as good as I had hoped.

I must comment on the size of the table and how nice it was to be able to fit everything so easily. It was even possible for me to get out of the seat with the table and screen deployed. I really dislike the feeling of being ‘trapped’ when a table is in use.

Approach to LAX.

Not to take anything away from Air New Zealand, but possibly the most exciting part of the trip was actually arriving at LAX and being processed very quickly thanks to the automatic machines. I was very happy not to have to stand in one of the long lines at immigration.



Thoughts

I had done the Sydney to Los Angeles trip three times in three years now with the other two trips being in Korean Air business and Virgin Australia premium economy. This Air New Zealand trip was definitely the best out of the three with better flight timing than Korean and surely a better seat than Virgin Australia business class with 2-3-2? I was definitely not put off by the old 767 flight to Auckland and in my opinion the Air NZ 777 is certainly a comfortable way to get to America.

N.b. Photos are straight off iPhone.

 

[opusman]

Great review and photos! Thanks!

 

[get me outta here]

Thanks for taking the trouble, it's handy info. And, I gotta get me some o' them purple wheat rolls.

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks for the TR !

So, they serve Champagne in pilsner glasses on the 767?

 

[snabbu]

Nice trip report subichow thanks for the write up. Those PE seats look quite nice!

 

[subichow]

Thanks for taking the trouble, it's handy info. And, I gotta get me some o' them purple wheat rolls.

Sadly nowhere near as purple as it sounds It's in the photo with entree from AKL-LAX.

Thanks for the TR !

So, they serve Champagne in pilsner glasses on the 767?

Yep, and on the 777.. and on 787. Looks a bit funny but still tastes fine

Nice trip report subichow thanks for the write up. Those PE seats look quite nice!

I'm keen to try it myself some time. I like the hard shell design but have read mixed reviews about how comfortable they are.

 

[Julesmac]

Do I imagine the PE aisles look a bit narrow or perhaps just the camera angle. Great TR

 

[kermatu]

Great TR! Lots of useful info and good pics. Thanks for posting.

 

[subichow]

Great TR! Lots of useful info and good pics. Thanks for posting.

Thank you!

 

[Solid]

Thanks for the trip report subichow, great read and good to see the product.

 

[bPeteb]

Thanks for the report Subichow. We're flying Air NZ to Buenos Aries in June - Y there and J back. We've paid for one of the rows of two down the back of the 773 and 772 we're flying on but we'll also put in bid now upgrades for Y+. Looking forward to trying Air NZ J so we can compare to QF. We flew back from JFK in QF J last year.

 

[subichow]

Thanks for the trip report subichow, great read and good to see the product.

Thanks!

Thanks for the report Subichow. We're flying Air NZ to Buenos Aries in June - Y there and J back. We've paid for one of the rows of two down the back of the 773 and 772 we're flying on but we'll also put in bid now upgrades for Y+. Looking forward to trying Air NZ J so we can compare to QF. We flew back from JFK in QF J last year.

Good to know I'm not the only one that actively chooses seats down the back of the plane in Y haha! On my flight from AKL-LAX the economy had a fairly light load so a lot of passengers had two seats, some even had 3 to themselves. How many people in your travelling party? I'm not a huge fan of the Qantas J as a solo traveller as I can't have a window and direct aisle access, but the flip side is, Air NZ with a partner (or more) isn't as easy to talk to. Also no PJs on Air NZ but I can live without them.

 

[bPeteb]

Thanks!




Good to know I'm not the only one that actively chooses seats down the back of the plane in Y haha! On my flight from AKL-LAX the economy had a fairly light load so a lot of passengers had two seats, some even had 3 to themselves. How many people in your travelling party? I'm not a huge fan of the Qantas J as a solo traveller as I can't have a window and direct aisle access, but the flip side is, Air NZ with a partner (or more) isn't as easy to talk to. Also no PJs on Air NZ but I can live without them.

Two of us. Our QF J flights were our first QF J flights and were points upgrades. We were sat in the middle and it was fine as it was an overnighter. We've flown BA J and didn't enjoy it at all. Chose centre rear facing pair of their horrid eight abreast cabin. Its didn't help that cabin was like a sauna. The flight from Buenos Aires is an overnighter as well. We will have just spent three weeks not out of each others sight so won't be upset to not be rubbing shoulders on the flights home! No biggy about the pjs either. A pair of trackies will do fine.

 

[Major]

I like the look of the SYD Koro Lounge. The BNE lounge is very tired but I understand it's due for an upgrade sometime this year

 

[Milboo]

I was in the new SYD lounge this week and rate it.

Coffee was excellent - ordered on the iPad system, great spread for breakfast including fried and poached eggs cooked to order, beans, scrambled eggs and a couple of other sides, waffles made to order (these were good), pancake machine etc

Also through the new AKL lounge and was also impressed.

Contrary to the comment above, the food offering was decent given it was mid afternoon. 3 different sorts of sandwiches/ wraps/ rolls, a soup, scones, cheese board, about 5 sweet options (individual cheesecake, chocolate cake, ginger slice, biscuits), fruit and more.

Lounge was pretty busy.

 

[subichow]

We will have just spent three weeks not out of each others sight so won't be upset to not be rubbing shoulders on the flights home!

Hahaha I love your thinking!

I like the look of the SYD Koro Lounge. The BNE lounge is very tired but I understand it's due for an upgrade sometime this year

Sydney lounge is very nice, I actually prefer it to the SQ lounge here.

Contrary to the comment above, the food offering was decent given it was mid afternoon. 3 different sorts of sandwiches/ wraps/ rolls, a soup, scones, cheese board, about 5 sweet options (individual cheesecake, chocolate cake, ginger slice, biscuits), fruit and more.

Lounge was pretty busy.

From all other reports / reviews I would assume that it is usually well kept, it's just that it wasn't that crash hot when I arrived. It did get better later on as it started to get busy and there was even someone walking around offering mocktails to people which was a nice proactive touch. I suppose my arrival time was just awkward as most other people doing SYD-LAX on Air NZ would have been on the next flight out of Sydney a couple of hours later.

 

[CorvettePete]

Thanks for this trip report. We are flying with Air NZ SYD-AKL-SFO in business later this year. As we usual fly QF it was good to see a report on the product.

What was the IFE like? Was there a good range of things to watch?