Premium economy - Qantas vs Air NZ

[Magoo]

I'm looking at flying to the US in premium economy from Sydney.

Air New Zealand appears to be significantly cheaper than Qantas, and has the added advantage of going to San Francisco, rather than Los Angeles.

Has anyone had experience of both? Are you able to make a comparison? Any tips for and against? Anything I should look out for?

I'm a QFF (absolutely no status) but have no concerns about either airline.

I appreciate your input.

 

[serfty]

I believe with the AirNZ PE fare you do the Trans-Tasman bit (Oz/AKL) in economy.

If you do go the AirNZ route, I suggest you join Virgin Austrlaia Velocity and credit the AirNZ flights there.

 

[Bolthead]

I agree with serfty re Velocity Rewards. I have flown both and I like the Y+ seat configuration that ANZ use from AKL to LAX see: New Premium Economy - Long-Haul Experience - Air New Zealand - Australia Site

 

[Simsy85]

AirNZ PE is awesome - food is a cut form J cabin.

Serfty is right to a degree - if it's an A320, you'll get Y on the trans tasmin route (hence why it is cheaper).

But if you get a 777-200/300 they'll put you in the Y+ seats - that being said, Y+ on a 200 is just lousey.

Still its only 2.5 - 3 hrs - you'll live.

Cheers

Simsy

 

[Magoo]

Thanks for your input. Exactly what I was looking for.

I had already considered Velocity Rewards (already a member). It appear that Air NZ may be a decent deal then. I was aware that Syd-AUK was in economy - I've managed that before.

 

[trooper]

Note that NZ has 2 significantly different Y+ products...

I personally like the new 773 product (many don't) and I like the 747 product if the "2 seaters" are available...

I do NOT like the "3 seater" areas......which is port side on the UD on the 747... and everywhere on the 772!

 

[IANMAC22]

I'm looking at flying to the US in premium economy from Sydney.

Air New Zealand appears to be significantly cheaper than Qantas, and has the added advantage of going to San Francisco, rather than Los Angeles.

Has anyone had experience of both? Are you able to make a comparison? Any tips for and against? Anything I should look out for?

I'm a QFF (absolutely no status) but have no concerns about either airline.

I appreciate your input.

Having stood in line at Los Angeles for over 3 hours, waiting to reach the immigration desk (after an 11 hour transatlantic flight); I always try to fly in to San Francisco where the staff are much more on the ball and the wait is usually less than a half-hour.

 

[kevrosmith]

Having stood in line at Los Angeles for over 3 hours, waiting to reach the immigration desk (after an 11 hour transatlantic flight); I always try to fly in to San Francisco where the staff are much more on the ball and the wait is usually less than a half-hour.

Have only flown to USA once so far, and took NZ from MEL-AKL-SFO in J. It too was significantly cheaper cf. QF and VA J. Was on the 773 between MEL-AKL but on a 747 to SFO. When I flew, back in September, they didn't put the newer 773 aircraft on the SFO route. Even for J, there were some noticeable differences in the seat product between the older 747 and newer 773, and I imagine that these differences would be even more so (seat-wise) for the Y+ products. The older 747/772 Y+ seat looks similar to the QF Y+ seat (not that I've ever experienced that) and Domestic J seat. While the new NZ Y+ seats look a bit more snazzy. They are angled, and the side ones seem good for individual travelers, while the center seats seem to suit couples well by angling toward each other.

I flew back on the 773 from LAX-AKL-SYD and that aircraft seemed a lot nicer than the older 747s.

SFO was definitely very fast through immigration (we landed around 12:30pm on a Saturday) and there didn't seem to be any other arrivals feeding pax into the immigration area. (Though I've never landed into LAX, so don't know how it compares). But if it's an NZ 747, then you'd have to work out whether you are happy with the older Y+ seat compared to their newer one on the 773.

 

[kevrosmith]

I believe with the AirNZ PE fare you do the Trans-Tasman bit (Oz/AKL) in economy.

You can usually tell which aircraft is scheduled to operate a flight based on the flight number. 700 series are typically A320s, while 100 series is usually a wide-body, such as the 767s, 772s or 773s. Aim for the 100 series flight numbers!

 

[Magoo]

All great input.
Thank you

 

[crm911]

Having stood in line at Los Angeles for over 3 hours, waiting to reach the immigration desk (after an 11 hour transatlantic flight); I always try to fly in to San Francisco where the staff are much more on the ball and the wait is usually less than a half-hour.

I agree that SFO is a faster process (depends on airline and what else is arriving at the same time) in general, but I have also had a bad experience with NZ by missing a connection on account of weather. It wasn't the missed flight but the way NZ handled our case - the gate crew basically go home direct from the gate (not to the empty NZ check-in counter where they told us to go) and you have to go a fair distance to find a human who can help answer your questions.

This isn't about gate crews (who change over time) but the fact that if you miss the SFO-AKL flight for some reason, the next one is the next day. Hence I prefer LAX as an entry/departure point.

 

[eric2011]

I also agree regarding Velocity. Dont join airNZ air points program. Just another useless peice of plastic in my wallet