VA v QF in PE to LAX

[n7of9]

Can anyone summarise the difference in in flight soft product for PE between QF, VA (& JL)?

- Pre Departure Beverages?

- Meal Services (Dinner, Breakfast, Mid flight Snacks)?

- Beverage Services

- Pillows, Blankets, Quality?

- Amenities Packs?

- Anything else of note?

i've flown VA and NZ PE SYD to east coast USA (i haaaaated Air NZ!)

VA has pre-departure beverages (i had a mimosa); real cutlery but served in plastic containers like Y; mid-flight snacks were self-service at the standing bar; i don't drink so can't comment on beverage services; blankets ok, pillows a little on the small side but asked i for 3 of them; noise-cancelling over-ear headphones, but they get uncomfortable after a while; amenities pack had Dermalogica products; the attendants are plentiful and friendly, and tend to be not the ones who hate their job, they come and sit with you pre-flight and talk you through the menu and what to expect service-wise

in contrast, NZ PE staff were a bunch of hags who just wanted you to sit in the corner and STFU - and the seats were HARD on the butt and squishy

 

[robbie1984]

Recently flew VA W to Abu Dhabi (J return). Second time in W with VA and the service, seat, food were all great. In my opinion VA is better and for the difference in price QF isnt worth it. What do you get for that? On VA, The W bar was stocked with wine, sparkling, beer, soft drinks and water and chips, nuts etc... The food was very tasty, IFE and noise cancelling headphones great. Apart from the flat bed in J, Premium Economy is actually a very good product.

 

[Baysider]

The Air NZ premium economy product has always interested me:
New Premium Economy - Long-Haul Experience - Air New Zealand - Australia Site

 

[serfty]

Ok,

I have flown now.

Stand-up bar yes. It's a very very narrow area and you won't want to hang around it. It's a 'grab a drink and a snack' area to take back to your seat.

(The bulkhead on the right of that photo is the front of the PE cabin; note it's not stocked with decent booze like the photo may imply either)

As for the in-flight product, it's not bad but not wonderful. It is definitely economy plus not business minus. The service is exceptional though. The food/drink is so so. There's plenty of photos of the meals out there.

The bars I saw were better stocked than that, although Beers/Mixed drinks needed to be requested.

 

[drewbles]

Ok,

I have flown now.The bars I saw were better stocked than that, although Beers/Mixed drinks needed to be requested.

The same is true of the J sit-down bar. Self mixed drinks were removed and you have to press the call button on the bar to have them make you one.

What are your thoughts on row 11?

 

[serfty]

What are your thoughts on row 11?

For anyone over 5'8", row 10 sucks! I flew over in 10C and was unable to change as the cabin was full. There is only about 18" between the front of the seat and the bulkhead - no room to stretch out. They have this 'footrest' for row 10 seats which sucks up more of the precious space - mine lasted about 30 minutes before being put back up top. I spens half the journey with my feet out to the right and under the curtain in the lavatory/bar area.

I changed to 11G on the return and (with a spare 11F) it was 10 times better. There is actually a good 10 inches of additional legroom under the seat in front for the non bulkhead seats. (Although there's a few protuberances with IFE and power supply boxes.)

One direct comparison with Qantas PE is if the seat in front is on full recline there is still plenty of room (not so with QF).