SYD AKL on LAN A340 in Y

[nonpop]

I do the ditch run from SYD or MEL to AKL half dozen times per year (as little as I can get away with). I have wondered what the LAN bird / experience was like so decided to give it a go. I Normally use QF B737 (whihc I hate especially on a full flight).
Decided to try the QF321 code shar flight (LAN0800) on the A340.

In short, check in was fast and efficient in the business counter (LAN counter), on board service was good (personal greeting), Platinum shadow seemed to work (though flight was only about 80% in Y) and the plane was comfortable and quiet vs the B737 IMHO. Priority boarding worked very well with this being called first. The best part was when I hit AKL, I didn't have a plane load of people hitting AKL customs etc. There was only a small number of us. The SCs also posted within 24 hrs. Oh and each Y seat had a power point. There was also a blanket & pillow on the seat. Next time, I will be looking to use this service.

What didn't work ... couldn't use the QF F Check in counter. Plus needed to go back to the QF F check in counter to get express path cards. But next time I'll know that. Food on board was very average (very cold hamd and cheese croissant plus some fruit). It was outside of breakfast time.

Potential issues ... the inbound flight into Syd which becomes the SYD to AKL bird could be impacted by delays which would have a knock-on. But apart from that, I really can't see a reason to not consider this.

Anyways, few pics.

To avoid the on board food, I suggest a good Flounge breakfast of bacon, poached eggs and tomato.

View attachment 6994

The twin seats by the window (seating config is 2-4-2)

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Leg shot

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Seat back entertainment

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Headphones

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[amaroo]

Nice option - kicking myself I haven't tried this out.

Potential issues ... the inbound flight into Syd which becomes the SYD to AKL bird could be impacted by delays which would have a knock-on. But apart from that, I really can't see a reason to not consider this.

Nothing wrong with your Flounge breakfast turning into lunch:mrgreen:

 

[Fantic125]

I've taken LAN 0800 a couple of times through to Brazil and been happy with the service. Only issue I had once was when the LAN flight hadn't continued on from AKL to SYD for some reason, with the subsequent result of 0800 SYD to AKL being cancelled.

I was put on the next available Air NZ flight an hour or so later.

 

[samh004]

Doesn't look too bad, just a shame their J fares decided to head skyward instead of remaining a very good deal.




 

[pauly7]

Doesn't look too bad, just a shame their J fares decided to head skyward instead of remaining a very good deal.




Are you talking Syd-AKL? Still a good deal!

 

[Princess Fiona]

That doesn't look too shabby at all. I've never actually even looked at LAN as an option but will now
Thanks for the TR

 

[nonpop]

Re SC posting as I was concerned people had been having issues with LAN, they are crediting to my QF account about 24 hrs later - though I am on a QF flight number not an LAN number.

And I can double confirm, check in needs to be at the LAN check in not QF counter at SYD.

 

[funintended]

I do the ditch run from SYD or MEL to AKL half dozen times per year (as little as I can get away with). I have wondered what the LAN bird / experience was like so decided to give it a go. I Normally use QF B737 (whihc I hate especially on a full flight).
Decided to try the QF321 code shar flight (LAN0800) on the A340.

In short, check in was fast and efficient in the business counter (LAN counter), on board service was good (personal greeting), Platinum shadow seemed to work (though flight was only about 80% in Y) and the plane was comfortable and quiet vs the B737 IMHO. Priority boarding worked very well with this being called first. The best part was when I hit AKL, I didn't have a plane load of people hitting AKL customs etc. There was only a small number of us. The SCs also posted within 24 hrs. Oh and each Y seat had a power point. There was also a blanket & pillow on the seat. Next time, I will be looking to use this service.

What didn't work ... couldn't use the QF F Check in counter. Plus needed to go back to the QF F check in counter to get express path cards. But next time I'll know that. Food on board was very average (very cold hamd and cheese croissant plus some fruit). It was outside of breakfast time.

Potential issues ... the inbound flight into Syd which becomes the SYD to AKL bird could be impacted by delays which would have a knock-on. But apart from that, I really can't see a reason to not consider this.

Anyways, few pics.

To avoid the on board food, I suggest a good Flounge breakfast of bacon, poached eggs and tomato.

View attachment 6994

The twin seats by the window (seating config is 2-4-2)

View attachment 6995

Leg shot

View attachment 6996

Seat back entertainment

View attachment 6997

Headphones

View attachment 6998

Hi nonpop - thank you for the info.

do you recall if thiis flight has USB ports in the seats? I'll be flying next week, just curious if i can use my devices inflight without having to worry about draining the batteries. thanks!

 

[cmon0005]

Nice report!

I did SYD-AKL in LAN J and was also very happy with the experience.

Have a look at my trip report as well, http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-and-trip-photos/mel-syd-akl-lan-j-43693.html

 

[ms1]

Hello,

Need to get to Auckland so decided to try LAN instead of the usual QF, NZ or VA.

I've booked as a code share with QF even though it was about $100 extra than booking directly with LAN.

Can anyone advise if checkin is still at the LAN counters? I've read elsewhere that I should be using QF F counters.

Also, what's the best seat in Y? I've chosen 12C at this stage but not sure if this is the best option.

Cheers.

 

[moa999]

Always checkin at the counter of the metal you are flying on... ie the LAN counter in this case.

 

[cmon0005]

Always checkin at the counter of the metal you are flying on... ie the LAN counter in this case.

That being said, I flew SYD-AKL Sept last year and when I got to checkin there was a LAN staff member standing at the front of the queue asking each pax whether they were Qantas tickets or LAN tickets, and as such directing the QF ticket pax to QF counters.

Now not sure whether this was due to the flight being cancelled on the day I was travelling as everyone was rebooked onto Air NZ, maybe QF handle their own ticketed pax at their own desks all the time or only when cancellations happen?