Air NZ Economy AKL/LAX vs SQ

[soak01]

Just wondering if anyone has any experience of flying NZ Y class especially between AKL and LAX. I am familiar with the SQ product but not have travelled or heard much about NZ other than them being a *A partner.

Ex ADL, I have the choice of ADL/AKL/LAX (A320/744) on NZ or ADL/SIN/LAX (772/744 or 345 or 77W) on SQ. Certainly there is a time saving with NZ and I avoid an overnight transit in SIN, but does it make up for not having SQ service or comfort?

[9V-JKL]

Have done SYD-AKL and AKL-TPE. Both on their old B763. Don't have a comparison on seats with the A320/B744 so I'll talk about service. I don't think there is AVOD on their A320 but only on their 744s.

Trans-Tasman was OK. 1 full meal and that was about it. You were left to your own devices. There was a movie on the main screen. I had company so the flight went rather well.

For the longer haul AKL-TPE, I did not enjoy it. No AVOD and having been spoilt by SQ with AVOD, it was rather painful. Service was decent, you got what you asked for. With a smile; wonder if 'please' and 'thank you' played a part.
Being *G, they blocked off the aisle seat; 2-3-2 config; so that was nice.

Food wise, I don't have complaints. The NZ wines were quite nice as far as I remember.

[CGK]

From NZ web site:

Our new individual, on-demand system is now on-board the following routes, so you can watch whatever you want, whenever you want, whichever class of travel you choose to fly.

* Auckland - Osaka
* Osaka - Auckland
* Auckland - Tokyo
* Tokyo - Auckland
* Auckland - Hong Kong
* Hong Kong - Auckland
* Auckland - San Francisco
* San Francisco - Auckland
* Auckland - Los Angeles
* Los Angeles - Auckland
* Los Angeles - London Heathrow
* London Heathrow - Los Angeles
* London Heathrow - Hong Kong
* Hong Kong - London Heathrow

Well, you can read about it here:
http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/trave...my/default.htm

And NZ offers Premium Economy:
* Enjoy more legroom with the largest seat pitch in its class (38-40")
* Lean back and relax with 50% more recline than Pacific Economy

* Each seat has a full leg rest and foot bar, so you can put your feet up
* In-seat power is available in most seats, which accepts most common connector plugs without the need for an adaptor
* An additional storage net in your seat back which provides stowage space for your complimentary water bottle
* 747 Configuration: 3-2 (upper deck); 2 (on the main deck)
* 777 Configuration: 3-3-3

[KeithMEL]

I've done MEL-WLG (320) and MEL-AKL (744).

The 744 does have AVOD. Seats are roomier than SQ economy, but Executive economy on the SQ 345 obviously offers superior comfort (and also costs 5% extra).

The 320 will have drop down monitors every 3 rows, and a movie will be played for the transtasman flight. Seats are also very comfy even though these planes only fly short-mid haul flights.

Service is decent. Trans tasman catering is thread bare at best - with the 'cafe style' food being a choice between a chicken salad or a meat pie. Sometimes a quiche. The long haul should be ok though.

I wouldn't do that big detour via SIN just to fly SQ, unless in C/F or short of miles.

[singaporu_kooku]

I wouldn't do that big detour via SIN just to fly SQ, unless in C/F or short of miles.

Agreed... The hours spent in economy can be a little (or a lot..) unbearable for this journey.

[CGK]

If similar fares, being me, mileage junkie, I would go via SIN. More miles, right?

2 segment path: 8529 mi
ADL AKL 2025 mi
AKL LAX 6504 mi

2 segment path: 12120 mi
ADL SIN 3350 mi
SIN LAX 8770 mi

[KeithMEL]

If similar fares, being me, mileage junkie, I would go via SIN. More miles, right?

2 segment path: 8529 mi
ADL AKL 2025 mi
AKL LAX 6504 mi

2 segment path: 12120 mi
ADL SIN 3350 mi
SIN LAX 8770 mi

Well, I suppose the detour isn't so bad if the OP is in need of the extra miles. Maybe throw in a night or 2 in SIN to break the journey up a little? Or go for Executive Economy on the 345.

I've done a journey of similar length - MEL-LHR in Y on QF009, hence MEL-SIN-LHR. That works out to be 10 508 mi - and it was pretty unbearable! Not the fault of QF as I've always found them ok in Y for the shorter runs to SIN/BKK/HKG. But I don't see how any airline can be comfy in Y for a journey of that length and IMO it's much better to stopover in the middle, or pick the fastest and most direct route.

[soak01]

For interest, I just did a comparison for my chosen dates between SQ and NZ and was surprised that even flying SQ and using the non-stop SQ37/38 A345 service between SIN/LAX it was still considerably cheaper than NZ

Including taxes the return fares were:

SQ - $AUD 2397.07 (Y ADL/SIN & Y+ SIN/LAX)
NZ - $AUD 3089.63 (Y) and $AUD 4066.13 (Premium Economy)

As has been said, at least with SQ I get the chance to break the journey in SIN.

[KeithMEL]

In that case - SQ's a no brainer, especially with the Executive Economy option. I'd definitely spend some time in SIN each way.

[YK@HKG]

Yup...agree with the consensus....go with the Golden Goose....

[SQOZflyer]

Seems like SQ is the way to go in your case...

I have flown in NZ economy only on domestic trips inside New Zealand... so can't comment on their intercontinental economy service however I have heard positive feedback from friends...

From my personal experience, I can highly recommend Air New Zealands Premium Economy... I took the HKG-LHR-HKG route and got an absolutely outstanding service for "Premium economy"... decent seats and great AVOD as well...