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Air New Zealand Premium Economy Products. Air New Zealand show 2 possible routes from the UK to New Zealand . One is via Los Angeles and one is via Hong Kong. Is the "Premium Economy" on the Hong Kong route the same product as the "Pacific Premium Economy" on the Los Angeles route or are there any differences?

Yes, they are identical assuming on the LA route you remain on the same flight number (NZ1/NZ2) in transit. Both the London-Auckland flights (NZ38/NZ39) route via Hong Kong and (NZ1/NZ2) via Los Angeles use Boeing 747-400s. The key difference is not the product but the transit. Hong Kong airport is easy to transit, you simply exit, go through security and you're in the terminal and can enjoy the shops/amenities until you board. At LAX you get shepherded into a "holding pen" transit lounge at the gate where you spend around 2 hours with only a bathroom, and free pepsi products. You are required to fill in US entry documentation and be fingerprinted to enter the holding pen! In short, the inflight products are virtually identical - the transit experience is vastly different.

Avoid LAX unless there is a decent discount to fly this route or you specifically need to go via LA. Hong Kong like most Asia-Pacific Airports is efficient and well equipped and justifibaly deserves its 5 star billing, if even for just a quick transit. Air NZ's PE product itself is great either way. Business Class food plus superb AVOD IFE and service, in addition to the extra room.

Via Hong Kong is the only way to go. Steer clear of the US. Main deck Premium Economy is really good, albeit a little cold - there are only 8 seats in the main cabin, very well serviced and quite intimate. Upstars PQ is cramped.

Just returned from trip to LHR this morning. Flew out via LAX and back via HKG. On previous occasions have done Premium Economy. Although on this trip booked last minute and no seats available so flew Economy. The product is exactly the same on both routes- whether you fly on a 747, or 777 operated. Would recommend the Premium Economy for the long trip- on the 747s seating is on both decks. I prefer the first row on the upper deck- you have what seems like a huge void ahead of you. I agree with all comments regarding avoiding LAX if you can. On the second time of transiting in LAX I decided never again- not worth it. At least on this trip I had to stay in Los Angeles again but the customs/immigration experience hadn't improved any.

AKL-LAX PE. Upper deck. Great new seats, could be better padded. Very good service with great food and drinks. A very attentive crew and a quiet cabin for a 12 hour flight. As for flying to London on PE; it is now around $2000 for the christmas period - cheaper than virgin and BA.

Agree with previous comments re dire LAX transit experience and great service on board. However, I believe the PE seats are wider on the 747-400 equipment. Seat width on the 777 is the same as in Y. This is covered very briefly on the seat map section of NZ’s website. Check it out.

Flying via LAX does have one significant advantage - you get increased baggage allowance - 2 pieces at 23kgs each. Given the extortionate excess baggage rates all carriers seem to charge going via Singapore or Hong Kong this makes for a huge saving if you can put up with the transit hassles.

I disagree with previous posts on the 777 vs 744 issue : the product is significantly different to the point that I would (and have) paid the premium on the 744 and would not on the 777. The 744 has 2x3 seating upstairs and 2x2 downstairs, with wider seats than Y class. If you're traveling with a partner you get multiple options to sit 2 together. 777 is two rows of 3x3x3. Seat is no wider than Y class (problem 1), 3x3x3 configuration means that to sit with a partner, one of you must be in a middle seat, and, lastly but significantly, you're 1-2 rows away from the bassinets in Y class. It's really a poor configuration.

I'm with DC10AD. I regularly pay the premium to fly in PE on the 747. I avoid the 777 completely. Unlike everyone else, I prefer the Main Deck PE seating!