Air New Zealand

Flew LAX to AKL and return first leg in Business return in premium economy. The Business class is world class crews are excellent food was excellent and the seat while a unique design really gives comfort and privacy. Sleep is necessary on a 13 hr flight that leaves at 10pm and it was easy. the spaces eat on the return leg gives privacy and space but i found the lack of recline made sleep difficult. Again food and crews were excellent. The 777-300 is a great plane with a lot of space but frankly I can't imagine this trip in economy.

We travelled premium economy Melbourne to LA. It cost about double the economy return. The first leg (to Auckland) wasn't called premium economy although it was in the premium economy cabin and we paid for premium economy. It was called something like 'Works Plus' and you only got economy food. At Melbourne airport we were prevented from priority boarding because of this difference which seemed a bit pathetic. The great advantage of premium economy on Air NZ is that you get plenty of room and the seat in front can't recline into your space. The seats are not great there is no footrest and the seat doesn't flip up to support your feet. On the long flight you are given sort of foot-bean-bags which are quite handy but you aren't given those on the shorter leg. In fact on the first leg I had to be quite insistent to beg for a couple of ordinary cushions from a flight attendant who was very reluctant to hand them over! The seats are actually hard to operate which the staff are clearly aware of. A problem with the seats is that they all face slightly or considerably away from each other. Perhaps this is meant to be for privacy but personally I prefer to sit parallel to the person next to me even if I don't know him/her. It was frustrating not being able to talk properly to my husband on the flights. Another disadvantage of the configuration is that you can't comfortably lie down across both seats if the plane is empty (as it was on the way home from LA to Auckland-we would actually have been better in economy as everyone back there got a row each and could lie down properly! But of course you can't predict that). The food on the longer legs is nice but it seems very odd that they bring out the desserts with the starters and you have to sit and look and the dessert through your starter and main course. As the trays and tables are very small and a bit unstable this is actually a real pain. It is also difficult to get drinks served with your meal. They bring the drinks after the meals and personally I can't eat a meal without drinking something. In general the staff were pretty unhelpful. It was difficult to get a soft drink or orange juice at all times. I was also refused an inflight magazine when I asked. I was told they weren't produced and were 'online'. The safety video (Lord of the Rings-style) was incredibly annoying. So - lots of space but a not very good seat. Nice food but wobbly trays. Snarly staff in the main. Avoid the front row in premium economy as the configuration is even worse than the other rows.

After waking at 4am to check in at Sydney International at 5.15am for a 7.15am departure on 25 March 2015 I was given a boarding pass for flight NZ700 which said to go to Gate G53 so after completing the usual checks I set off for the long long walk to Gate 53. When almost there I glanced at a screen showing departures and saw that Gate 27 was now showing for my flight. I stopped an airport employee showed him my boarding pass and the screen and asked if he could find out where I should be. After a phone call he said I should retrace my steps and go to Gate 29 which I did. Once there an official announced that our departure time was now 9.15am instead of 7.15am and they would give us a voucher to get some refreshments. I returned to Gate 29. We boarded our flight at approximately 9.50am and departed at about 10.10am. All I was offered on that flight was tea coffee or water. The arrival time in Auckland had been 12.15pm and we arrived at about 4.00pm. The other complaint I have is that the hand control for the screen at my seat showed ERR and did not respond to any selection. I signalled to a young male steward I needed help and after showing him the problem no attempt was made to reset it and the attitude was extremely offhand. My impression of the whole affair is that Air New Zealand doesn't care about their customers. Having to pay to watch a movie really Air New Zealand when I think of what lovely service we used to get it makes me very disappointed.

Flight NZ 282 AKL-SGP. We had booked flight with Singapore Airlines but new arrangement with Air NZ caused transfer to Air NZ. Although the plane and food was good the comparison to Singapore Airlines certainly did not favour ANZ. On SGP Airlines the attendants give you warm towel before takeoff and keep circulating in the cabin with drinks and eats. On ANZ we only saw attendants when meals were served and needed to ring for them when we wanted anything else. No duty free offered on ANZ and bathrooms were devoid of any extras like mouthwash and hand moisturiser etc etc. ANZ very pleasant but cannot compare to SGP Airlines.

NZ 281 25 Mar and NZ 282 on 2 Apr. Took the Premium Economy class flight to and from Auckland and I loved it. The seats are spacious and comfortable and it definitely felt much better than a red-eye flight on Economy. The complimentary bottle of water is a great touch because you do tend to get very dehydrated on a flight and having the bottle meant you didn't have to ask for a glass of water from the attendants every 10 minutes or so. The pillow provided is big and soft and very comfortable whether to hug or to prop against your back. The USB and power outlet though not uncommon anymore are still very much appreciated. I'm not sure if this feature exists in other airlines or if it's even a plausible concept but it may be great if a passenger can play his/her own media via a USB device eg. movies on a thumb drive or the sort. On the flight to Auckland there were just a handful of people in the Premium Economy cabin so service was impeccable and thoughtful right from the start. The attendants even came around mid-flight to make sure everything was okay for me. On my return it was a fully- booked flight so the attendants really had their work cut out for them. But they were still thoughtful and reasonably efficient. I would definitely fly with Air NZ again if I get the chance. Oh and did I mention that their safety video is really "epic"? It's the only safety video which I personally have ever given 110% attention to.

NPE-AKL-CHC on ATR72 and A320. We should have travelled via Wellington to Christchurch we had checked in early having returned a rental car and were having a coffee when we were asked to go to check in desk the agent said weather was bad in Wellington and flights are being delayed did we wish to go via AKL arriving in CHC 2 hours earlier than planned we took up his offer. This was excellent unrequested customer service. Drink and snack on these short legs.

AKL-RAR then a week later RAR-LAX-LHR on 2x B767 and B777. Exit row seats on B767 and preferred seat (double) on B777.Only delay was RAR-LAX when we aborted take off due to a warning light soon fixed and we were on our way. Great service and IFE on all 3 legs.

IVC-CHC-AKL on ATR72 and A320.We checked in early due to heavy rain and the need to return a rental car and were at the agents suggestion put on earlier flights at no extra cost. Great customer service. Drink and snack on both flights.

Gisborne-Christchurch NZ8652 and NZ0525. Wonderful experience travelling with two pre-school age children from Gisborne to Auckland and then on to Christchurch. The whole way was a pleasure with the pilots making our kids day by waving to them from the cockpit and the air hostess that let my daughter handout the sweets. I will point out the plane was running slightly late so it would have been understandable for them to be feeling slightly rushed and not accommodating but staff went above and beyond in all aspects.

HKG-AKL in Economy. My daughter recently took this trip as part of a school trip. The flight was very average however her comment to me made me laugh. She pressed the call button to ask for some water it was delivered but was told not to use it again but actually come and get the water herself. She asked what is the call button for then to wake to wake you up. The stewards do not see the funny side of her comment.