Air New Zealand

Melbourne to Christchurch on an A320. Smiles all round on boarding. Seats were hard with little leg room. Just ok for the length of our flight but my bum was getting numb. Sale fare for seat only so was fine for our long weekend in the land of the long white cloud.

My business partner and I flew Auckland/Queenstown on 20 May returning the next day. I don't normally comment on domestic flights but these two flights need recognition for the stellar service provided by Air New Zealand. It was two newish A320's either way and manned by some of the best staff I have encountered. We were Star Alliance Gold so had the options of seats in Row 1. Water tea/coffee and snacks were provided and a second cup was available for anyone that wanted. Well done Air New Zealand!

San Francisco to Melbourne and may I say never again. I checked in at Seattle (flew with United from SEA-SFO) so my baggage was fine. Arrived at SFO to find out that my aircraft was delayed 6 hours and were never told why. Got on board to have the crew be rude. I had a small child sitting next to me constantly reaching over my tray table and stealing my food from me neither the father or cabin crew did something even when asked. Once arriving in Auckland I had a transit time of what was now reduced to 5 hours originally being 12. When returning to the airport there was a mistake in short-checking my bag as the system still showed my bag checked through to Melbourne. After having this all happen I then had my carry-on luggage weighed. I had taken items out in AKL. I was then found that my bag was 0.5kg over and that it couldn't travel with me even if it was checked. After a lot of negotiation I was finally allowed to take my bag as carry on. Onboard my trans-tasman flight it was quite pleasant however not as great as other airlines I have experienced. I don't recommend Air NZ to anybody.

Flew to LAX from Auckland on May 13 2014 and from San Francisco to Auckland on May 27. The return flight had a horrible selection of movies and TV. The food on both flights was abysmal. There is nothing I can really order to eat that suits my dietary requirements so I chose vegetarian as a last resort. Horrible choice. Will have to bring my own food in future but shouldn't I get a discount for not being provided with a meal?

My first two flights on NZ Air within the last two years were lovely. The food was good the seats decent. I was surprised and impressed that we were given little packs with toothpicks toothpaste etc and there were numerous new movies to watch. This trip from New Zealand to LA was quite different. The chicken was grisly and tough actually inedible there was no little pack to charm us and the seats were tighter. I'm a slim person and felt claustrophobic. I'm looking for a different airline for my next flights from New Zealand. I'd rather pay a little more and enjoy the long flight.

Sydney to YVR via Auckland on 11th May. Airbus A320 SYD - Auckland a joke cramped and ridiculous should not be used for a 3.5 hour journey Auckland to YVR on 777-200ER different story plane showing age however was quite comfortable selected vegetarian option surprisingly good did the reverse journey leaving YVR 28th May again 777-200 ER YVR to Auckland and a much better option 767-300 Auckland to Sydney service efficient. If 777-200ER seating configuration changes to a 3-4-3 as envisaged I definitely would not travel on Air New Zealand management should be forced to endure these cramped seats for 12-14 hours and see way at it feels like.

AKL-YVR B777-200ER. Flight on time. Crew professional and friendly. Regular water runs for overnight flight. Meals were good. IFE provides a good selection but would have benefited from more new releases. Seats were comfortable and I managed to get some sleep. Aisles were somewhat narrow and I understand that the seat configuration is being changed to 3-4-3. I do wonder how uncomfortable this would make this 12 hour flight.

Napier-Auckland-Napier . Two smooth on time flights with the ATR 72 offering more comfort than many short haul jets. Service friendly and professional. Water/coffee/tea and biscuit offered as is the norm for short haul flights within NZ. Some readers bemoan this but would you get similar on a bus or train trip of one hour? Air NZ still offers boiled sweets prior to landing which is a simple but nice touch. Luggage delivered promptly at both ends and check-in efficient too whether assisted (Napier) or through automated machine (Auckland). Auckland Airport domestic terminal is a little tired and dull but it still works.

Flew from BNE-AKL-LAX on the 777-300 for both legs. Paid extra for the paired seats which Air New Zealand sells as 'Preferred' seats. Sat in 35a through to Auckland which was alright. Good to be towards the front of the plane for disembarking but the seats are quite narrow and cramped. Sat in 57k onto LA which was slightly better. Missed out on preferred meal but only because I was right down the end. Food was the best I've had in a long time. Entertainment was great and the ability to order drinks from your screen is very handy. It also means no bells going off through the flight for service. Flight attendants were pretty average. Not great but not rude. I drank a lot of Sauvignon Blanc which was delicious and from New Zealand. All in all or was an average flight. Don't know how I would have felt in the middle section of 4 seats. It clearly isn't comfortable for such a long flight so I don't understand why more airlines are installing this seating pattern.

Flew B777-300 from Brisbane-AKL. Seat service food and were exemplary. Could not fault any point of the service. While I did not get to fully experience the flat-bed that Air New Zealand offers when I had the seat fully reclined I nearly fell asleep. This is a first. Did not use IFE although by the looks of things it was modern with a great selection of movies/TV shows.