Air New Zealand

MEL-AKL-SFO return in J class on NZ's very old 747s. Being a TG Platinum member I don't often travel on other carriers but have no real choice when it comes to the US. Have to say that flying NZ is a predominantly pleasant experience with real food served restaurant style a fantastic lie flat bed (even in the old planes) and great service from experienced cabin crew. So in the air great but on the ground they leave a lot to be desired. The self serve check in at MEL is a joke. It is not a premium service and you need to manually check that your baggage is tagged priority. AKL boarding is a schmozzle with very small gates and loads of passengers. Forget about trying to access the premium boarding gates! So all in all great on board but lousy on ground.

Flew with my business partner AKL-LAX-AKL in Premium Economy on 777-300. Boarding was stress free both sides as we were Premium Economy plus Star Alliance Gold and Koru members so either way we were first on the plane. The flight attendants were available and were there to help right from the start with overhead locker storage etc. Main meals were delivered shortly after take off both ends and the quality of the meals were very similar if not the same to what I've had in business class with each course brought out separately. Quality of the alcohol was good plus it was nice to have a good mug of tea coffee and after dinner mints afterwards. Amenity Packs were the same as in business class. The seat is multi adjustable and obviously nowhere near lie flat but after some adjustment got a nice sleeping position. The seat and footwells accommodated my 6 foot 2 inch frame my only criticism was the footwell that narrows wouldn't accommodate my size 12’s so take your shoes off and rest your feet on the bean bag supplied. The crew both ways were excellent. The quality of service was excellent. The seats being pod design mean your personal space is not encroached on I am disappointed to hear that Premium Economy seating on their Dreamliner or the 777-200 upgrades will not be using this type of seating.

After being an Air NZ fan for 20 plus years just had the worst flight experience on a 777 from San Francisco to Auckland. The flight was overbooked the seats were horribly uncomfortable and the food was terrible. Perhaps Air NZ have fitted another row into economy it is intolerably cramped - my knees touched the seat in front of me and I couldn't comfortably put my arms by my sides for 13 hours! I'm a small woman! The seat in front of me was so close that I couldn't watch a movie! Didn't matter because after 6 hours the entertainment center failed in our row!

Flew from Melbourne Flight 728 January 24th. Asked for works told not available woman next to me got meal. Option should be available if asked for. Films were awful not worth the $10 asked. Water was undrinkable. Prices to fly from Hamilton to Wellington are extortionate just because they have a monopoly.

I fly Air NZ a lot and as always was very happy with the service I received. 1/1/14 AKL-PVG NZ289. The flight was on time check in was smooth and the staff were very friendly as usual. The seat was comfortable and the bed gave me a great sleep on my overnight flight. Flying Air NZ in any class is very nice but they do Business Premier very well!

Brisbane to Auckland to San Francisco 4/12/13 returning 6/12/14 Business Class. Brilliant service on this airline. Love the way they employ mature flight attendants who are so friendly courteous and helpful. Seat folding to flat bed for transpacific flight was wonderfully comfortable. Food was (mostly) delicious with some exceptions.

I travelled alone to NZ via LA on 17th December returning on 8th January both ways as economy passenger. On the outward flight I was lucky enough to be upgraded to a better seat by the LHR lady who checked me in and was happy with everything. Don't expect to be super comfy in economy but this 'preferred seat' was great. On the return flight on checking in at Christchurch for the hop to Auckland (NZ 546 7/1/14 boarding 19.15) I asked the check in attendant if there was any chance of a better seat (mine was 55F one seat in from the aisle in the central row where I had not enough room to pick up something I had dropped on the floor). I was told in no uncertain terms that "I was lucky to have a seat as this flight is overbooked"! I was pretty annoyed. As I had 24hrs flying ahead of me I decided to remain calm and not react. Fortunately at LA (what a dive that is) I asked tentatively if there was any chance of a change of seat and the attendant was able to offer me a window seat 49A which was so much more comfortable I had room to move for which I was most grateful. Apart from the lady at Christchurch I have nothing but praise for the staff both ground and air.

PER-AKL NZ 0176. Good comfortable seat. Female staff unfriendly unhelpful abrupt and unnecessarily rude to some passengers. Seemed they were plain irritated at being "at work." that day. Sat at back so had to accept what was left on the trolley. Food not very good either. Beverages were also slow in being supplied throughout the trip. Tv plus remote did not function properly so did not watch any entertainment. Co-sharing SAA did not do it for me either on the first leg of my trip from SA. Sat on tarmac for an hour before take-off due to a "technical" problem. Will definitely not fly Air NZ again.

Flew Christchurch-Auckland then Auckland-Tokyo. B767-300 ER. Cabin spotless. Staff were very friendly and talkative. Food was great although I wasn't able choose as one of the options had run out. However the lemon pepper chicken was tasty anyway. Lots of great entertainment music and movies were awesome. Didn't get bored the whole flight. Flight left Auckland 20 minutes late and arrived in Tokyo 20 minutes early! A speedy baggage pickup meant I was able to get an early bus to my home town. Saved me about an hour and a half of waiting. Overall a great experience. Highly recommend Air NZ.

My trip was WLG-ACK-LAX/SFO return. Great work. First time flying on air New Zealand despite living in the country for over 15 years. Excellent catering and entertainment. Would use again.