Air New Zealand

My wife and I have flown with Air New Zealand from Canada to Queenstown using premium economy since 2006. While the Premium Economy price is considerably more than the economy we have willingly paid the difference for the comfort experienced on the long haul. Over the years we have experienced a variety of seating arrangements from the noticeable wider seats with more leg room to the "moon seats" which proved extremely uncomfortable and ultimately to the 777-200 flight which offered us the worst imaginable flight experience. The seats on our last trip to Queenstown and return were much narrower. We questioned our memory of past flights and finally checked the economy seats. Unfortunately economy seats did not look smaller than the premium economy. Our trip on January 4th this year to Queenstown found us on the long haul flight bumping elbows as we sat. There was no extra room to turn to choose a comfortable spot for sleeping. To use the phrase "disappointing" with reference to our latest trip and my own flight to Queenstown last May of 2014 is an understatement. The cost of our travel from Toronto to Queenstown was very close to $10000 for two adults. When advised by two friends who also traveled to Queenstown one week after us that their individual economy fares were in the region of $2500 each I am left wondering why so much was paid for so little. The premium economy accommodation would seem to be excessive in light of the meagre room afforded to your patrons of this class. I would be interested to know why customer care has been cut back and to what end. The crew are wonderful and every attempt is made within the cabin to accommodate travellers. Too bad that travel space is now cramped for premium economy patrons.

NZ2 (AKL-LAX) Seat 46D. One of the most uncomfortable long flights of my life. The seats are extremely uncomfortable with poor cushioning. Couldn't get comfortable at all. Front pouch space is a joke. Cant put anything there. Had to put my cellphone on the floor. I drink water quite a bit on long flights and there was no cup holder like on other planes (usually on under side of tray). Had to bring down the tray to put my water cup. Unhappy with AirNZ cabin layout.

We flew Brisbane to Auckland and then on to San Francisco (I wish they flew direct from AU to the USA rather than transiting through NZ though). I'm 186cm tall and fairly solidly built but found these Spaceseats very comfortable. Their 777-300 planes are beautifully presented and the crew are always so friendly and helpful. I hate flying long haul as I find the seats so uncomfortable on other airlines. We flew Qantas PE to LA last year via Sydney on their A380 and found the whole experience very average. What I love about the Spaceseat is that you don't have some clown reclining into your personal space forcing your food into your face or spilling your drink. The TV screen is fine just move it to a better position. There is plenty of room even for larger folk. It's so comfortable and the cabin is nice and private. The purple beanbag/footrest is very welcome. Flip your shoes off and settle in. The only thing that could be improved is the recline seating should be electronic buttons rather than manual. Ignore the negative reviews you will love this seat! Add to that the exceptional Air NZ service and you can't go wrong. I look forward to trying the PE in their new 787 planes but somehow feel that it will be a step backwards.

These new refit by Air NZ are a horrific experience on a long haul. The narrowest seats with the least legroom I have measured. Less room and smaller than Air Asia seats. When reclined cannot see the PTV screen as the angle is wrong. Guy next to me was half on top of me. I was in the isle seat and was kept awake the entire trip by people bumping into me. People behind me were banging into the back rest and its impossible to recline because then you are right on top of the person behind. It was a nightmare trip and I had jet lag for days after. My advice is to not travel on this aircraft at all on long haul flight.

I'm a fairly frequent flyer on many different airlines. This is the most uncomfortable flight I have ever experienced. Very little seat width or leg room but worst of all the seat offers absolutely no lumber/lower back support. I chose to stand at the back of the plane for over 20 mins of the flight to give my self some relief from the discomfort.

Premium Economy Auckland to LAX and one of the best long haul flights we have experienced. We scored an upgrade (paid) to Business on the way back and although the ability to sleep on an actual bed on an overnight flight was a real plus we found there was a lot less personal space in Business compared to Premium Economy. The downside was having to fly economy-class Auckland to Adelaide (single class plane only). I literally had to get out the seat 3 times during the 4 hour flight as my leg became so numb I was concerned any longer locked in that position would lead to serious health issues. I was unable to point my foot upwards and had to sit locked in a splayed position whilst seated. I can't imagine how I would have coped with a 12 hour flight in that position.

If you are considering the Air New Zealand premium economy option do not waste your money. I have flown this class with other providers without concern but the "spaceseat" is the most uncomfortable and worst ergonomic design My wife and I have ever experienced. There is no foot rest very poor reclining and tilt options and poor head rest design. The spaceseat provides NO place to put things (except my glasses case) any drink bottle book etc had to go on the floor or in the overhead locker. The diagonal configuration creates a number of problems you need to twist at an odd angle to watch your video screen or if you extend it out on the arm it ends up very close to your face and prevents you leaving the seat without disturbing the person next to you. The video remote is located in the seat by your elbow as a result is very easy to activate the functions when attempting to sleep (no chance too uncomfortable) I managed to turn on my screen and overhead lights and call the flight attendant all when trying to sleep. If you own a motor bike and lock it up with a huge chain you will appreciate the seat belt design . Air NZ staff were very good as was the food and wine. But the seats I felt I had spend 12 hours on the rack in some castle dungeon. You have been warned go economy and buy 3 seats between two.

We had a sky couch and as I am 6 foot 4 inches this was really a waste of time other than having an extra seat between the two of us. We just couldn't get comfortable on the flight to get in a sleeping position. The sky couch is rendered virtually useless when the seats in front fully recline and reduce the seating space dramatically. There were two sets of people on our side of the plane with sky couch but neither used it. I made the mistake of booking a sky couch rather than an exit row that would have been a better and cheaper option for us. Air New Zealand pack an extra seat in economy and this reduces the width of seat and that may make an uncomfortable journey for wide people.

Close to toilets means disturbance when trying to sleep. Queuing random bumping from crew and other passengers and light from the toilet door all contribute. Slightly less recline due to partition wall behind.

Trans Tasman economy class seating is very tight. I don't think I have every been in an aircraft with such small space. Absolutely no leg room. (I'm male 5'11) If the pax in front reclines during meal service you will be wearing it and video screen ends up 6 inches from your face.