Air NZ Premium Economy

Ikara · #1 (**permalink**) 12th May 2007, 10:45 AM

It looks like I will have to do a rush trip to Washington IAD in the very near future (illness etc.) I know I won't get a QF J Award flight so won't even try, but I don't want to sit in economy. I was flying back from Melbourne last night and didn't get my usual 737 exit row aisle (usually successful 95% of the time) and was contemplating this upcoming trip and I just know I couldn't spend more than 2 hours in an economy seat. All my O/S flying (travel & pleasure) has been at the pointy end.

Is the economy domestic seat pitch the same as international?

So, the nub of the matter. Very, very unlikely to get an award flight (even tho WP & LTG). Not willing to book economy and chance an upgrade. Can't afford the $20k it would cost for the 2 of us to fly J. Is my only option to fly Air NZ Premium Economy. It looks to be about $500 per person dearer than QF Y. Looking at the web site the seats look like re-cycled J class - yes? Is there really that much more legroom?

Is it worth it? Is it my only option? Is there an el-cheapo RTW J class going at the moment?

Thanks in anticipation.

JB

serfty · #2 (**permalink**) 12th May 2007, 01:32 PM

Have you considered Circle Pacific fares? (DCIR22 ex Oz is $7K +++)

Or *Class to HNL (~$@2.5kpp), YUP for HNL-WAS and back (~$2k)

Ikara · #3 (**permalink**) 12th May 2007, 02:09 PM

Serfty - thanks. Hadn't even given Jet* a second thought. I tend to focus on mainstream airlines (that statement could cause some discussion

).

YUP doesn't compute though. Economy upgrade or an airline code??

JB

NM · #4 (**permalink**) 12th May 2007, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ikara

YUP doesn't compute though. Economy upgrade or an airline code??

YUP is a bare type from AA. Its a discounted first class, disguised to look like a Y fare. It books straight into either A or P depending on the fare type. They are also sometimes called KUP. Search AA.com for "First Class with restrictions" when using their on-line engine.

Kiwi Flyer · #5 (**permalink**) 13th May 2007, 03:37 AM

NZ premium economy seats are just economy seats with extra pitch (legroom), footrest and recline. Might be fractionally wider than economy too? Definitely not an old business class seat.

Premium economy now gets business food & drink, and use of AKL premium check in facility. Other amenities are same as economy (ie need status or koru club membership to get lounge access).

serfty · #6 (**permalink**) 13th May 2007, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ikara

... YUP doesn't compute though. Economy upgrade or an airline code??

JB

There a bit on this thread here: Good SC earning value ex HNL travelling AA First. (Although that's more in terms of a MR, but you'll get the idea).

Basically you'll get the big seats.

I note your trip is "in the very near future". This may make the use of these fares ex HNL a bit harder; you need to look for flights with P or A availability.

Kiwi Flyer · #7 (**permalink**) 14th May 2007, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiwi Flyer

NZ premium economy seats are just economy seats with extra pitch (legroom), footrest and recline. Might be fractionally wider than economy too? Definitely not an old business class seat.

Premium economy now gets business food & drink, and use of AKL premium check in facility. Other amenities are same as economy (ie need status or koru club membership to get lounge access).

Correction - other amenities not all the same as economy. It seems the headset is now better than the economy one, plus premium economy pax get ear plugs and eye mask.