Which way round? Flight to New Zealand.

pimento

We're going to New Zealand in November. It looks like it might be a tad too expensive to fly business class both ways so I think we're going to go Premium Economy one way and business class the other.

We've never been before so my question is, which sector will we appreciate the sleeping flat business class seats the most? Going out or coming back?

We're flying east on the way out and west on the way back avoiding the US.

The outward flight is two sectors a 10 hour and then an eleven hour flight. The first takes off at 1030am so it should be daylight for a lot of the way and we'll be excited so may not want to sleep. Or will we?

Anyone done the trip and have any tips?

Softstuff

I fly Manchester - Singapore, Singapore - Brisbane each year (return) and that's a pretty similar trip. I've only ever done it economy (though I choose the best seats online with extra legroom) and it's not as bad as you might think.

Sometimes I sleep plenty during, sometimes just an hour or two, but it's manageable. And this is even with a tumour in my leg that can be quite painful after sitting long periods!

I don't know if you've flown long-haul previously, but if not you might be interested to know that legroom is usually better, as is entertainment. Food and drink is pretty much available on demand, even in economy (I spent an hour last flight stood in the galley chatting with a stewardess and being offered food and drink). So it isn't like flying economy on shorter flights.

I debated with airmiles I'm accruing whether I would upgrade a flight or 2 to business class, but am erring on the side of no. I've seen business class in a few airlines and while there are some improvements I've never felt they're worth the money really. It's horses for courses, but if I were you I'd stick with premium economy all the way and spend the rest of the money on holiday.
Or, and this is an option I've enjoyed in the past, have a nights stopover on the way over. I'm not sure where your flight breaks, but mine tends to be Singapore, and it's a very enjoyable place to spend a short stopover.

pimento

Great stuff Sortstuff. We are looking at Korean Air for the business class leg and stopping for a couple of night in Soeul (because we want to not because we have to) but we're really not too fussed about where we stop.

The longest flight I ever did was LHR-LAX but that was way back in 1979 and I was a slip of a girl. I'm now 50 something and my slumming it days are over. The other consideration is that premium economy isn't that much cheaper than KA's business class with a lie flat seat.

Where do you source your ticket? Direct from the airline or do you use an agent?

Gloomendoom

I'd choose the business class on the way out because that is when you will get the jet lag problems. Coming back isn't so bad.

BTW I'd recommend Air New Zealand via LAX.

pimento

Not going via the US. Point of principle.

WelshSun

Via LAX equals bad idea. US Immigration is a nightmare, going through Asia (Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Tokyo, Bangkok, Dubai- take you pick!) is much easier and far less stressful.

IMO Business Class is worth it, you get far better service than economy, and sometimes it can be very good value.

Singapore, Korean, JAL, Malaysian and similar all have highly rated business classes- do note though that Korean and JAL have limited western style food and some cabin crew won't speak good English. I would advise Singapore, the airline and the city are wonderful.

I would say fly out there business, as it will make the first few days of your holiday much better, you can lie in bed all day recovering from jet lag when you are back at home! lol :P

pimento

Thanks WelshSun. You've given my exact reasons for not wanting to fly via LAX.
We're looking at Korean because I can do a return business class for about £2800 each. The cheapest premium economy I can find is about £2200 each making Korean Air look very reasonable. I don't care about the food (I quite like Asian food) and I'm not bothered much about the cabin crew. What I really want is a modicom of comfort. If I can find another airline for the same price I'd consider almost any airline and stopover with a couple of provisos, no middle east stops and I'd rather not fly Aeroflot of China Airlines.

Picky? Moi? )

pimento

Oh and we'll be leaving Auckland on the Saturday and I'll be (hopefully) be back at work on Monday morning.

alanrowell

pimento wrote: »

The outward flight is two sectors a 10 hour and then an eleven hour flight. The first takes off at 1030am so it should be daylight for a lot of the way

About half the sector will be in daylight. On Korean Air you'll be reaching Seoul around dawn

pimento

That sounds fantastic! We arrived in Delhi at dawn and it was just magical.

Murphy_The_Cat

A collegue of mine flew to NZ with Air NZ and raved about it for weeks. For HIM, the 34" seat pitch made travelling Cattle Class enjoyable and not an endurance.
He did travel via LAX, but if IIRC, they fly via Asia as well. The savings for travelling Peasant rather than Peasant Plus were considerable

It would be worth checking that the 34" seat pitch is still available