Which way round? Flight to New Zealand.

Gloomendoom

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

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

That's why I recommended Air NZ. I'm 6'4" and I was comfortable in cattle class. That doesn't happen often.

US immigration at LAX was pleasant and easy. Smiling and cheerful immigration officials. They even shared a joke. We were waved into the US citizens lane and the whole process took no more than ten minutes.

pimento

Did you have to do the ESTA song and dance?

ariba10

We went Air New Zealand via L A. Could not fault them.

Had the Jet Lag after the return flight.

pimento

Did you fly economy class, ariba?

ariba10

Yes. If we go again, we would do the same.

Softstuff

pimento wrote: »

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

I tend to go direct now, but only fly Singapore Airlines. I've flown with a few other airlines, and although some come out a couple of hundred dollars cheaper, the service on Singapore airlines and the stop in Singapore makes it worthwhile.

Etihad have been the cheapest available for my flights for a bit, but I tried it once and won't do it again, I don't like Abu Dhabi and the service was terse at best (I had to beg repeatedly just for water). Qantas is pleasant service but a bit shabby on the aircraft. Emirates is nice enough, but again the service is quite impersonal and not as liberal, Dubai isn't as bad as Abu Dhabi for a stopover, but I got food poisoning at the airport so am biased!

As I said, I don't find any discomfort in economy, despite some physical difficulties. I used to find short trips Manchester - Dalaman or Istanbul much less pleasant.

I wouldn't fancy a trip through US immigration just for a short stopover. Singapore would be my pick, easy, smiley, simple. I suspect a stop in Seoul would be quite easy too, so wouldn't mind that.

In contrast to Gloomendoom, I'm always more jetlagged after the return. The excitement of being somewhere different keeps me pretty awake when I should be. When I get home after it's a different story, I spend a week getting a bit sleepy in the afternoons. The key to managing jet lag for me is to try and adopt the correct sleeping pattern on the way over, and go to bed at an appropriate time when I arrive. Easier said than done though.

Sorry for the waffle, hope it was a tiny bit useful!

pimento

Softstuff, that wasn't waffle it's all useful stuff.

One thing that someone said to me keeps popping up in my brain. "Four hours into a 24 hour flight in an uncomfortable seat makes you think you'd give every penny you own for an upgrade to business class". The one thing that's putting me off economy/premium economy is the thought of being stuck if it's not as comfortable as I'd hoped.

blindman

pimento wrote: »

Softstuff, that wasn't waffle it's all useful stuff.

One thing that someone said to me keeps popping up in my brain. "Four hours into a 24 hour flight in an uncomfortable seat makes you think you'd give every penny you own for an upgrade to business class". The one thing that's putting me off economy/premium economy is the thought of being stuck if it's not as comfortable as I'd hoped.

Worthwhile looking at Flyertalk for comparison of business classes on offer and cost.

NZ Business seating is the same as Virgin UC and IIRC they have a good soft product (crew\food\lounges)

I flew Tokyo-Christchuch NZ Business a couple of years back and it was good. (Used FF miles so can't compare costs).

Fly out Biz-Back PE.

LAX-Sometimes good, sometimes bad-only done one transit-no complaints.

mynameistallulah

blindman wrote: »

Worthwhile looking at Flyertalk for comparison of business classes on offer and cost.

Yes, especially today - people are reporting BA Club returns to Oz for c. £2,500 - might be worth seeing how NZ compares?

pimento

I can't find where they're talking about it. All I can find is people in the US. I must be doing something wrong.