[T-R3xx]

My wife and I are leaving the 'sproglets' with grandma and are going to be checking out Wellington and Chch at the end of November (The 'recon' mission.)

Q: Which airline has the best 'coach' class seating, leg room, food, wine, etc. coming from SFO or LAX?

I would love to hear about experiences with specific airlines, likes, dislikes, and such. We want to get the best deal, but it has to be comfortable, too. We both are taller than average.

And no, we can't afford business class! (Someday, maybe...)

Thanks!!!

Pearce

[jubjub]

http://www.airlinequality.com/Product/seats_global.htm

Here is a leg room guide.

Only airlines I can comment on are BA and Air New Zealand, was happy with both of them.

[T-R3xx]

Wow - great site. Thanks!! Air NZ is looking pretty good.

Pearce

[clg]

I flew both Qantas and ANZ, service about a wash between the two. Better goodie bags on Qantas but the leg room on ANZ is the big winner for us, I'm 6' 4"

[selchie]

AirNZ has decent food & (free) wine, and the attendants are nice. Leg room didn't seem much different from other airlines, but I'm a shorty.

[foolsgold99]

Hi Pearce,

Regardless of airline, the best flight expereince is a on a quiet flight. Doesn't matter about anything else, a low load factor (less than 70%) and it's great.

Leg room is important, but if the seat next to you is empty, then you have way more space, and on a quiet flight the toilets are a much more pleasent experience.

I flew from LAX, on ANZ, with a 40% load. Very pleasent flight, got 4 seats (across the middle) to my self to sleep on. Crew were fine, decent food.

Do United fly from LAx/SFO to NZ ? I've did long haul with them before and really enjoyed it.

As to finding a quiet flight, I have no idea how you do that. :?

[neilw71]

Nope - United no longer service New Zealand. Remeber that Air NZ are in the progress of refits for the fleet of 747s and I think the SFO route is getting them first (I stand corrected if others know for sure). That will bring the IFE into line with all other airlines and make it a much better product.

I'd ring Air NZ in SFO and check with them. I think your only choices on a direct flight are Air NZ or Qantas/BA?

Neil