qantas vs. air nz?

sesame · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 8:57 am Post subject: qantas vs. air nz?

has anyone flown qantas from LA?
how does it compare to air nz other than offering lower fares it looks like... Uhoh

thanks.

kiwi · Valued Member Joined: 02 Apr 2004 Posts: 126

Qanatas...better service.

sesame · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 9:25 am Post subject:

thanks kiwi!

Razz

you're great! Yes

Raeven · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 12:30 pm Post subject:

Hi, Sesame,

I agree with Kiwi, Qantas has better service hands down! But if you're moving over, Air NZ allows 64 kg of luggage vs. something like 20 kg by Qantas. Something to think about.

All the best, Rae

sesame · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 12:44 pm Post subject:

Hi, Rae,

Thank you for sharing that information - so many little precious and important details to collect!

i guess i'll have to weigh the shipping charges versus the airlines allowances and charges - i believe someone mentioned that air nz also offers 50% reduction on air freight if you book with them.
we'll only be shipping a few things (organic futons, toys, juicer and various other 'kitcheny' things .....) do you recommend a certain company for that? a custom made crate?

by the way, rae, i love your stove story - i've worked in many a fine restaurant - and can TRULY appreciate a good stove .....

Yes

se~

Moorf · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 12:49 pm Post subject:

A tip for the Brits too - have been advised by friend in NZ that flying via USA you get a much larger luggage allowance than if flying via Asia.

Not sure why - speculations welcome!! Laughing

Moorf

Bill B · Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2004 5:39 am Post subject: Thumbs up for ANZ

Hi folks,

When we went out to NZ (Feb '03), we flew with Air NZ (via LA). Prices were very competitive considering time of year. Luggage allowance was extremely good (can't remember exact details, but something like 60 kgs. per person + more than enough hand luggage). One other factor why we chose Air NZ was the legroom.....I think it was 32", somewhat more than anyone else. As I had never flown long haul before, I wanted to make sure we were going to be as comfortable as possible. I can certainly say that it made a big difference. Maybe it's something for others to consider?
By the way, the service and food was excellent, and until such time as that service deteriorates, we will stick with ANZ.

Bill B

Raeven · Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2004 7:03 am Post subject:

Hi, Sesame,

sesame · Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2004 1:49 pm Post subject:

Oh, Rae, bless your spicy heart!
i know how you must feel! Uhoh

juniper berries, CHILI (we live in new mexico need i say more), cilantro, epizote, corn tortillas, tomatillos, salsa verde - oh yes - such good indigenous stuff!
BUT Yes

i have a feeling that even greater and grander culinary delights await us in nz!! i'm sure there are native chili peppers and herbs and amazing fruits and
veg (i know about the apples, bananas, oranges and avocados - but nz'ders - need some help here now Razz

) - so Rae, from one gourmand to another - i feel your pain..... one more thing - does this mean i have to say good-bye to my kefir starter culture? 'she' has been with us for 14 years, kinda like family you know.... Rolling Eyes

se~

sesame · Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2004 1:53 pm Post subject:

Hi, Bill,

my husband says thank you! he is 6'2.
i NEVER would have thought to ask anyone about the available legroom - i'm 5'6 Wink

se~[/b]

Tanya · Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2004 6:39 pm Post subject:

For anyone else thinking of legroom - below is what I found on the internet. - Air NZ is actually 34" not 32 as mentioned previously.

Airline Pitch (in inches)

Air Canada 34
Air New Zealand 34
American Airlines 34
Lufthansa 34
Malaysian 34
Thai Airways 34
Garud Indonesia 33
Aer Lingus 32
Cathay Pacific 32
EL AL 32
Emirate 32
Gulf Air 32
Japan Airlines 32
SAS 32
Singapore Airlines 32
United Airlines 32
British Airways 31
Contintental 31
Qantas 31

It all helps!

Tanya

kiwi · Valued Member Joined: 02 Apr 2004 Posts: 126

Forget qantas, go with air nz!!!

If you are flying to chch after nov, they are putting an LA service DIRECT to here, yay ...at last! disneyland here I come :)

The other one that flies direct to chch, other than singapore is JAL on a Tuesday...I flew with them and they were great (that was the London trip though, you would have to meet the flight in Japan from America....quicker to just come straight to nz from LA!)

Does it sound like I am wanting everyone to come to chch? Look, I have even made it easier for you with a choice of airlines straight here instead of fumbling around in Auckland...sorted!
Nice One

Nic

michelle · Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2004 12:44 am Post subject:

These charts regarding leg room can generalise, for example leg room can vary between aircraft for example Emirates is 32 on some aircraft and 34 on others. If you can be bothered you can check the airlines web site, look at the routes this will usually tell you the aircraft type and then somewhere it will tell you the seat pitch. May take a while but I find its worthwhile and as I work for an airline I am a bit of an "anorak" with anything to do with aircraft.

On a personal note I think the following

Singapore, great service, good seats, good routings, good entertainment. Wonderful in both economy and business

BA, cramped, hit and miss service. Business very good but I feel their economy has suffered as a result. Also have economy extra which is the same service as economy but bigger seat and 38" seat pitch

Air NZ, Reasonable comfort but poor entertainment and service was very disappointing

Qantas, only flown business so thought it was great

Emirates, good individual entertainment, poor food in both business and economy, good seating.

Cathay Pacific, varies but can be a bit cramped.

My main tip is to get an aisle seat, extra leg room can be good but its often near to the toilets and on long flights its not great you can have people queing and leaning against your seat plus the "lovely" aroma. The seats can also be a bit narrower because the video monitors and seat tables are built into the armrest.

Also try and avoid seats near the galleys, cabin crew are not the quietest people ! I know I have done it for 17 years.

Shellie

Timbo · Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2004 2:15 am Post subject:

Are you going to be brave and tell us which one you work for?

sesame · Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2004 3:05 am Post subject:

thanks to ALL of you for the interesting info! Yes

by the way, do they actually 'fumigate' inside the plane prior to arrival in nz?

is it a turbulent route? Uhoh

i believe certain times of year the rides can be more turbulent than others ? ....oh yes, i am going to get through this flight ...... i started developing pre boarding panic attacks 5 years ago (i was just taking off on a flight to hawaii and somehow the plane hit turbulence RIGHT at take-off - and was thrown all over the place - could have been some desert air phenomena)- and i haven't be able to fly since. now i will be flying with my husband and son and well - i'm going to brave it - but any advice would be appreciated. i was told that flying business class would help me a great deal (more attention, food, drinks...) but that is not an option for us

it's helps to talk about it here on line, it sounds like you all are seasoned travellers.... so that's a good first step for me. Rolling Eyes

se~

...funny thing is - i really ENJOY flying ... i am very sensitive to motion though - get doozy just swinging on the swing at the playground! Nutcase

that's why a boot trip in not an option ..... would mean weeks of torture - i've done it - across the atlantic.

oh, and i unfortunately can't stomach too much alcohol either (or valium for that matter.... maybe a beer or two, ... that'll definitely be happening!) Shy