I got a call from NZ reservations today to inform me that our SYD-AKL flight (NZ104) on Dec 23rd has been rescheduled, an having checked the online schedules I see that it has been upgauged from a 320 to a 74E. Result! Of course a 74R would be nicer, but still I ain't complaining. Given christmas overbooking I'm even optimistic that this could be one of those rare occasions that my *G status might even get me a look-in at an op-up... we'll see. At least there are plenty of premium seats to be filled on a 744, unlike the 320.
On the subject of premium seats, assuming that we're on an old-config 747, are the main-deck business class seats sold as economy class? If so, how do I go about snaring a couple of those? Or are they only assigned at check-in?
I wouldn't call it "brutal". It's 33-34" which isn't bad... although it might get uncomfortable on the longer flights
Cheers
60" is acceptable, anything less is brutal :p
Downstairs "business" seats are nowadays only sold as Premium Economy Trans-Tasman, on flights where it is unclear if the aircraft will be a refurbished one.
Given that your A320 wouldn't have sold any PPE seats, it seems unlikely to be sell a full Business Cabin now. I would think that an op-up is unlikely, and that you will need to redeem either a complimentary or points upgrade.
Anyone? :confused:
Don't know if you will get the refiited a/c.
Yes EK seat pitch is apparently brutal but it might be okay for a 3 hour flight i reckon and look at how much you save! J on EK is much cheaper than either NZ or QF..considerably so.
I wouldn't call it "brutal". It's 33-34" which isn't bad... although it might get uncomfortable on the longer flights
Cheers
It sounds like EK's seat pitch is brutal but the IFE sounds amazing. Anyway, I'll try to do a mini-report.
Don't know if you will get the refiited a/c.
Yes EK seat pitch is apparently brutal but it might be okay for a 3 hour flight i reckon and look at how much you save! J on EK is much cheaper than either NZ or QF..considerably so.
I wouldn't call it "brutal". It's 33-34" which isn't bad... although it might get uncomfortable on the longer flights
Cheers
I wouldn't call 33-34" brutal either, and in fact that is what I thought the seat pitch was. The last time I flew EK, on one of their then-new 777s in 1999, the pitch was about that, which is pretty good. However, doing some research on the EK board indicated that the seat pitch in Y on the A345 is actually 31"... and that I *would* call brutal!
no idea sorry
on the off chance they retain requested seat number, perhaps choose 16 through 19 A or F?
With 3 days to go until the flight, I had a look on the KVS availability tool to check loadings, and here's what I found:
[KVS Availability Tool - Apollo: ITN/UA/US] (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2804833#post2804833)
SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith NS AU [YSSY]
AKL Auckland Int'l NZ [NZAA]
FRI 23 Dec 2005
Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Availability
--------- ------ ---- --------- ---- --------- ---- -- -----------------------------------------------------
NZ 104 SYD 12:00 AKL 17:00 74E 0 C4 D4 Z2 Y0 B7 M0 H0 Q0 V0 W0 T0 L0 S0 G0 K7 0 0 0
A few observations sprang to mind. Firstly, why would Y be showing as 0 when B, a lower economy class fare bucket, has at least 7? :confused: I note that there are at least 2 Z seats open as well, which indicates that business must be fairly wide open. All in all the op-up situation is looking like it could go either way... I guess it depends on whether NZ is already overselling Y to make up for the empty J seats. If anyone has access to any more detailed information on the loadings for this flight I'd love to hear them!
Also, if anyone knows whether this is currently scheduled to be operated by a refitted aircraft, that would be very handy to know as well... though I know these things are all subject to change. Even if in regular Y seat, I'd be very curious to sample the new product and IFE, since on my return in Jan, due to exorbitant NZ$600 one way ticket prices on NZ and QF, I will be flying on EK's A345 CHC-SYD for $299. It sounds like EK's seat pitch is brutal but the IFE sounds amazing. Anyway, I'll try to do a mini-report.
If you want a seat in the downstairs J area (or upstairs U) area if they are not in use try asking at ckin, in the lounge, at the gate and if necessary on-board. Of course if the aircraft is full at the back NZ may already have moved you into one of these seats, but with Y service of course ;)
Downstairs "business" seats are nowadays only sold as Premium Economy Trans-Tasman, on flights where it is unclear if the aircraft will be a refurbished one.
That's good to know, thanks.
Given that your A320 wouldn't have sold any PPE seats, it seems unlikely to be sell a full Business Cabin now. I would think that an op-up is unlikely, and that you will need to redeem either a complimentary or points upgrade.
I don't quite follow your logic - I agree that the business section is highly unlikely to be full, but if Y class fills up and gets oversold (reasonably likely given that it's Dec 23rd) doesn't that make an op-up relatively likely (I say that bearing in mind the fact that NZ almost never op-up, so it would be "relative" to the usual likelihood, ie almost nothing). In previous years I've used airpoints upgrades for those pre-Christmas flights and always got them, however I've often had the impression that I might have got an upgrade anyway as Y was oversold and J clearly had space available.
This year I don't have enough airpoints dollars to upgrade 2 pax anyway, so I'm going to have to take my chances! I think we've probably got a decent chance of a J seat/Y service, and a very distant chance of a proper upgrade... but I'll certainly give it a go!
That's good to know, thanks.
I don't quite follow your logic - I agree that the business section is highly unlikely to be full, but if Y class fills up and gets oversold (reasonably likely given that it's Dec 23rd) doesn't that make an op-up relatively likely (I say that bearing in mind the fact that NZ almost never op-up, so it would be "relative" to the usual likelihood, ie almost nothing). In previous years I've used airpoints upgrades for those pre-Christmas flights and always got them, however I've often had the impression that I might have got an upgrade anyway as Y was oversold and J clearly had space available.
This year I don't have enough airpoints dollars to upgrade 2 pax anyway, so I'm going to have to take my chances! I think we've probably got a decent chance of a J seat/Y service, and a very distant chance of a proper upgrade... but I'll certainly give it a go!
In the same boat, with NZ 124 MEL - AKL on Jan 10 being shown as a 74E.
Only problem is that it is on redeemed United Airmiles (20 years old and had to use some this year or lose the balance - it shows my age)
Still, I will keep my fingers crossed.
That's good to know, thanks.
I don't quite follow your logic - I agree that the business section is highly unlikely to be full, but if Y class fills up and gets oversold (reasonably likely given that it's Dec 23rd) doesn't that make an op-up relatively likely (I say that bearing in mind the fact that NZ almost never op-up, so it would be "relative" to the usual likelihood, ie almost nothing). In previous years I've used airpoints upgrades for those pre-Christmas flights and always got them, however I've often had the impression that I might have got an upgrade anyway as Y was oversold and J clearly had space available.
This year I don't have enough airpoints dollars to upgrade 2 pax anyway, so I'm going to have to take my chances! I think we've probably got a decent chance of a J seat/Y service, and a very distant chance of a proper upgrade... but I'll certainly give it a go!
F on EK is considerably cheaper than J on NZ/QF.
 Suggestion for cool sorting options
 Unwanted bonus
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Downstairs J seats on 74E SYD-AKL: economy or business?