787 Premium Economy AKL-PER

[Shamrock55]

Have to visit Perth soon for work, company only pays for Premium Economy so I'm thinking of trying the WLG-AKL-PER PE service.

My other option is WLG-SYD-PER with Qantas in Economy with which I do have lounge access, I am OW gold but doubt its worth splurging points to get into business on either of the legs.

So wondering what peoples opinions are of the PE seats on the 787? Are they better or on par with the 777 PE which I've used before?

 

[TomVexille]

A NZ FA that I spoke to on a flight earlier this year is of the opinion that they are more comfortable than the spaceseat.

 

[AviationNZ]

The 773 Spaceseat is a love/hate product, but the 789 and 772 product is more traditional and has been getting very good reviews. I flew it recently from HKG to AKL and loved it...great pitch, recline, leg rest, food, wine, etc...

 

[NZflygirl]

Easy - go the 789.

I like the 773 PE spaceseats quite a lot.
Had an aircraft change and got the 772 refurb for PE once and it was cloth, much like the A320 type of cloth, 2-4-2 layout IIRC. I was buggared and had been asleep but that's just what I think I remember. (Edit: Funny just looked at website for 772 refurb and it showed leather type seat - I must have been dead tired!)
789 PE seating is 2-3-2, but black leather? (I'm terrible with textiles/textures but something smooth and comfy), anyway, I prefer the 789 PE seat to the 772 for PE. The plane is just better as well for advertised reasons - quieter, you feel less dry at the end of your flight.

I prefer NZ's 789 PE over QF's 738 business. I think QF's width may have been a teency bit more than PE on 789 but I like the recline, footrest (make sure you flick the button by your knees - I think that helps get it out to length), legroom. As for QFs A330-200 I don't mind economy actually probably because it's 2-4-2 and I had a seat free next to me but was light loads. I think the refurbed A332 is worth the points to upgrade especially if you're using the lie flat feature. I did notice they were doing transcon for 1199 rather than the usual 1999 for Jan but it's still a big ask. But I think you're still just under 50% of the fleet being refurbed so I wouldn't use points to upgrade unless I knew that plane had the new product ie on departure upgrade from the lounge.

If you look at air NZ's website for the 789 it is that. Amenity kit. Comes in plastic and doesn't have... either the lip balm or face cream, can't remember which.
I like sav blanc and pinot noirs so prefer the NZ wine selection over QF. Post take off drink, you get entree, bread basket, choice of 2 or 3 mains, can't remember, and then dessert. More booze if needed. A few sandwiches coming into Perth with about 2-3 choices and maybe something from bakery like a muffin or something or fruit? It's been a few months sorry! Don't know about A332's business catering - been asleep on redeye. Have been on the other nonrefurb and I remember one of the dishes being a pita type thing with lamb which I thought was nice but I can't remember the rest. A non alcoholic red sparkling wine before take off?

I'd also rather transit in Akl than Syd. And I think I prefer NZ's IFE over QF. And the obvious - it does beat economy for mid haul distance.

 

[Shamrock55]

Good info, many thanks.

I think i'll give the PE 787 option a try, will be spending a lot of time on Qantas 737s this year so will be a nice change. Just feels a bit silly to not keep points and status with my main program (QF), though I think I might make silver Airpoints after this trip.

Do AIRNZ still accept paid lounge access?

 

[NZflygirl]

Weird I tried editing my post re:the 772 but it didn't save - the website makes it look like you get leather, I did say I was tired... Anyway, not relevant to you for this trip.

That's a bit of a toughy bringing in status credits and points to the picture. You don't want to get to the end of your year and be just a few shy of the next tier but I'll leave that up to you to gauge. If you're not flying NZ afterwards then the lounge passes and RU won't be of much value to you.

I don't think Air NZ do paid access anymore. Saw something about a passenger tweeting Air NZ asking and the reply was they were no longer doing it and on looking through their website I can't find the info about ad-hoc entry. There's no references to it on a quick search.

Is there any chance you could post your dates somewhere and be guested in? Have to admit I've let a couple of essentially strangers in on 2 occasions. Or any chance you have an Airpoints credit card with lounge passes? Or priority pass? Is koru club worth purchasing for a discount via the credit card if you might fly them again in future? I think $nzd435 (excluding the annual cc fee). Otherwise it's a small bite somewhere and maybe a couple of drinks to fill the time??

One more thing - try VA's website as well. I found flying business on both NZ and VA legs to Perth was cheaper by $200 than buying PE AKL-PER for my dates. Then flip the FF number back to Air NZ so you still might make silver. But the VA leg will give you APD only, no SP earn. Won't have to worry about lounge access. Slick connection time via MEL also.

 

[NZ_Flyer]

You could always bid for a Oneup upgrade to J. And if this is confirmed prior to check-in then you'll have lounge access.

 

[N860CR]

There's a priority pass/paid lounge you can use at AKL. I think it's $55NZ if you don't have priority pass. Nothing special... But it's better than the terminal

 

[AviationNZ]

Had an aircraft change and got the 772 refurb for PE once and it was cloth, much like the A320 type of cloth, 2-4-2 layout IIRC. I was buggared and had been asleep but that's just what I think I remember. (Edit: Funny just looked at website for 772 refurb and it showed leather type seat - I must have been dead tired!)

Yeap, the 789 and 772 PE are exactly the same seats, only difference being 2-3-2 and 2-4-2 configurations.

Do AIRNZ still accept paid lounge access?

Unfortunately not, this was removed recently following the lounge refurbishments.

 

[cory]

AirNZ in general have the best premium economy product in my opinion and the 787-9 is fantastic.

 

[RTWtraveler]

We recently did a round the world PE with Cathay, Luft and AirNZ and hands down AirNZ topped them.

 

[Shamrock55]

Well I have to say the experience was superb. Service was top notch from a very happy crew who were very attentive, the dreamliner itself is excellent, really liked the seat, IFE and especially the big windows. Being able to keep them tinted during the day yet still look out and gaze at the scenery is awesome. Got a lot of work done before lunch, then kicked back and enjoyed the Sav and an excellent meal. Afterwards the crew were still very much attentive and kept coming with wine, tea and snacks. I felt great upon landing and able to hit the ground running without feeling dry and coughpy due to the 787's lower cabin altitude. The rest of the day was actually productive instead of feeling terrible like you usually do after a 7 hour flight. What was also very handy was being let deboard ahead of both J and Y cabins meaning I was through immigration and in a taxi within minutes of landing.

Came back to NZ in an old QF A330 and 737 that really felt ancient in comparison...can't wait till Qantas join the 787 club next year.

Thanks for the advice!