Air New Zealand Business Class (777)

[blackcat20]

Two weeks ago, we flew home from the US on Air New Zealand, booked in Y. But thanks to a recent status match to Airpoints, I had two recognition upgrades available in my account, and I was lucky enough to be upgraded to J for the flight home (LAX-AKL). I've not noticed any reviews on Air NZ J so I thought I'd post a few photos and my thoughts. Unfortunately with Gold recoginition upgrades, you cannot share them, even with someone on the same booking, so sadly TomVexille had to remain in Y in our paid-for exit row seats.

We visited the Star Alliance lounge for a few hours before the flight, and I was left less than impressed compared to my previous visit. With NZ flights now out of TBIT, the lounge is quite a bit busier, and we had to sit out on the balcony for a while. I went to procure a glass of bubbles, only to find no glasses, and empty bottles. And no one at the bar. A quick wander around the lounge discovered one bloke with his bare feet up on a table. At this point I went to arrange to have a shower, only to find a group of people waiting and no attendent. Upon arriving, the woman checked and found none of the cubicles had been cleaned, and sent us all away with buzzers. At this point I was more than a little grumpy, however this was remedied when TV sourced a glass of bubbles (Mumm Napa) and we managed to relocate to a couch inside the lounge (and out of sight of the bare feet).

 

[blackcat20]

Just before boarding time we headed down to the gate, to find we would be waiting just a little longer while they got themselves sorted. But soon they were ready to board, with J and Airpoints/Star Alliance Status customers welcomed first. Fortunately we were able to board together, going our separate ways once on the plane.

The mood lighting was in full force, giving all my pictures that lovely purple glow.

I quite like the arrangement of the seats, essentially in a 1-1-1-1, so that everyone has direct aisle access. You are also invisible to the people in front and behind you.





Sitting on the footrest is the amenity kit and menu. The amenity kit is essentially an ipad case, though the contents are minimal (lip balm, moisturiser, socks, eye mask, toothbrush/paste, and earplugs). No PJs on Air NZ but fortunately I was carrying my VA pair.



It wasnt long before an FA appeared to offer me a PDB, and I smartly chose the champange (Charles Heidsieck). There is a cute little fold-down tray beside the seat with its own light, and eeyore quite enjoyed the view. As were were slightly delayed leaving the gate, I enjoyed a second glass.



Then we were pushing back and on our way across the Pacific.

 

[blackcat20]

The FA came around again to take orders for a pre-dinner drink and I stuck with the Champagne. It was also served with bowl of warmed nuts.


The menu. The wine options aren't listed which is a little annoying.










Service is done differently to what I've experienced on VA. An FA comes around and takes your order for the main, then they bring the trolley down the aisle. They set up a tray with cutlery etc on the large "tray" table then ask which entree you would like. It is then placed on your tray. At this time I also selected a wine; there were only two reds on offer, a Cab Merlot and a Pinot. I opted for the latter.

 

[blackcat20]

For entree I selected the prosciutto with preserved figs. They also bring around a basket of bread; I selected the olive bread which came with a tiny bottle of olive oil.



For main I had the blackened king salmon which was beautifully cooked. It is definitely the best onboard meal I've had to date.


After main the tray is cleared away and I was offered dessert; I couldn't go past the tirimisu ice-cream.

 

[DC3]

An eeyore J amenity?

 

[blackcat20]

An eeyore J amenity?

Eeyore is my mini travel buddy.

 

[love_the_life]

A lovely purple glow is something of an understatement, BC. The pictures positively glow! Look a tad radioactive if I may say so.

 

[Pushka]

Blackcat must have a purple phone cover and using the flash.

 

[blackcat20]

Nope that it purely the mood lighting. No flash.

 

[serfty]

Gee ... as a veteran of over a dozen NZ business transpacific flights I can't ever recall the blue 'mood' lighting being on for so long (there are other tones as well).

 

[blackcat20]

Gee ... as a veteran of over a dozen NZ business transpacific flights I can't ever recall the blue 'mood' lighting being on for so long (there are other tones as well).

One thing that bugged me, the lights were never completely turned off, even over night. There was a mood light all night....it was just dimmed a little. I would have thought in a J cabin the idea is to sleep, and it would have been lights out.

 

[blackcat20]

After dessert came a cup of tea (good tea, not the stuff you get down in Y) and a handful of chocolates. Then it was time to test out the bed. As soon as I stood up, an FA was there offering to turn down my bed while I went to change into my byo PJs.

Its an unusual seat, folding over to become the bed, rather than the usual slide and recline that I'm used to. It also means the seat has two seatbelts; one with an airbag for seat mode, and a standard belt for bed mode. The bed is finished off with a comfy mattress, doona and pillow.



I quickly snuggled in, and I slept, waking briefly only to roll over and go back to sleep. An unusual experience for me, even in J on VA I've struggled to sleep well.
I slept so well that when I woke, I realised that most of the cabin was already awake and the FA's were preparing for breakfast. I popped up off the bed and again, the FA was there offering to turn my bed back into a seat.

Breakfast was done similarly to dinner. The order for mains was taken, and a tray of juice and smoothies brought around. I chose the smoothie and it was yum.

Then the trolley comes down the aisle and they set your table. I was then offered fresh fruit, yoghurt and granola, which is dished up fresh. I'm not a fan of melon as a filler but the rest of the fruit was good.


Once that was cleared away, my main was bought out. I chose the scrambled eggs, and it was the best eggs I've ever had on a plane. None of that rubbery stuff, they were soft and fluffy and oh so yummy. The bread basket was bought around again, and I chose the croissant (soft and warm compared with the dry lump that crumbled to nothing on VA).

 

[Princess Fiona]

Food looks quite good, thanks for posting

 

[AviationNZ]

I quickly snuggled in, and I slept, waking briefly only to roll over and go back to sleep. An unusual experience for me, even in J on VA I've struggled to sleep well. I slept so well that when I woke, I realised that most of the cabin was already awake and the FA's were preparing for breakfast.

I do love that feeling of waking up on a flight knowing that I actually got a solid 8 hours sleep, not just the semi-sleep/semi-awake snooze.

 

[serfty]

three years ago they added the thick underlay and for my thinking NZ had the best SWP / NA Business product out there ... that was before they went with severe cut backs ... at one stage over in 2013 the food in business transtasman was better than for transpacific.

 

[robd]

Looks pretty good. I had the same surprise on my recent CX J flight where I woke to find everyone else mid breakfast - real sleep on a plane - what a great feeling!

 

[serfty]

I got in the habit on Journies from the USA to OZ to request not to be woken for breakfast - I'd save that for the AKL-Oz segment.

 

[Rugby]

blackcat20 - can you recall what the Pinot Noir was?

 

[blackcat20]

blackcat20 - can you recall what the Pinot Noir was?

It was the Archangel Pinot Noir.

 

[Rugby]

It was the Archangel Pinot Noir.

Thanks, I haven't tried that one. Did you rate it?