Quick Comparison SYD-WLG QF vs NZ

[Leumas]

Background
Both legs were in Y, booked in the cheapest fare.
I'm a QF WP and a DJ Platinum.
QF ex-SYD
NZ ex-WLG (in the basic fare, with no meal, movies or checked bags)

QF has the F lounge in SYD, and NZ has the J lounge in WLG - advantage QF.
QF allocated row 4 automatically, and NZ only offered middle seats or back of the plane* - advantage QF
QF has a meal, movies and checked bags included, NZ only has water/tea/coffee and TV - advantage QF
QF has no gate-to-gate IFE, NZ do (but I doubt NZ will allow that if your screen is in the armrest - advantage NZ
NZ has personal greetings (I've no NZ status and the trip is credited to DJ), offered J headsets and newspaper, QF has none of those** - advantage NZ

* I was able to improve to an exit row aisle with a spare seat next to me while checking in at the kiosk
** I was offered that ONCE on QF out of many many trips.

Maybe I'm used to the TT QF/JetConnect service, but the NZ experience certainly was refreshing, and I'd consider flying them more too.

Lastly, I like the NZ flight map more.

 

[simongr]

I am bit confused. Based on the above - QF had a better lounge, better seating preallocation, food, movies and baggage included. NZ gave you a headset and a greeting. From an objective critique perspective I would look at the list and be directed to fly QF and NOT NZ.

Also on the latest fit out of the 737 QF does have gate to gate IFE.

 

[Austman]

I am bit confused.

Me too. I've done almost the same MEL-WGN-MEL with QF out and NZ back and agree with most of the OP's report. And I thought QF were a bit better.

And although neither is fantastic I'd also say the WGN QF lounge is slightly better than the WGN NZ lounge.

Also on the latest fit out of the 737 QF does have gate to gate IFE.

Maybe the OP means in row 4 where the screens are in the armrests?

 

[simongr]

Maybe the OP means in row 4 where the screens are in the armrests?

That would be the same on both carriers then. I don't know how many of the new QF fit out are in use at the moment. I actually think if I was sure of the new fit out I would grab an exit row further back for the gate to gate IFE and leg room.

 

[serfty]

To do a complete comparison, one would need to do both QF and NZ in the opposite directions.

 

[simongr]

I agree - comparing SYD F with WLG J lounges is a stretch for a start. It is a tough one though - as a DJ/VA WP what lounge would they be able to access in SYD Int'l?

To the OP what was the price difference?

 

[Leumas]

As I said, I found the NZ experience 'refreshing', and I wouldn't mind a bigger sample size to compare. I certainly gave a large positive impact to their personal greetings and the like than other aspects of the experience.

With the lounge, I can only compare what each airline's best offer. I'll go through the NZ SYD lounge soon and I can compare that against the QF WLG lounge. If NZ/DJ want to build a proper F lounge, I'm happy to compare that too.

From what I can see, the new QF 738 exit rows don't have particularly noticeable extra legroom. The NZ Airbus didn't have extra room there either. Also, when I travel this route, I rarely have checked bags and I can eat at the lounge, so while QF have that inclusive, I value the extra attention NZ gave me about the same as a front row on QF (so I get out quickly) and certainly more that the checked bags and food.

In terms of price, I think NZ was about $20 cheaper. The meal included price was about the same as QF. I'm not 100% on that though. The last time I paid for a meal on NZ, they gave me a frozen dinner, certainly not worth the extra money.

 

[richie9x]

An interesting comparision.

If it is a Jetconnect service then there should be gate to gate IFE for all economy rows except row 4. On a recent flight they even let row 4 use the IFE when still at the gate, although the screens had to be folded away when the plane started taxiing. Also at least on some (maybe all?) of the Jetconnect planes, business has screen in the arm rest. So J doesn't get gate to gate IFE either. While in the new Qantas domestic 737s the screen is in the back of the seat infront for pax in rows 2&3.

What sort of plane did AirNZ fly? A320?

From what i recall the Koru club at WLG is comparable to the Qantas lounge, ok but nothing flash. It is to be expected with no longhaul flights to/from Wellington.

Also what was the price comparison?

I had a very bad experience with an AirNZ gate agent where they blatantly lied to me a few years ago and I vowed never to fly with them again unless I had no other choice. I might have to give them another go.

 

[serfty]

I read this thread with interest as I have flown TT on NZ 320's well over a dozen time this year, about twice as much as on QF.

FWIW, I do miss the QF FL when ex MEL on NZ.:-|

(Oh, and going by my flight ex AKL a few weeks ago, the afternoon catering in the QF Emerald lounge there is better than that for the AKL NZ International lounge.)

 

[awilcockson]

I know it's not oz-nz but I had gate to gate IFE on QF BNE-MEL on a 738 and MEL-PER on an A332 today, and it was fantastic.

 

[sail0r]

From what I can see, the new QF 738 exit rows don't have particularly noticeable extra legroom..

or recline