Flying Air New Zealand

Hi all,

Pondering a trip with Air New Zealand (LHR-LAX) since I can use Diamond Club miles n' cash to fly there in business class. A few questions:

1. What's the front-of-plane like on this route, anyone know?

2. Which terminal do they fly from in LHR? What lounges are available, bearing in mind I'm Star Alliance Gold and so theoretically I have the "pick" of all applicable lounges for me and the other half?

Cheers,

Darryl

I cant personally answer Q1 however, HighFlyer flew in J on ANZ a while back so im sure she can advise

otherwise if you do a search for NZ Business in the TR's for other airlines a few hits come up

For Q2 ANZ Fly T3 (as with all *A airlines that fly long haul from LHR) and theoretically you can pick your lounge (however some carriers arent keen on this!!)

Hi Jonathan,

Thanks for the info Oh, if T3 then that should mean I could get into the SQ Kris Flyer Lounge which isn't too shabby! Do New Zealand have a dedicated lounge of their own in T3? Just a shame we can't get into the Clubhouse!

I did a few sectors on Air NZ recently. Apart from an unpleasant incident with one Air NZ employee over my passport being "worn", everything else was really great, from the 747-400 down to the little Beech 1900 turboprop.

The Business Premier seating on the 747-400s which work NZ1/2 are almost identical to Virgin's Upper Class suite.

Food and wine are of a very high standard. Probably has the edge on Virgin.

The departure time is sensible too.

At T3, I'd say your best bet if you're Star Gold is to use SAS/AC London Lounge, as ANZ normally use the UA Red Carpet Club which is pretty vile and quite shabby - but a few years in bankruptcy will do that to you.

Cheers,
Mike

I have heard that ANZ service can be a bit stuffy. However, this was before the changes, so I don't know how it is now[:?]
I'd go for the SQ lounge[y]

Cheers,
VS045

Originally posted by VS045
I have heard that ANZ service can be a bit stuffy.

Was okay on the flights I was on, and I wouldn't say particularly stuffy.

Certainly not as informal as VS, and it certainly seemed to depend on the age (and to some extent personality) of the cabin crew.

Older crew were slightly more "old school" (think BA) formal, whereas younger crew were much more chatty and friendly.

I think the formality was bred by their old uniforms - all gold plated buttons, braid, embroidery and lanyards! The new uniforms are supposed to be less formal, and less fussy - but has been accused of being dull and plain. (I actually like the current Julien McDonald BA uniform, it's just so classy and British. The new United uniform - with the blue shirts/blouses - is really practical, simple, and looks comfortable too.)

It seems to me that Air NZ are trying to aim for some sort of middle ground between "stuffy" and "Virgin". Hope they don't just end up "dull" like their uniforms.

ISTR that LHR-LAX is mostly (if not entirely) crewed by attendants from Air New Zealand's London base, and from what I've seen, they are on the younger end of the spectrum of Air New Zealand crews.

Cheers,
Mike