Air New Zealand Business Class: A Sweet and Sour Experience
Flying to a new continent is always exciting, and this journey to my sixth continent was no exception! While the destination was thrilling, the Air New Zealand Business Class experience had its ups and downs. In this article, I’ll share an honest review of my recent flight from Auckland to Houston, expanding on the insights from my video “Air New Zealand 777: Luxury Travel with a Twist 🇳🇿”. If you haven’t seen it yet, head over to my YouTube channel or check it out below!
Checking In: A Bump in the Road
My journey started with a bit of a hiccup. At check-in, I was informed that my seat was malfunctioning. While the staff tried to find a solution, the flight was full. They assured me that customer service would contact me at the gate. Though not ideal, I wasn’t about to change my travel plans, so I agreed.
Have you ever encountered similar issues with Air New Zealand or other airlines? Share your experiences in the comments below!
Navigating Houston Airport: Priority Security
Thankfully, Houston Airport offers a priority security line for Business Class and Star Alliance Gold members, which made getting through security a breeze. This was a welcome relief, especially since the airport was quite busy.
Lounge Access: United Club vs. Polaris
One of my travel companions had booked a Premium Economy ticket. With my Star Alliance Gold status, I hoped to access a decent lounge. Unfortunately, Star Alliance Gold/unlocking-a-world-of-travel-perks-your-guide-to-star-alliance-gold-status only grants access to the United Club, which pales in comparison to the United Polaris Lounge. Air New Zealand Business Class passengers, however, can access the Polaris Lounge.
We ended up visiting another lounge accessible with Star Alliance Gold status. While not luxurious, it offered a comfortable space to relax before the flight.≤
The United Club in Terminal D at Houston International Airport is spacious, with various seating options, a bar, and a decent selection of food and snacks. However, I later discovered that this lounge isn’t accessible to United First passengers on domestic flights, which I found surprising.
Boarding and Pre-Flight: A Black Beauty and a Broken Promise
Boarding was quick and organized. To my relief, an Air New Zealand representative was at the gate with a letter acknowledging the seat issue and offering compensation. However, despite their assurances, I haven’t received any follow-up communication regarding this matter.
Stepping onto the plane, I was struck by its unique all-black exterior. This was a first for me, and it certainly made a statement!
Air New Zealand’s Business Class cabin on the Boeing 777 is known for its unusual layout. Seats face the aisle, regardless of your location in the cabin. This means limited privacy and no window access. While the seats themselves are comfortable, the lack of privacy and window views is a significant drawback, especially for a long-haul flight in 2024.
The Boeing 777 we flew on was configured with 44 Business Class seats, 54 Premium Economy seats, 244 Economy seats, and a few rows of Economy Skycouch – a unique option where you can transform three economy seats into a bed.
In-Flight Service and Amenities: Champagne, Dinner, and a Sleep Set
Once settled in, I was promptly offered a glass of champagne, which was quite good. The flight attendant also presented the menu, which featured two meals – a welcome sight for a 14-hour flight.
The seat, despite its unusual position, had all the necessary features for a long flight. The TV had a flexible arm for optimal viewing, and there were convenient controls for the seat adjustments and lighting.
Air New Zealand provided branded headphones with decent sound quality. The in-flight entertainment system offered a reasonable selection of movies, TV shows, and games.
However, the seat problems continued. As dinner service began, we discovered that the tray table wasn’t functioning. After some troubleshooting, the flight attendant revealed that the table was missing altogether! They offered us the option to have dinner together at my table, which we accepted.
It’s worth noting that, 50 days later, with some back and forth of emails we were partially refunded the difference in miles—our original form of payment—for the seat problems.
For dinner, I enjoyed a delicious spiced pumpkin and sweet potato soup, followed by slow-cooked beef short rib paired with an excellent New Zealand wine.
To end the meal, I ordered a relaxing tea. To my surprise, the flight attendant brought the complete Air New Zealand sleep set, including chamomile tea, sleep balm, and some treats.
Before getting some rest, I checked out the restroom. While it lacked any special amenities, the ambiance and artwork were quite pleasant.
The amenity kit was paper-based, reflecting New Zealand’s commitment to sustainability. It included socks, a manuka flower hand and body cream, a pen, a toothbrush, toothpaste, earplugs, and lip balm.
A Surprisingly Good Sleep and a Decent Breakfast
Despite the unconventional seat configuration, I managed to get a good night’s sleep.
Breakfast started with warm bread, followed by a fresh fruit bowl, and ended with a gourmet bagel. While the bagel wasn’t the best I’ve had, I suspect my previous indulgences might have influenced my judgment!
Final Thoughts: Room for Improvement
We finally landed in Auckland. Despite the seat issues, the flight wasn’t terrible. The service was good, and I slept surprisingly well. However, Air New Zealand needs to address the issues with their Business Class seats and improve their customer service follow-up.
If you’re considering flying Business Class on a long-haul flight, it might be worth exploring other options. For a truly luxurious experience, check out Singapore Airlines Business Class on their A380 (though this route was from Sydney to Singapore, it’s still a great example of a top-notch Business Class product). Alternatively, United Polaris on their 767 offers a competitive Business Class product with excellent service and amenities. Weigh your options and choose the airline that best suits your needs and preferences.
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