Would have been nice to have decaf coffee as an option, and perhaps a scone
New Zealand crew were attentive. We were not informed that we needed transit document to pass through New Zealand. A checkin employee helped with this for which we were thankful.
Overall good. We had to transfer to Bradly terminal. We had requested wheelchair assistance. The bus that picked us up had to wait for other passengers. The wait was long. Then, at the Bradly terminal we had to wait an extended period of time for the wheel chair assistance. These delays caused tension at checked in and resulted in arriving at the gate as passengers were boarding.
The boarding process was less than ideal. While I liked being greeted with “Kia Ora”, the rest of the process was very average for business-class travel — queue, crowding, no clear separation between economy and business premier. The aircraft felt old, even though I believe it was only 6 years’ old. Travelling in Business Premier in Air New Zealand is like sitting in a glass bowl. One can see everyone, and everyone can see others. Very bad structuring of seats. If you have a choice, fly another airlines like Singapore Airlines for business — I had the option, but chose this flight due to it’s departure time. Regrettable decision. I had opted for Vegan food choice. Very poor food as well as service. It is as if the chefs preparing the meal have little idea what nutritious, healthy and filling plant-based food is. And the crew were totally uncoordinated. In the main dinner meal, the first thing I was served was a fruit bowl, and then followed by other items. No mention was made that the fruit bowl (served first) was the dessert! And then after my meal tray was cleared another steward (not the one who served the main meal) comes around asks me that now that I had had the would like the dessert. I said yes, please. He went off and comes back to tell me discreetly that I’ve already had my dessert! He also didn’t know what the dessert was — and I guess it was the fruit platter that was the first item I was served. I was traveling with partner, who had similar experience. For her, they just cleared her table without offering dessert. Extremely poor coordination. The area behind the seats was extremely dirty. I just happened to use the overhead light to try and locate something that had fallen, only to be horrified at the dust, crumbs and all kinds of other particles. The only good thing about the flight was that when it ended, our bags came very very quickly. But that I guess is more to do with airport operations for Air New Zealands at Auckland Airport rather than the flight itself. I would think very hard next time I have to fly Business Premier in New Zealand, especially on Boeing 787-9NZM, which this plane was. Basically if you are selecting seats and find that they are at a diagonal angle, do not book this if you are looking for luxurious travel. Better off with premium economy or a good economy seat. The quality of food and service indeed was way below par.
Gate agent was fantastic in Auckland. They wanted to charge me for my two bags even though I was gold member with United in Tonga. So I had to pay for an upgrade. The meals on both flights had no vegetarian option. The only one item the salad was not tasty at all. Good thing I had brought my own snacks. The bread was white roll which is so not healthy. I think New Zealand air can definitely improve their food offering.
The entire process was excellent! The economy sits are a bit snug so I'll have to be sure to purchase premier or business class next time but, other than that, food, service, attendants were exceptional. Gate agents and ticket agents too!
Can you please process refund. Mum died and dad went to Pakistan to bury her after cancelling flight.
Short flight so no entertainment, turbulence so no food service - overall flight as expected
Great meal. Best seats ever! They need to teach other airlines how to do that.
Overall excellent but the Captain kept the seat belt sign on for far too long, especially at the beginning and end of the flight. It was 2 hours after take-off before the crew were able to start the service (on an 11 hour night flight, reducing our sleeping time) and the seat belt sign on went on during breakfast (90 mins before landing) and was not turned off again until we landed. This made for an uncomfortable journey of trying to limit fluid intake because it was unclear when the toilets would be available for use.
We were delayed 3x and because I didn’t purchase my tickets directly from United Airlines I was told I Have to take care of it myself so I called Underpricer and they helped me but before I changed my flights I took the risk of sticking by what my tickets were and was lucky to have gotten on the original all flight with only 15 mins before take off. not sure if I will do this again
horrible website for checking in- no option just to write the passport number; ludicrous
The planes are so dirty! Food crumbs and finger print smudges, Dust over the vents and carpet stains. It’s disgusting.
Everything good until we waited for jet bridge at SFO. Then pilot gets on speaker & said it won’t reach plane- too short, need to go to different gate. Then 5 min later, adjusted plane/jetbridge & all ok?!?
Nothing, whole flight was a nightmare, was forced to check my carryon bag at the gate, staff was rude and unprofessional
David went above and beyond to make our flight the best that it could be
Was a pain having to leave the plane and reboard but glad the plane was fixed
How badly can you screw up baggage claim? We were told to go to baggage claim too for our bags from this flight. Another flights bags were there. They finished up. More bags from a different flight arrived. Our bags did not Finally the baggage claim belt stopped working and and are flight was still listed on the arrivals for that baggage claim 2. And then nothing It turns out that they had been delivered not only the United baggage claim but far away on a Delta baggage claim No I never told us. It was only the people looking around who had been on the flight But I’m sure there was plenty of time for the employees to raffle through the bags and steal whatever they wanted
The bag drop personal were not helpful. There was no food on the flight. Boeing aircraft, lousy as always. Everything else was fine.
We had to wait almost an hour for the wheelchair porter to be ready to pick up my mother. And when she arrived in Newark airport the porter was not there and she started walking with her cane and her poor mobility. When the Newark porter found her they didn't want to transfer her bags to the wheelchair for her.
Flight attendant walked away once they landed and we were forced to wait another hour after an already 3hr delay.
No overhead space so all carryons were checked. No internet.
The flight was on time and everything went very smoothly.
A thousand choices for movies and nothing to watch. I avoid 'R' rated shows and others with violence and sexual content, which results in a handful of flicks to view and I have them already.
I think I paid for an extra legroom seat and to be honest, there was not a lot of space available for my not very long legs. The flight was totally full and the staff did everything possible to meet the needs of all passengers. My only concern was for the size and spacing of my seat.
Typically, I am always impressed with American personnel. These you run into the rude old hags that are still around. I can tell over my 40 years of flying with them, they have made strides in improving their attitudes.
Two issues. The plane was old and dirty. The armrest looked like an old car that had the vinyl rubbed off. The Seats in these aircraft are about as hard and uncomfortable. I want to tour Italy for a month and I want to buy a one-way ticket to Thailand but I will not sit in the seats these planes have. It is seriously stupid how hard they are.
The seat could not recline. This was not indicated as such when I paid for the seat. So itvwad not the most comfortable ride. At boarding, the staff could have more pleasant even though it may be an intense time.
The seat could not recline. This was not indicated as such when I paid for the seat. So itvwad not the most comfortable ride.
The meals were mediocre and the alcohol selection was poor.
