What's your favourite route to Europe?

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#1846233 14-Aug-2017 11:00

Bung:
sbiddle: it's a far more enjoyable experience travelling west. There is plenty of evidence to back this up - the only times in my life I've ever been jet lagged have been on the multiple occasons I've flown to Europe via Asia, and for that reason I'd not something I'd do again by choice.

Your argument starts ok it agrees with a Lancet article "In general, adjustment to the new time zone is easier for east–west travel than for west–east. A westward adjustment takes, in days, approximately half the number of time zones crossed; for eastward travel, adjusting to the new time zone takes, in days, approximately two-thirds the number of time zones crossed." but NZ to US travel is East not West.

Oops getting my directions mixed up. Don't let me drive on the road.

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#1846236 14-Aug-2017 11:01

Rikkitic:

sbiddle:

LAX has facilities including lounges that are as good as anything you'd find in Asia. Service and officials are terrible. Both SFO and YVR are incresingly becoming popular places for transit because they're less busy.

The last time I went through LAX (a long time ago, fortunately) all transit passengers were herded by snarling officials into an airless, windowless, unserviced, overcrowded room where they were forced to wait and breathe each other's stink for six hours. After that I swore I would never pass through the USA again, and I haven't. I'll take jet lag any time over that, though jet lag has never been an issue for me.

This hasn't been the case on Air NZ now for about 3 years now since they moved from T2 to TBIT.

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#1846265 14-Aug-2017 11:27

sbiddle:

Rikkitic:

sbiddle:

LAX has facilities including lounges that are as good as anything you'd find in Asia. Service and officials are terrible. Both SFO and YVR are incresingly becoming popular places for transit because they're less busy.

The last time I went through LAX (a long time ago, fortunately) all transit passengers were herded by snarling officials into an airless, windowless, unserviced, overcrowded room where they were forced to wait and breathe each other's stink for six hours. After that I swore I would never pass through the USA again, and I haven't. I'll take jet lag any time over that, though jet lag has never been an issue for me.

This hasn't been the case on Air NZ now for about 3 years now since they moved from T2 to TBIT.

I know you are quite loyal to Air New Zealand and I would agree that they would be the best airline through the US (certainly when I last used them on that route in 1999). But have you tried Emirates? Their hard and soft product (in both economy and business) is far ahead of Air New Zealand.

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#1846277 14-Aug-2017 11:48

I flew Qantas to LHR via SYD and DXB on the Airbus A380 a few month's back and fantastic airline got upper deck economy on the A30 back from LHR and it was great

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#1846282 14-Aug-2017 12:08

DaveB:

sbiddle:

Rikkitic:

sbiddle:

LAX has facilities including lounges that are as good as anything you'd find in Asia. Service and officials are terrible. Both SFO and YVR are incresingly becoming popular places for transit because they're less busy.

The last time I went through LAX (a long time ago, fortunately) all transit passengers were herded by snarling officials into an airless, windowless, unserviced, overcrowded room where they were forced to wait and breathe each other's stink for six hours. After that I swore I would never pass through the USA again, and I haven't. I'll take jet lag any time over that, though jet lag has never been an issue for me.

This hasn't been the case on Air NZ now for about 3 years now since they moved from T2 to TBIT.

I know you are quite loyal to Air New Zealand and I would agree that they would be the best airline through the US (certainly when I last used them on that route in 1999). But have you tried Emirates? Their hard and soft product (in both economy and business) is far ahead of Air New Zealand.

It's been a long time since I flew Emirates. With no Premium Economy offering there is no compelling reason to fly them - when I can book economy on Air NZ and get an upgrade to PE for $220 (even guaranteed based on A class availability) it's a very compelling case to fly with them.

I wouldn't necessarily agree that Emirates BP is better than NZ. There are certainly aspects of both their soft and hard product that are far better (including their champagne offering) but when you look at some of their aircraft with tired cabins and new 2-3-2 business class it's not a compelling reason. It's very difficult to beat the NZ herringbone seat for sleeping in.

kryptonjohn

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#1846285 14-Aug-2017 12:26

Damn, I've never got a long-haul PE upgrade that cheap!

I was told AirNZ are ditching their herringbone PE and going back to a more conventional layout. They tried to tell me it was due to customer feedback but I am having trouble believing that.

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#1846316 14-Aug-2017 13:23

This was about 8 years ago but when living in Chch my preference was Singapore as it allowed me to fly directly there and then continue to the UK, adding the extra hop via Auckland adds quite a bit of time. I always flew cattle class back then and never used the lounge so the showers at Singapore Airport were a luxury that I happily paid for. The only worry was I normally had a 40 minute stop over on the way back, stressful when flying out of LHR.

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#1846326 14-Aug-2017 13:30

Dubai/Emirates because their A380's offer cheap and good WiFi. I am afraid of flying and the WiFi kept me distracted when turbulence hits. Just don't head out of Dubai airport, as all airport staff is pretty much rude and Dubai is a complete and massive rip off when it comes to shopping.

Do whatever you want to do man.

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#1846327 14-Aug-2017 13:31

kryptonjohn:

Damn, I've never got a long-haul PE upgrade that cheap!

I was told AirNZ are ditching their herringbone PE and going back to a more conventional layout. They tried to tell me it was due to customer feedback but I am having trouble believing that.

$220 is the standard Elite Airpoints Dollar upgrade price on a long-haul upgrade to go from Economy to Premium Economy.

Air NZ started replacing the Spaceseat in February on their 77W fleet. It was definitely due to customer feedback as many people truly hate the seat - it's a very polarising product because literally 50% of people (including myself) think it's the best seat in the world whereas the other 50% truly hate it. There is no middle ground.

On the other hand the accountants also had a say and love the move as there are now another 10 seats in PE.

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#1846329 14-Aug-2017 13:33

I fly to France every couple of years or so and always us Korean Air. You can set up your flights with > 12h layover and they'll shout you a night in a flash Hotel.

You land (semi) rested having had a proper night sleep and a flash couple of meals!

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#1846346 14-Aug-2017 13:43

Korean air I flew LHR to Seoul for a few night's then home to AKL got to love the airline staff when passengers get up and the seat belt sign is on ..... passengers soon know to sit back down very quick

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#1846371 14-Aug-2017 13:46

I've flown emarites 380 a couple of times via Dubai as I like the plane.

But now there are some other options as a an agnostic/atheist who lives in sin with a woman on the oc I rather give it a miss. Yes they say they won't invoke those rules but I'd rather just avoid the issue.

Might try ANZ via lax after years of avoiding the place if work is paying for the air points. Otherwise might try via Singapore.

sleepy

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#1846391 14-Aug-2017 14:02

Akl to LAX and straight onto LHR on airnz the times seem to work even from Dunedin and a quick shower in the lounge at LA

last trip via china and changed airlines was horrible had to get luggage and recheck in hopefully never again

LookingUp

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#1846418 14-Aug-2017 14:38

Just got back from a cycling holiday in France. Flew Emirates Chch/Sydney/Dubai/Lyon for a couple of reasons:

* Only one plane change at Dubai = less likelihood of loss or damage of bikes

* 30kg checked baggage limit means bike bags and the rest of our kit travels under the allowed limit, so no excess charges

+ They generally have good planes and good service

The only negative was a bit of a wait in Dubai for our connection to Lyon on the way over, but the return trip had a much shorter wait, and was great.

Things are LookingUp.... A photo from my back yard :-)

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#1846431 14-Aug-2017 14:53

I am a big fan of Emirates. Usually fly the direct route from Auckland to Dubai (With no stop over in Australia).

Would chose the A380 over a 777 any day of the week, with the possible exception of the Emirates lay flat in business class on their 777. But its usually cattle class for us.

When we fly between Norway and New Zealand the connection in Dubai is 10 hours, but we use the transit hotel, so never have to leave the airport and it makes getting on the plane after a nice sleep so easy.

Have also flown via Hong Kong, Singapore and LA, and my list of preferred routes would be:

1) Dubai with Emirates

2) Singapore with Singapore Airlines/Air NZ

3) Hong Kong with Air NZ

4) Anyone but..

9999) Lax with Air NZ

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