MileValue is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Note: Some of the offers mentioned below may have changed or are no longer be available. You can view current offers here.
Pre-departure services and the Global First Lounge
United Global First Los Angeles to Sydney
—————————————————————-
I’ve included a brief report on Air New Zealand business class because the plane I flew operates some key routes you might want to fly like Honolulu to Auckland and Shanghai to Auckland. Because getting to New Zealand in business class with United miles is tough, you might find yourself on one of those flights.
After taking off on New Year’s Eve, I landed well rested in Sydney on January 2nd. Because I was just a transiting passenger, I didn’t have to clear Australian immigration (or have a chance to use Global Entry to skip the queue.)
I did have to reclear security to get to the gates for my next flight to Auckland. After clearing security, I took the elevator to the Air New Zealand lounge to see what was available, but the agent said my boarding pass was not valid for entry or flying, and I had to return to the Transfer Desk just past security that I had seen and ignored my first time passing it.
Since I was flying Air New Zealand business class from Sydney to Auckland, I had access to the Air New Zealand lounge and returned to it.
The Air New Zealand Lounge in Sydney is far better than domestic airline lounges in the US (like the Admirals Club and United Club), but not as nice as most airlines’ First Class lounges.
There was an ample drink selection and three hot dishes–scrambled eggs, sausages, and beans–which were yummy.
After thirty minutes in the lounge, I headed to my flight to New Zealand.
Air New Zealand 102
Sydney (SYD) – Auckland (AKL)
Depart: 9:40 AM on Wednesday, January 2
Arrive: 2:40 PM on Wednesday, January 2
Duration: 3:00
Aircraft: Boeing 767-300
Seat: 3A (Business Class)
Air New Zealand operates the SYD-AKL route with several aircraft including 767s, 777s, and A320s. I was on a 767-300, which has 24 business class seats in a 2-2-2 configuration. I chose a window seat.
The seats can recline into an “angled lie flat” position, and leg and foot rests can be controlled with seat side buttons.
In a sitting position, the seat is extremely comfortable. The seating area features ample leg room, about an extra foot compared to domestic first class. Even at 6’4″, I had a ton of space between my knees and the seat in front.
In a reclining position, the seat was comfortable for relaxing and watching a movie on the pop out TV. I didn’t attempt to sleep, since I had just slept quite a bit coming from Los Angeles. I don’t think the seat would be that great for sleeping because it is at a substantial angle to the ground. As you can imagine, a lie flat bed would be more comfortable for sleeping. But for a three hour flight, this is a very nice seat–certainly much nicer than domestic first class seats in the US.
Food, however, was another matter. The salmon appetizer was OK, and I always enjoy a bread basket. I selected garlic bread.
But this beef stew with ham salad was the worst food I’ve had on a plane. Two bites in I was finished. I assign myself quite a bit of blame–beef stew was a strange selection.
Service on the flight was friendly. A pre-departure drink was offered, my meal order was taken quickly, and the food was cleared promptly. I didn’t have any other requests, since I passed the short flight with one movie.
Overall Air New Zealand business class on a 767-300 is a comfortable product for relaxing. I would not want to book it to sleep if I had a flat bed option.
Just getting started in the world of points and miles? The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the best card for you to start with.
With a bonus of 60,000 points after $4,000 spend in the first 3 months, 5x points on travel booked through the Chase Travel℠ and 3x points on restaurants, streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), this card truly cannot be beat for getting started!
Editorial Disclaimer: The editorial content is not provided or commissioned by the credit card issuers. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of the credit card issuers, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuers.
The comments section below is not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all questions are answered.
How did you end up finding the business class space? I’m on the same flight next February and cannot find any business class space at any point near my departure. Expert flyer alerts are set, but I’m not hopeful.
I flew an award B class from Auckland to Brisbane a few months ago and we had a similar flight – angled seats, mediocre food – nothing special at all about the flight. We did go to the lounge in Brisbane because the Singapore Air lounge (our next flight) wasn’t opened. They had delicious French macaron cookies. I must have eaten a dozen 🙂
This is pretty awesome. I have been a budget traveler during my whole life and I’ve had a first class flight only once. I am not complaining though …I’ve never cared about first class or luxury hotels, anyways. I’ve traveled a lot. That is what matters to me.
On my way from Denmark to Sidney I booked a first class ticket. Spies had some good deals on flight tickets (or like they say flybilletter) and I took advantage of it. It is awesome, I must say.
Great article, thanks for sharing so many details. I’m going to have exactly the same flight this August and I’ll definitely skip that beef stew on my flight! 🙂
[…] Air New Zealand Sydney Lounge and Air New Zealand Business Class […]
[…] flat beds in Business Class in a 1-1-1 configuration. The 767, which previously flew the route, and which I reviewed in Business Class, featured recliners in a 2-2-2 […]