Our original flight was cancelled from SFO to AKL on 6/16/25. So we had to stay overnight at a hotel after a 12-hour layover plus 3-hour delay before the cancellation. Then had to fly to LA and then to AKL the following day losing an entire day of our vacation in NZ, that we can never get back.
Two hours was not enough time to transition from the international to domestic terminal. You have to go through customs, a biological hazard check, gather your luggage, take a bus to the domestic terminal and recheck your luggage. The bus was slow and crowded and the lines to recheck your bags were very long. We missed our connecting flight. Initially, the Air New Zealand officials were not helpful at all in helping to get us on another flight. Told us we would have to buy another ticket for a flight 11 hours later. Found another agent that was more helpful. He helped arrange to get us on standby for another flight three hours later. Had to ride in jump seats next to the flight attendants, but at least we eventually got to out destination.
Great! Flight was delayed by 30 mins but all was great. Thanks.
The 10hr flight was a comfortable as it could be in row 57. The food was just very bad….bland and soggy!
The business class upgrade meant a good sleep on the way home after a long week away. Excellent service, great food, and comfortable seat/bed for the journey.
I love the “boarding from the back” idea - it’s so much better than the “Zones” idea that many others use. Also, the inflight wifi was a first for me! Very nice to have on a 13-hour flight!
Again, Air New Zealand was great. They kept bathrooms clean, food was actually very good, New Zealand wines a big hit
Arriving at Coolangatta, rows 20 forward, took the airbridge across to the terminal. It was suggested to those from rows 21 back, that we take the rear stairs and to be careful crossing the tarmac. That was all well and good. However, when we got across to the terminal we then had to climb three large flights of stairs to meet up with those coming across the airbridge. No elevator! There were people carrying babies and elderly carrying hand luggage that needed assistance from others.. There was no option to turn back.
It was good for a short domestic flight. As no food ar entertainment provided, there should be a n/a rating available for those.
USB charging ports did not work on any of Air New Zealand flights
One of the oldest most uncomfortable "lay down" seats I've ever experienced. Old plane and old seats that don't lay flat. The seat back does not even recline - at all. Instead the legrest awkwardly extends to fill the gap between a small cubby into which you must insert your feet/legs. I am 5' 11" and could not lay straight but had to tuck my knees. Ticket was also very expensive. Would not recommend flying business/first on Finair from Melbourne to Bangkok and will not do so again myself.
The wifi was out. Otherwise it was great flight. Richard, as CSM, was excellent.
Inflight entertainment, poor that there are no headrest screens on aircraft used for an international flight.
Touch screens were very difficult to use, generally being laggy and unresponsive- it was quite an art to get it to play the thing you wanted rather than some thing at random. Selection of films and Tv was good when touchscreen decided to finally respond.
Their aircraft are old and amenities lack way behind other international carriers leaving from BNE. Even in economy
Friendly staff, surprisingly good premium economy seats allowing good sleep/ snooze opportunity and very good menu.
I liked the service, the menu, and the comfort of the seats! Even tho we were seated by the bathrooms, the reclining seats and movie selection was very good, my husband and I didn’t mind at all
Complaint is with American Airlines which delayed our flight from salt lake to Dallas reaulting in us missing our connection to Brisbane. Had to spend 24 hours in Dallas to wait for the next flight. Awful experience and ruined my wife’s birthday.
The old Plane had not been cleaned properly in a long time.
Boarding was over 3 hrs late and we didn’t land until almost 1:30am
United sent me a mileage plus number last year but that number is invalid so I can’t use it to check into flights or collect mileage. There is human to speak about the problem, only computers who keep asking me if I am using the correct email. It’s so frustrating and I cannot resolve it.
The woman gate agent in Phoenix was none too sympathetic about my check-in process as I am relatively new with using apps. I almost did not get on because she said I did not check-in. I thought I had via Kayak where I purchased a very expensive ticket. Lesson learned but to be told I may not get on as a matter of factly was difficult to hear.
Flight was on time. Boarding was smooth. Flight attendants were friendly and efficient. Entertainment system was broken for all passengers on the left side of the aisle. I would prefer if meals were not served on red eye flights. No one should need to dine at that time and it is disturbing for those passengers trying to sleep.
Gate agent did not hold flight for connection, provided no assistance to get new flight
I always appreciate when everything is on time! In this flight you have a short connection and it could be stressful , but is was easy and fast. They even ask people to wait so the ones that have a short connection could leave before. It was the fist time that something like this happened.
The plane pushed back from the gate on time. However, it stopped on the ramp, and we waited for over 20 minutes before the aircraft pulled back to the gate. Apparently, something of importance had to be removed from the aircraft by the gate agent. I found this to be odd. The delay was not significant, but I felt that whatever was on the aircraft that had to be taken off, should’ve been done before we pushed back from the gate.
Smooth boarding process. Early departure, smooth flight, early arrival. The entertainment package has very good recent movie options. The flight crew were friendly and professional.
My suitcase was destroyed. The top part where the handle is is completed broken. And unusable now.
Since when do I have to pay for my checked bag? I have a United Explorer mileage plus silver card and I was charged for my checked bags. This also is an international flight. So I would like an explanation to be clear before I choose an airline please?
Michael, our FA was very attentive, even finding me a chocolate brownie from economy class when the dessert selections were all dairy based. ( intolerant, not allergic so don’t usually need to order dairy free)
Very bad service the way back we was on the way for r two days very bad condition and waiting for luggage till now
Flight got canceled last minute and rescheduled 3 days later, as if we do not have jobs and children to return to. 5+ hours on hold with customer support with no answer. We booked a different airline and spent 3x as much to escape Montreal bc of Air Canada. Still haven’t heard from them. Boooo
Everything was good. Except Broken looking escape/exit doors over the wings need tending,
Pros: The airplane was new and had in-flight entertainment (tablet behind seats) with new movies instead of watching on personal devices. Cons: the flight time was changed without informing us. When I booked the flight, the time was 13:30pm (also in the email confirmation). However, when I reached the airport, the time was conveniently changed to 14:55pm. When I asked at the counter, they said the flight always took off at this time. The booking was made by Air Canada, but the flight was operated by United.
United had no (zero) record of our flight. It took over an hour of us standing in line with surly employee while others waited to get resolved. I have never experienced such poor service and poor empathy.
Took off on-time and staff was very nice. Got stuck on tarmac at ATL due to storms, but staff was still wonderful even though they were working and not getting paid.
In a nutshell, my bag, the one I have to pay for, because now you can’t even bring a carry on, did not make it. I am still waiting for an update. The fact that not only were have to pay for it, but on top of that we are stuck without getting it, it’s ridiculous..
The plane was filthy!!!! There were empty food wrappers in the pockets and worst of all a wad of hair where someone had obviously brushed their hair, cleaned out the brush and left the wad of hair in the pocket. It was the most disgusting thing I’ve ever seen!! The seats are so crammed together with NO leg room. The AC vent controllers do not adjust. I will likely not book another AC flight from Florida to Montreal.
This was an excellent experience for a very short flight.
Registered my luggage at 5pm. Arrived at JFK at 1:00 am. Worst trip ever. Never again
