So here's the rub - my flight was booked through Chatdeal even though I bought it under the Kayak umbrella. All the return flights were theoretically through Air New Zealand, however except for the initial leg from New Zealand, they were all partnered flights. So when I arrived at the airport in New Zealand they could only issue me my ticket to Fiji. Once in Fiji I had to do some serious leg work and finagling to get my ticket to Los Angeles through Fiji Air. This included a monitored covid RAT that I wasn't aware I needed to do. So I gave the score I did because of the complexity and annoyance created in the process of getting a boarding pass for my Nadi-LA flight.
Pros: "On time. Like the 787."
Cons: "The vegetarian evening meal."
Pros: "Crew were helpful and pleasant and it was nice to get a drink of water, a cookie and the offer of a cup of tea or coffee"
Pros: "Great crew and counter staffing. Only took about 10 minutes to get my ticket and half of that was due to some snag with the NZ visa details."
Pros: "The crew was great. Really friendly, we got skycouch and it was really comfortable"
Cons: "Food was a bit too rich, maybe a lighter option in the menu would be useful as both were quite thick sauces."
Pros: "Business class lay-flat seats and a private cubby."
Cons: "Boarding required a bus ride to a distant terminal rather than direct boarding from the terminal."
Pros: "The food in Premium Economy was good and there are plenty of movies to choose from. The staff were lovely."
Cons: "I had paid for Premium Economy and was seated in Row 30. The passengers were boarded up to row 28, then from to back of the plane forward then I was boarded with the last remaining passengers. That was not what I feel should have happened. I did not like the footrest on the seats."
Pros: "Nice, short flight. Smooth ride."
Cons: "Had a middle seat between two very large women. Couldn't be helped, was a full flight."
Pros: "The crew was wonderful again. This time I had an aisle seat in the center section and it was much more comfortable. The food was vegetarian and quite good."
Cons: "No complaints!"
Pros: "Service and food choices. Seating and the mattress for bed."
Pros: "Staff were lovely and food good ."
Cons: "Very cramped in window seat, quite claustrophobic really. Not a comfortable 11hr flight."
Pros: "Air New Zealand is a great airline. They give you a lot of food and the seats seem to have a little more space between them so your knees don't hit the back of the chair!"
Pros: "Great flight with wonderful service."
Pros: "same as above"
Cons: "same as above. Along with attmpeting to get boarding passes in LAX staff could not do in IAD was unpleasant as lady kept asking for boarding passes then said she needs a print of the intineray"
Cons: "Was not informed a return flight listing required Was not informed $260 baggage fees"
Pros: "Cree"
Cons: "Cold flight Food average at best Overall nothing flash and nothing bad solid average"
Pros: "The regional flights are nice and quick with no frills or complications. Everyone is in one cabin and you can quickly board using kiosks at the gate."
Cons: "You might want to bring a book on this flight or something as their in-flight video and adverts are all you'll really see in terms of entertainment."
Pros: "good entertainment"
Cons: "we purchased a sky couch for an extra $700 and was not put in a skycouch row. I have contacted Air New Zealand and have yet to hear back from them."
Pros: "I was feeling motion sick and several flight attendants went out of their way to help me feel better. I wish I knew their names as I would specifically mention them, but I really appreciate everything they did for me during that time."
Cons: "Allow passengers to choose if they want a vegetarian meal."
Cons: "All the staff were in the lounge meaning paid users were turned away. Upgrade denied by staff working in lounge because all staff had been allocated the business class seats. Staff should be bumped for paying airpoints members."
Pros: "a) My vegetarian meal the I specially requested. b) The customer service on the phone, before my trip in California and the customer service of the flight attendants on the two flights of my trip. c) The blanket and pillow every passenger was offered on the long-haul flight from San Francisco to Auckland. d) The pilot or pilots handled the small amount turbulence we on the plane felt well so I did not feel uneasy at those times."
Cons: "For an economy class series of trips, I have nothing bad to report."
Pros: "Efficient"
Cons: "Check In Issues related to code share flight"
Pros: "Nothing!"
Cons: "Awful service, they put me waiting for more than an hour to say that I was in the overbook list so they would need to include me in a flight 3 hours later in another airline. Outrageous!"
Pros: "The boarding process was efficient and the seat was comfortable enough for coach class across the Pacific. It was a definite bonus not having someone in the middle seat. The food was quite good, and I appreciated the ability to get snacks throughout the flight. The crew was efficient, the IFE is very good, and the entire experience was very positive. I will continue to fly ANZ internationally as often as I can."
Cons: "Nothing."
Pros: "Flight was delayed due to A/C difficulties, But no big worry for me. I had no other flight to catch in Wellington."
Cons: "Captain's sense of humor."
Pros: "Crew"
Cons: "Unclear check in counter"
Pros: "Great airline. Like all of them these days more room would be nice as would better vegetarian options. Friendly staff, they seem to care about the passenger rather than just being bossy about usually silly rules."
Pros: "Everybody was so helpful and friendly. The seating was quite pleasant although my boyfriend and I are used to staying next to each other. The entertainment was extensive keeping anybody busy for a long flight and the menu was broad enough and good quality. This is the way all flights should be!"
Pros: "Excellent service, seats, big screen, etc ✅"
Cons: "Food was okay."
Pros: "Happy helpful crew"
Cons: "Slow to board and no gate on arrival. Had to be bused to terminal and waited ten minutes for the bus to arrive."
Pros: "Cool dimmers for window shade; flight attendant notice we did not have headphones and gave us some first class looking ones that really cancels out the noise. Although we had it in the pocket we did not choose to use at that time but she took it upon herself. Staff always friendly."
Cons: "Can't check in online with a VA per locator. You need an ANZ ONE. You have to call VA and forcefully ask for it. VA totally unhelpful. And when you get the ANZ number, they charge you to book a seat. Any seat."
Pros: "Some of the crew were excellent service wise"
Cons: "Some of the crew were less than what I would expect service wise"
Pros: "The flight attendants were very helpful. One of our travelers got sick on the plane and, unfortunately, made a mess in one of the toilets. Without batting an eye, the crew took on the thankless task of cleanup. We noticed that the bulkheads had fixtures embedded in them to allow a small basinet to be attached to the bulkhead. One couple used it for their infant and it seemed to be a lifesaver. I don't know of any other airline that offers this."
Cons: "Our seats were more narrow than normal. Almost to the point of discomfort. We did fly on Air New Zealand from Auckland to Christchurch and the seats on that flight were what I would consider a "normal" width. Meals were served in a timely way but the food was just okay - nothing outstanding. But, we did fly coach/economy."
Pros: "services was good"
Cons: "I Hate Hate Hate the setup of the business class cabin - you face each other, no privacy, you look at other people feet all flight, cant look out the window, horrible!!"
Pros: "Food Entertainment Charging port and powerpoint Service"
Cons: "Seats were ok but not great"
Pros: "Food, service, comfort was all very good."
Cons: "Nothing"
Pros: "the crew were awesome, the food okay, it's the first time I've been able to say exellent to flying with air new Zealand today, the past trips have been stinkers, there crew really bad, they put us off flying with my own country's airline so sad, the first leg was cancelled because the flight got in late, with no txt or any warning before we got to the gate, so maybe we will just try them again, because this last trip from Christchurch has eased some of the past pain"
Cons: "The baggage handlers destoyed my case, there the same the world over because of the furious pace, they don't care for your posesions weather there precious or not, this is the real sad point when ones flying a lot,"
Pros: "Friendly crew, always."
Cons: "Whatever was served for hot breakfast on my flight (I think it was supposed to be scrambled eggs and baked beans) was absolutely horrible. Everyone in my section of the plane took one bite and passed it back to the stewards."
Pros: "Maybe I'm use to subpar American airlines but I was pleasantly surprised by the good food, high functioning tvs, and pleasant staff."
Cons: "Nothing"
Pros: "Air New Zealand has some of the friendliest cabin crews around. Their food is above average and they have a delicious array of wines served free with meals. My flight was interrupted by a medical emergency. We had to backtrack to the nearest airport, which added several hours to the flight. This meant a very long day for both passengers and crew. The crew remained cheerful and helpful throughout, in spite of cranky passengers."
Pros: "I was able to watch the entire Game of Thrones Season Six on the flight to Vancouver, and catch up with The Walking Dead on the return flight."
Cons: "The menu was poorly planned with very little fresh raw salad . The beef choice had potato salad and potato in the hot meal."
Pros: "Great crew. Friendly and helpful."
Pros: "Crew was helpful and professional."
Cons: "Seats are unbelievably cramped. Not enough legroom or cargo room under the seats. It seems they put more seats in than the aircraft was meant to have. Made experience of 10 hour flight much more difficult."
Pros: "Service etc etc absolutely fine"
Cons: "Handling at Melbourne Tullamarine was poor. The plane landed on time but was sent to the wrong dock and that caused a lot of time wastage. This seems to happen in Australian airports more than anywhere else."
Pros: "I absolutely adored Air New Zealand. The airplane itself was a ball of fun with its purple lights. The flight crew was funny and charming, and quite attentive to people who wanted snacks and beverages. Great selection of movies."
Cons: "I hated that it costs $150 for an extra (2nd) checked in luggage. If you are flying international, typically you get 2 free checked in luggages. This caught me by surprise, and I wish it was brought to my attention before I went to the airport. The seats were okay, didn't recline as much as I would've liked. But overall I enjoyed my ANZ flight."
Pros: "Brand new plane, great leg room in coach. My next suggestion would be to buy "sky couch""