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.
Full flight. Flight attendants were harried. Otherwise, fine for the typical cramped seating conditions in coach.
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
The issue was with getting our boarding pases. There were issues with our arrangements that were made through Kayak. I am sorry to say that we will not use you again because of this. The flight itself was good and the flight attendants excellent.
It was good for a short domestic flight. As no food ar entertainment provided, there should be a n/a rating available for those.
Economy was much nicer on the Air New Zealand planes.
As before, my only problem was not being able to download my boarding passes prior to arrival at the airport. Everything else was perfect.
Better. I took an aisle seat this time. Although the overheard compartment above the seat ahead of me kept opening up during flight.
If I had blood clots, that window seat would've killed me for certain.
They ran out of food and were offering random food to passengers.
Short staffs, I ask stewardess to bring me cognac twice during dinner but they didn't bring it!
The food and service was great. You have to pay a lot for in flight Internet though which is lame.
Flight was delayed at the last minute for six hours. Instead of delaying it to a normal hour, they moved it to 10 pm to essentially make it a redeye. There was no compensation or benefit offered for this inconvenience. Once on the plane, Inpaid for WiFi twice with both times it not working because of a “weak WiFi signal”, according to the flight attendants. They also chose the farther possible gates in both airports from the entrance/exit, even though they were one of the few active flights left so late in the evening. Overall it was pretty horrible.
I had high expectations but met with a below average experience. I hope the Airline will take a notice and improve.
Special request meals are really below average. Vegetarian options are very limited if you didn't prebook.
I've stomach problems after 2 hours of flight, Iris, the flight purser not only did her best to make me feel comfortable, she went above and beyond providing pain relievers medicines and ointment. She look and found a doctor passenger on the flight to provide advise. She even report on ground staffs about my condition and provide wheelchair upon arrival. Kudos to her and Cathay Pacific!
