Home > Air New Zealand > 2004 > Review

Taken April 2004 from Los Angeles, CA (Los Angeles International Airport) - LAX to Avarua (Rarotonga International Airport) - RAR

I had flown this flight, when they used 747 aircraft. They have modified the seats. All seat padding has been removed from seat backs. Anyone over six feet tall would be miserable.

I ask to upgrade before boarding. I was told the plane had no first class seating. I was not informed it had business class seats. After boarding I again ask for a for upgrade to larger seat. I was told by ground personnel " I could de-board the aircraft, they had met their contract obligation"

I lost my hotel booking fees, plus the expense of my flight into LAX.

I researched my trip on the Internet. Air New Zealand had a write-up on their redesigned new seat. This was the deciding factor on my trip selection. The seat is like a plastic chair from Wal-Mart with a thin cushions. The headrest tilts toward the floor. The headrest hit me between the shoulder blades. I told my wife I could not fly 12 hours in this position. My back could not touch the seat-back.

I know the airlines has to make a profit. I would be willing to pay 50 percent more on long flights for enough room to move to the right or left. The airlines will continue to go out of business if they are not setup to do business.

The solution is not more people on the same plane. Who wants to fly on vacation, when you cannot be comfortable.