Historically, Air New Zealand has been one of the stingiest airlines in the world when it comes to releasing business class award space. There were often times where there wasn’t a single business class award seat for the entire schedule across the Pacific. There’s a positive update regarding that, as flagged by Frequent Miler.
In this post:
Air New Zealand releasing award seats close to departure
Air New Zealand now seems to consistently be releasing a significant amount of business class award space on transpacific flights within four weeks of departure. For example, today is August 10 in New Zealand, and currently I see award availability through September 7… and then it suddenly dries up.
I imagine that this pattern will continue going forward. For what it’s worth, I’m seeing this availability to most of Air New Zealand’s gateways in the United States, including Chicago (ORD), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), and San Francisco (SFO), though I’m not seeing the availability to New York (JFK).
For flights where there is availability, it’s generally wide open, with multiple seats.
I suspect that this is a new pattern we’ll see from Air New Zealand, and that this isn’t some one-time opportunity. After all, Air New Zealand isn’t cornering the long haul market to New Zealand as in the past, as American, Delta, and United, now all at least offer seasonal service to the country.
Now, it’s possible that availability dries up over peak season (around December through March), since that’s by far the period of highest demand. Only time will tell.
The best programs for booking Air New Zealand awards
Air New Zealand belongs to the Star Alliance, so what are the best programs for booking these awards (there are no fuel surcharges for any of these options)?
- The single best way to book Air New Zealand business class awards is through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club; you’ll pay just 62,500 points one-way, and Virgin is transfer partners with Amex, Capital One, Chase, and Citi
- With Air Canada Aeroplan you’ll pay 75,000 points one-way if flying a distance of 5,001-7,500 miles, or 87,500 points one-way if flying a distance of 7,501-11,000 miles; Air Canada is transfer partners with Amex, Capital One, and Chase
- With Avianca LifeMiles you’ll pay 80,000 miles one-way; LifeMiles is transfer partners with Amex, Capital One, and Citi
- You can also redeem United MileagePlus miles for 110,000 miles one-way, which I wouldn’t consider to be a great value compared to the alternatives; United is transfer partners with Chase
Air New Zealand business class isn’t great
While New Zealand is an absolutely gorgeous country, definitely manage your expectations when it comes to Air New Zealand business class. I recently reviewed Air New Zealand’s Boeing 787 business class from Auckland to Los Angeles, and found the experience to be subpar, especially the seats.
Fortunately Air New Zealand will soon be introducing a new business class in 2024, though any bookings now obviously wouldn’t be in that product.
Bottom line
If you’re headed to New Zealand, Air New Zealand now seems to be making business class award seats available in the weeks leading up to departure. This can be an incredible value with points, especially if you book through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, which charges just 62,500 points one-way. Just manage your expectations when it comes to the onboard product.
Anyone snapping up some Air New Zealand business class awards?
FYI Booking via ANA is 120K RT and $82
Finally might have use for my stranded ANA points since Covid
If you are an AirNZ Airpoints member then every J class seat is available for you. Redeem your airpoints dollars for a seat right up till the day before departure (if there are any left). When business class often full, why would airnz release redemption seats to people who support other airlines (or credit cards) rather than sell for $$ in the bank.
I can't see the NZ J availability via the VS website even though they show on United and AC. Would I need to call in VS to book the NZ J seats?
Yes, that is correct
I’ve flown the air nz business class a few times. It’s not terrible. At least it’s lie flat.
Why would anyone choose to fly this 'dentist's waiting room' style of business class? Vile.
Booked TPE-ICN-AKL in September on Asiana and Air New Zealand two days ago.
But there were only rarely dates for ICN-AKL available.
56k Miles and More Miles + 73€ in C. Actually they miscalculated the taxes and fees. I filed a claim. It should be 56€.
I have absolutely no interest in flying this excuse for Business Class. Should have been ripped out and re thought many years ago. In fact I have no desire to fly Air New Zealand at all.
I’ve seen this space quite a bit in the last month and booked one via akl to lax from syd in aug. More for novelty.
I never saw the akl to ord flight available. And if it is it’s not bookable with Virgin. It’s specifically excluded.
How did you book this ?
You could not pay me to sit in this configuration
Really? If someone paid you to fly to New Zealand and sit in these seats, you'd refuse to do it?
What masochist even dreamt up those awful seats? And which AirNZ exec (probably long departed) gave them the tick of approval?
For me it remains a big NO, no matter how available they are!
Come 2024 when AirNZ regains its sanity with new mainstream J seats it will be a different story.
It’s more than fine.
I've done it, and it's not the worst - I'd prefer this to the Emirates 777 with a middle seat.
Back in the day (about 15 years ago) it was all the rage - Virgin Atlantic Upper Class used to be something very similar.
It was Richard Branson
"Air New Zealand isn’t cornering the long haul market to New Zealand as in the past, as American, Delta, and United, now all at least offer seasonal service to the country."
There's one other significant development here. Qantas is now offering a direct service from Auckland to New York (on rather better J seats than AirNZ)
If they release space ex-sin I’m in
Great use of points I guess for those who dont really care about the actual business class seat, whilst the crew, food and wines are all very nice the seat is a bomb
This has been the case for many years. No idea why people think AirNZ space is never released, I've booked it for peak December dates every year for the last 4 around 4 weeks out. Booked with AC and VS miles every time.
Yeah I just flew them to Sydney in Business and you really just look at a lot of feet the whole time. Also, you have this feeling that the person behind you is looking directly over your shoulder... it's very odd. But the food and service were great.
Absolutely terrible for privacy… yeah no… not for the price you are paying. You had to ask for assistance if you were wanting to sleep flat. Out with the old, in with the new.
It is hard to imagine how a 1-1-1 arrangement could be worse. Ugh. But still...
Could this possibly be because it is off season in New Zealand.??
Wonder if this will continue come December thru March??
Now, it’s possible that availability dries up over peak season (around December through March), since that’s by far the period of highest demand. Only time will tell.
-Ben Schlappig
Those look like the old VS seats, and I did not find those very comfortable. Especially getting up to make the seat flat. I prefer to sleep at an angle.
Virgin is only able to book akl-lax or sfo and v.v. to my knowledge.
Please don't book AKL-IAH or AKL-ORD with Virgin then, more seats for me :)
Doesn’t seem possible between HNL-AKL. Bummer…