We're looking at Air New Zealand's premium economy seats for a LHR to LAX nonstop in November. The online views and airline web descriptions makes it sound like a very nice product. Anyone flown them? Comments?

We flew P Econ from LAX-AKL a couple of years ago. I was disappointed. I knew it wouldn't be business, and the seat pitch was more than regular economy, but I found the seats uncomfortable. The big plus was that it was 2 across and not 3 across. Food is supposed to be the biz class meal but i couldn't tell a difference. When we go again I'll likely just spend a bit extra for the skycouch.

Hi,

We are observing Air New Zealand's premium economy seats for a LHR to LAX nonstop in November.
Thanks!

Just be very careful with their weighing of carry on bags particularly out of NZ back to the US. I had my purse,liter of water bottle for the flight,some newspapers and souvenirs(earrings,stuffed penguin,etc.) that I bought at the airport along with my small carry on case.They made me weigh everything together before I went through security.The non ANZ employee made me turnaround and I had to go downstairs to the ANZ ticket counter to pay $200 as it was over 7 kgs.The ANZ agent let me put my toiletries and change of clothes in my purse with my book,water bottle,etc. and then basically checked my carry on empty (?) for the $200.

By the time, I waited in two lines to be weighed and then a cashier ,I had less than 15 minutes to get through customs and security (which an ANZ agent had to run me through).They literally closed the door behind myself and another lady who had to go through the same thing.

I found it strange that I had flown from Christchurch to Auckland with the same stuff and there wasn't a problem even though it was an smaller Airbus 319 versus a Boeing 777LR?

I am an international flight attendant with a major US airline and am very familiar about carry on luggage,size,number of pieces,etc.parameters as it is a pain on my own carrier-1 carry on and 1 purse or computer? But weighing even your hardback book you just bought and liter of water-geez...after you just paid $2600 for an economy ticket from LAX-shameful!

I flew ANZ PE from SFO to Auckland several years ago so hope info is still relevant. I only will fly Business for long haul these days, but the ANZ PE wasn't bad. If memory serves it was upper cabin of 747.

I strongly recommend the first row in the PE cabin, which was right behind the first class pods, separated only by a small serving station on one side.

In the first row, leg room was fantastic. Small storage space on the window side, since no under seat in front of you storage.

The regular (not first row) seats felt pretty close in/far less leg room, of course. I know this because I was initially placed in a seat several rows back on my return journey, but luckily a gent in the first row wanted to switch with me.

The food was ok; we got a "cheese plate" as the extra course over regular economy. Only real advantage IMO is leg room (which is my main concern) and particularly if you get first row.

On my return trip there was a couple with a constantly crying baby in FC. If I had paid 7k for FC ticket I would have been beside myself!

Hope the above is relevant info for you.

Just took a look at the seat maps at seatguru; configurations are a bit different but those first row seats in PE still look like a good bet.

$2600 for an economy ticket. That's unbelievable for economy.