12 hours on Air New Zealand's Dorm in the Sky
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 มิ.ย. 2024
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Join me on part 2 of my Air New Zealand business class journey from Australia to San Francisco.
This second leg is the long haul 12+ hour flight from Auckland to San Francisco. It's a night flight so gives me the chance to really test out the Air New Zealand bed - or should I say Air New Zealand Dorm in the Sky.
The design of the Air NZ business class seat and cabin is unique to say the least. Each business class seat faces inwards, away from the window and towards your fellow passengers. It makes for a very social flight and within minutes I'd made some new friends.
12 hours on Air New Zealand's Dorm in the Sky is the ultimate Air NZ business class flight review.
Join me and let's fly to the US together.
Happy Travels
Dennis
PS here's the link to my earlier flight from Melbourne to Auckland: • Testing Air New Zealan...
#airNZ #airnewzealand #AirNZUSA
00:00 Introduction
01:00 Boarding
01:30 Cheers Here's to a Great Flight
02:41 Cabin Design
04:20 The Seats
05:31 Dashlane
06:44 Drink and Dinner
08:07 The Kid's Meal
08:50 Amenities Kit
09:08 The Bed
10:14 Breakfast
10:29 Entertainment System
11:01 Landing
"Think of it as a youth hostel in the sky". An accurate - and absolutely damning - review of ANZ Business.
Except it's not accurate. No less privacy than Emirates or Singapore Airlines Business Class. Actually more privacy than both in the middle row seats.
What a stupid layout...no view...can't get up or out if ur eating or watching the screen.
Perfect review...STUPID LAYOUT
@@brettfruin8860 How often do you fly long haul in business class?
I love Air New Zealand, but these seats are so gross. If I'm travelling business it's to have peace, quiet and privacy. In my mind the greatest pleasure in flying long haul is eating a lovely meal with a gorgeous view out of the window. These seats not only remove all privacy but remove the views out of the windows. Whilst their new top-end product looks better, it's STILL angled away from the windows! Why they keep doing this I will never know. Now that prices are at the very top end to fly business premier ($17,000 for a return trip to New York on their 787) there is no way this product is worth the money.
I think I remember seeing Virgin Atlantic having similar layout, but with higher sides offering a little more privacy. But I am with you. If I'm going to shell out that much money, I do want privacy and a view.
@@wannabedal-adx458 Virgin have the standard herringbone, angled towards the windows
Waiting patiently for their new product to roll out
I agree ! The seats are gross… air Canada had theses back in 2008-2010. Virgin is using the same seat in their new upper class … that’s a hard pass for me
$17k?! Wow.
I’d rather fly via san fran with united or via japan/korea.
These seats are like the virgin Atlantic seats, I have been in them on e and never again. The most awkward and uncomfortable seats ever in a full cabin. Terrible. Shocking the seats even got past the initial design phase!
This is the stuff of nightmares, on display to everyone and children in business class, ugh, not to mention you can't see out the window
this cabin's really different to most other Business Class products. However, for the prices I'm paying for Business Class, I'm not willing to consider it a hostel - I want a Business product to be more like a 5-star hotel, ha!
In 2016 I flew Air New Zealand RT LAX - AUK on the 777-300ER. I had the same reaction about the feel of the business class cabin. It felt like a dormitory. That being said the food and service were excellent and I loved my flights.
Given the total lack of privacy, Air New Zealand should call their business class the EXHIBITIONIST or VOYEUR CLASS.
The only thing you cannot see is the best thing to watch and that is the view out the window.
Titanic Class - you lie like Rose when Jack did that drawing
I did think the same - it's such a 'sociable' cabin, which isn't ideal for a solo traveller who wants to just chill out for a few hours in the air, haha!
I disagree, there is plenty of privacy when the seat is reclined. It's a much better set up than say Singapore Airlines Business Class., and also better than Emirates in a number of ways, as even the middle row seats in the 1-2-1 configuration have privacy.
A youth hostel in the sky is the most depressing comment I’ve heard about this cabin 😂😂😂
A kid too tired for dessert?? I weep for our future. Great video as always Dennis, and you definitely made the most of that bizarre seat layout!
omg that shot at 2:47… it looks like a dinner party. People are literally looking into each other‘s eyes and talking across the aisle. a “youth hostel in the sky”? 😂 shudders
Certainly love Dennis Bunnik being cheery while filming a flight review, and to his new friends as well. Cheers, thanks for a great video
Oh, how I have missed your video’s Dennis! So happy to see them again. They are still the best! Greetings from the Netherlands 🇾🇪😘🍀
Great video, made even better with the addition of those two precious children! Ben is priceless and Sam, beautiful 😍
This is much the same as Virgin Atlantic use on the A330 - the 'Upper Class Suite' or herringbone layout. Revolutionary when it came out, but that was quite a while ago now. Reverse herringbone is much better for privacy, and for actually seeing out of the window!
Virgin we’re the first to adopt it!
For sleeping, I thought those seats were outstanding, so comfortable and so much leg room. The food looked amazing and well presented. You only saw passing shots of the crew, but every time they were seen, all were busy doing something. For an older aircraft it was incredibly well looked after, very clean. The telling point for me, was just how fresh and lively Dennis and Ben looked after 15 hours flying. Thanks again Dennis for a wonderful review.
Dennis, you really are such a nice, friendly guy who always seems to look on the bright side while filming your reviews. 👍💯. I have heard of these seats but actually seeing them has left me feeling somewhat nauseous 😱🤣. Who came up with such an absurd configuration and how on earth did Air New Zealand think that this was an appropriate design for Business Class? I kept thinking. " this must be a joke, it can't be an actual flight". I am a relatively private person and I honestly think that if I boarded this aircraft without being aware of the configuration I would immediately get off the plane. I could see how a group traveling together or an escorted tour group might like this setup but anyone traveling solo would not enjoy it. Thanks for filming this experience of yours. If one overlooks the seats, it seemed like a nice flight, good food and service. Kudos to you for being so kind to your young traveling companions. You must be an awesome dad. Take care and have a pleasant and rewarding week. 👍🏻
There is plenty of privacy when the seats are in the reclined position, which can be done before during and after take off. No need to have the seats upright for take off and landing. This is unique to Air NZ. There is more privacy in the middle seats than on say Emirates or Singapore Airlines Business Class product. The seats are way better than United Polaris or Delta One, or Lufthansa. The sleeping layout is significantly better than many other long haul business class products. If you want more privacy the best seats are in Emirates First Class Suites or the equivalent on Qatar, but then you pay the premium as well.
@@michaelwebsternz its only the middle seats
@@mike04574 There is no difference between the middle seats and the window seats. They are the same design. I came back from Houston to Auckland on NZ29 last week in Business Premier. Great as usual. Fully reclined for take off and landing and great privacy and a great nights sleep.
@@michaelwebsternz the times are moving ahead.. That seat is not
@@michaelwebsternz there's a reason they are being replaced
Dennis is a big legend
Hé is! And hè is the best!
I prefer to watch out of the window from time to time.
Thank you very much, Dennis, for sharing your wonderful documentary video with us.
Great video as always Dennis. I highly look forward to each one. I am a person who has to fly in a true window seat. I wouldn’t be able to face in. Thanks for the info.
As a long time fan of yours for 6 years it’s truly a blessing when you upload 🙌
Another great review here 👏 I thought it was about time a said a huge thank you for providing so many comprehensive reviews of your air travels. I am one of the many travel agents in Australa who use your videos as a great way to learn about the product each airline offers to give their clients an ever better experience. Please keep them coming post pandemic, it is great to see how business and at times first class offering is stacking up now!
As ex air nz staff who worked in business, the cabin was absolutely embarrassing. While the service and catering was something to be proud of, the hard product was atrocious and awkward. And the 787 seats were deff narrower
Disagree and I've done over 2M KM in the air in Business and First Class. I love the business premier hard product, especially being able to recline during take off and landing and not having to sit upright. The sleep quality is also excellent compared to other airlines products. The biggest issue for me was the price to get to Europe as it was the same as Emirates First class and there is no comparison to that in the A380 when I can get a shower on board and have a private suite in the sky and dine whenever I want for the same money as Air NZ Business Premier.
@@michaelwebsternz lol its better for 10-15 minutes then
Thanks for the video Dennis. As a young kid in San Francisco in the late 60's & early 70's I had Grandparents who were Journalists in the Bay Area. Thanks to Grandpa's connections, I got to spend many afternoons at Candlestick Park watching Willie Mays do his thing :D
That was one quick transit, Dennis. Good to see you back on AirNZ; a really detailed and fair review. Not sure I like the idea of the party in the sky concept, but you really embraced it, as did your new mate Ben. Well done. Enjoy your next flight.
Dennis, thank you for the wonderful video, very nicely done. I'm an ex Air NZ staff and definately I have to agree with you, the Business Class seats on the 787 are for sure narrower than their counterpart on the 777. A real petty as plenty more passengers are noticing it lately.
Still, I also agree the service is wonderful, however the catering could be slightly a bit more upmarket for what the tickets are charged.
I’ve heard so many people not enjoy flying over the ocean but, yes, for us Aussies it’s a must to get to most places. Think I’d prefer to be close to a window though. At least we can experience these flights through your channel. 🇦🇺
Thanks for another great video Dennis. This maybe one of the few mainstream products that rivals BA for the worst business class seats!
That cabin is absolutely hideous! I'd actively avoid flying ANZ for that - as you famously said about BA in the past "the best business class is with another airline' - that seating has no privacy and WHY have all the seats facing inward?
There are a couple of unique and important details that most reviewers miss, including even Sam Chui. 1. You can fully recline your seat during take off and landing with Air New Zealand Business Premier. 2. You can start / finish your movie or whatever entertainment during takeoff / landing as well. No need to stop using the entertainment system until after the plane is docked at the gate and can start as soon as you get on. The first point adds significantly to the comfort of the overall flight experience. I always fully recline my seat during takeoff and landing. No stupid 3 point seat belt like on United or other carriers with a similar kidney seat design either. There is plenty of privacy when in the bed mode too, and it's a very comfortable sleep.
@@juliaw3413 You can absolutely see out the window or on a window seat. It’s not hard. Especially with the seat reclined. Which includes takeoff and landing.
Fantastic trip report Dennis!😸
Yet another great video, I loved it!!!
You made those kids day!!!! ❤
Just fantastic...I love your airline reviews, cheers to you from Tehran :)
Great tips on seating configuration 👍
Good to see you enjoying yourself!
I really would love to see the focus group and demographic they used in deciding that people would just love those seats in that configuration. I showed your video to a bunch of friends online and every person had the same response: Um... nope.
After over 2M KM of flying in Business / First Class I still love this Air NZ seating configuration. Especially being able to recline the seat fully during take off and landing and not having to sit upright at any time. Especially the sleeping position and the quality of sleep. It might seem weird at first, but it's a great product to use when you know what you're doing. Complete privacy if you want it when reclined, or you can be amongst it all sitting fully upright. Share a meal with a friend, or not.
Many thanks for another great video.
Hi Dennis, a great review as always. Air New Zealand are on my bucket list.
Keep up the great reviews.
Kind regards
DS
Perfect timing watching this, was just about to book this to LAX. Saw the business class layout and will happily pay more to travel in real business.
Air NZ is real business. Better than United, Delta, Qantas, Emirates or Singapore Airlines. Especially the middle rows, and especially when the seats are reclined, which you can do for take off and landing (unique to Air NZ). Way better sleep than on the other airlines. My seat is always reclined from the moment I get on the plane to the moment I depart at my destination gate. Can't do that on any other airline's business or first class product that I've experienced.
Loved it Dennis. Cheers!
Good to see you back mate have missed your videos. You are a gentleman vlogger.
Great video Dennis. Never flown NZ air before. Think I will wait till they update their Business seats
What a lovely flight.
Definitely "party time" in the cabin , eh ?🎉🎊
Twas nice that y found some new friends, too.
Hop you get a chance to catch up with Jeb Brooks while you are there...you guys always have so much fun !
Having a fair amount of social anxiety, I don't think I could ever fly that configuration. Thanks for the heads up and will look for their cabin upgrades.
Me neither - I really don't ike it.
If it’s that bad, you probably need to see someone about that!
I have flying anxiety and I fly Air NZ Business Class and this configuration helps with those anxieties - I can see people. I find their beds to be very comfortable and the food and service are always fantastic.
You don’t need to suffer from anxiety to be put off by that cabin layout. It’s horrendous and I’m stunned people still pay for it. Give me the privacy of SQ.
It's not an issue. Just recline the seat as soon as you get on board and you have privacy and don't have to worry about anyone else. The seats can be left reclined during take off and landing. That's unique to Air NZ.
why do i feel like watching these reviews are like ftimg my dad, dennis is so cute
Hi Dennis, I always think that’s kinda funny. People watch you filming and go what is this guy doing, lol. Really great detailed review of the flight like always. Thanks for another great flight!
Thanks for a fair review. We pretty much always fly Air NZ Business Class and I actually do like the layout but I know a lot who don't. We are off in a couple of weeks to Vancouver via a stopover in Auckland. We have a J and K for the short hop (full flight I guess due to the Bledisloe that night) but A seats for the Auckland to Vancouver for the reasons you have stated - looking forward to their service and their beds are very comfortable.
The seats were ok 15 years ago but now they're just tiny and rubbish compared to ANA, Qatar, and even United, the cabin upgrades can't come soon enough.
@@Fishfingers232 United Polaris seats are rubbish in comparison. Air NZ has better privacy than the Emirates Business Class Seats, or Singapore Airlines, especially when considering the middle seats. I hate the stupid 3 point seat belt on United Polaris and not being able to recline the seat during take off and landing.
I really like Air NZ Business Premier as well. The beds are super comfortable and there is plenty of privacy when the seats are reclined, which for me is always, i.e. before, during and after take off and landing, which is something unique to Air New Zealand.
@@michaelwebsternz you're kidding comparing this with emirates or singapore airlines
@@mike04574 Not at all. Have flown many business class and first class products it's an easy direct comparison. Especially when compared to the 777 products of the other airlines. A380 product of Emirates and Singapore airlines being excepted. I prefer the Air NZ seats to Singapore Airlines though. The A380 Emirates Business Class is better though. Their 777 business class is not.
Thanks for this vlog. Fly and stay safe. Ciao.
I'm glad that I watched Dennis again.
Aw❤ what a cute helper
Amazing vlog as always!! Miss seeing the air new Zealand 777's at London Heathrow
ANZ’s soft product seems amazing, but these seats would be enough of a deterrent for me to find a different way to get where i’m going
Thanks for the tip I've decided to go Qantas 😜
Done a lot of business class flights. For sleeping probably thee most comfortable bed there is. Also if you are frequent flyer you can get a bespoke breakfast somehow. My favourite was bacon sausages and eggs and nothing else. Loved it.service great. Lastly the beds have your head and torso very private. You can sleep with no interruptions. Surely that is the point?
I like looking out the window
Great vids🙏
Hay love your videos and glad your doing good 😌
Great glasses btw!
Love the glasses
Just thinking that the serendipitous interaction with the kids might have never happened if you were in a traditional configuration makes me sad. That is what made this video so good! It's so true what they say about growth when you're outside your comfort zone.
Yeah that's just what you want in business class kids being a pain in the ass 😂
@@bdiamond545 😂 they are everywhere, what can you do 🤷♂️
Interesting long haul product. Welcome to San Francisco!
- Red
Another great review, and I appreciate your ability to remain positive, even when the cabin layout could cause reasons to complain!
Air New Zealand just started JFK flights. Imagine 15 hours in that seat!
17 hours
Thanks
Thanks Dennis. You were born for first and business class. I love the airline but not the seat layout.
Thanks for another great video. Air NZ business class is just as bad as British Airways "Yin Yang" seat configuration. Not sure which one will be worse .... maybe still BA? Services are great for both but what's up with the weird seat configuration?
I’d been thinking of flying air New Zealand business for my next international trip. After seeing this there’s no way. Cannot stand the open, social set up.
Awesome video as always, but as other commenters have said - you wouldn't catch me flying this cabin layout with my own money. Way too exposed, I would cringe having to look at someone across from me for 14 hours.
SFO my city.. Hope your trip was great....
I used to fly on that flight to LA several times and hated the seating and service. Now I’m UK based I’ve got used to the fantastic Emirates A380 business class seats and service 👌
Dennis' presentation is superb - and I'm a pom! What is a 787-9N? New Zealand? If so, what's different? Was there ever a better time to take your scissors and cut the big toe bit out of your socks?😁😁 Isn't the mask supposed to cover the nose?
Coffin Class. Yes, the 'coffin's' are narrower on the B787-9's than on the B777-300ER's. There are good number of of Air NZ frequent flyers don't like them.
No one does it like Dennis. :)
Dennis, Dennis, Dennis….. As a Dutch Kiwi, I’m appalled with your honest review. How dare you tell the truth…..
Dennis, welcome back to the US. The seating arrangements are a little unusual. Time for a collaboration with NC's Jeb Brooks.
We flew cattle class Air NZ 20+ years ago Melb > Sydney > NZ > LA 17hrs!!! Funny thing then it was shared flight with United and their fares were significantly more expensive to ours. As it was we then boarded Amtrak (cattle class) and it not until Flagstaff that we got to sleep in a bed. You younguns have it soooo easy now
The tide was out in that smoothy.
Welcome back to the States!
Looking forward to my own pending trip on NZ8 (sadly in the cheap seats, although I'm splashing out for Skycouch).
Nice work Dennis this flight seemed like so much more fun then part 1 across the Tasman sea however the ANZ B777-300ER looks so much nicer then their 787-9 Dreamliner! Also sorry but those seats on that 787-9 look horrible, yikes 😳 I wouldn’t like to be watched the entire flight especially one so long all the way from New Zealand 🇳🇿 to the USA 🇺🇸 Reminds me a lot of Jeb’s flight recently from JFK-AKL! 😊 I cannot wait to fly ANZ someday soon! 👍
Cheers 🥂 my friend hope you had a great flight! ✈️
-Caleb’s Aviation
You sound so reluctant to be coming to ‘Murica! Trust me, it is one heck of a time here. Hope you enjoyed (or at least survived) your stay!
Dennis sounded happy to be in the US. Been there 6 times now from 🇦🇺. Had a 7th booked in Dec 2020. Happy travels.
Your first long haul flight with Air New Zealand ??!! Wow, I have 11 long haul flights with Air New Zealand and I live in Norway ... :-)
Grate flight how long was it and good that the kids were look after
Finally found the channel
Dennis's trip reports are excellent & a pleasure to watch. Major health issues including terminal cancer preclude further hopes of international travel. Originally from Scotland I've been in NZ for 59 years but had one trip back in 1974. Flew ANZ DC10 TO Honolulu in 1974 where I changed to a Canadian Pacific DC8 to Vancouver so this present trip of Dennis's is particularly interesting.
One problems though - I like he idea of Dashlane as a password manager but when trying to use it after setting up a password it kept saying my usual email address which works perfectly elsewhere is invalid so I'm blocked from making progress with this promising software.
All the best Bob - hope the vicarious travels via Dennis and others help with the lack of personal travel.
They're pretty ghastly seats, but the beds are comfortable - they seem to have a very thick mattress compared to other airlines.
I’ll be taking this flight April 2025 but in Economy Skycouch. Had hoped to do the direct flight to Chicago but they’ve canceled that route for a while.
Two times with my hot dog and soda on the Giants dugout :D
Thx Dennis! Must say a very odd seating layout! Don't we usually pay a bit more for privacy??
Very similar if not the same as virgins old upper seats
Oh indeed, it's like a dormitory - and a pricey one compared to competitor ! Despite this, the crew ensures a calm, restful and thoroughly enjoyable atmosphere and experience - uniquly theirs in this cut throat industry. They have the X factor which I absolutely love. Fortunately, I have been flying with them for over 50 years ! Thanks for this video - I am looking forward to my next flight with my favourite airline. Stay well and positive. Hello from London, UK : - )
I don't see any X factor just a crap factor with that over priced seat!
Dennis interesting vlog
Still don’t like the business class seating configuration
Are you supposed to,report your opposing seat mate for something ?
To intrusive préférée the old normal configuration
Problem with something like dash lane is that is the software glitches unare locked out of everything
I have flown every configuration of the 787 business class (this exact seat on Virgin Atlantic). I can tell you that while it's weird at first to be looking at people's feet. But the openness of the cabin makes up for it. The new A350 seats on Virgin are claustrophobic by comparison (albeit more "private").
What is the point of window seats that do not actually face the window? Airlines need to get this sorted.
Youth hostel in the sky!!!
This must be the most polite way to say you hate the seat configuration 😂
The entire committee who designed this cabin layout had to be "stoned to the BEJEESUS BELT" and never set down the BONG! 🤪😜😵💫🥴🤯
Very true..........and yes for me , I just say "See me in my Office"..!
When,or if,Air Zealand finally install their bunk beds in Economy they'll have a real airborne youth hostel!
Wanted to sign up for dashlane but the website says the coupon code is invalid :(
อย่ากไห้คุณทำคลิปบ่อยๆ นำเสนอได้ดีมาก ✌️
Air NZ needs to add a first class option that not only gives passengers privacy but also a window seat option to be enable seeing out without having to strain their necks.
Enjoy your videos. This was particularly useful, as I now know to avoid Air NewZealand. What executive ever thought that this cabin layout would be a good choice for business. Awful!