Air New Zealand offers Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy Class on its flights between Auckland and Honolulu. As the flight time is generally over eight hours in each direction, we review the merits of flying Business Class and Premium Economy.
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Overview of the Auckland / Hawaii Flight Times
The Air New Zealand flight from Auckland to Honolulu is an overnight flight, departing Auckland after 10pm and arriving around 8am into Honolulu (you gain a day here when crossing the date line). This arrival time in Honolulu has a history of presenting a challenge for booking hotels, as rooms generally aren’t available until early afternoon (requiring either the room to be booked from the day before or a morning of strolling Waikiki).
The flight home is a day flight, departing from Honolulu in the morning, arriving in Auckland early evening on the following day (again impacted by the dateline).
With both the arrival and departure times the Honolulu rush hour traffic needs to be taken into account. On arrival a fixed fare transfer may avoid watching a taxi meter ticking over while stationary on a four lane highway. On departure, make sure you allow enough time to get to the airport.
Onboard in Business Premier and Premium Economy
The 777 Business Premier seats are the herringbone design (with the ottoman footrest) and a 1 – 2 – 1 configuration. The seat and bed configuration is comfortable without feeling generous. Fine Travel clients who favour Emirates, Singapore Airlines Business Class seats or the Qatar Airways Qsuite for flights to the UK and Europe may note the difference in space and privacy. On the Dreamliner there is one less middle row of Business Class seats (18 rather than 44 on the 777).
In the 777 Premium Economy the seats offer a more generous recline than Economy (but perhaps not quite enough to get past that “head rocking forward” angle when sleeping), and footrests (the ones with an extension that needs to be pushed out with some force). The 777 configuration is 2 – 4 – 2 so it is possible to get “trapped” in the middle seat, although the spacing between rows is generous. On the Dreamliner there Premium Economy cabin is considerably smaller (21 seats vs 54 on the 777). The Premium Economy menu is similar to Business Premier, but with fewer options and a more basic presentation.
For Fine Travel clients debating whether to fly Business Premier or Premium Economy between Auckland and Honolulu, we have the following observations:
- For the overnight flight from Auckland, Business Premier makes sense to get some sleep – waking to breakfast and a slightly less disturbed body clock.
- From a practical onboard perspective, for an 8 ½ hour flight (and on our flight it was an hour quicker), once the seat belt sign has been extinguished, drinks and supper served, (and cleared) and the crew set up the bed, it is likely to be around midnight (NZ time) before you close your eyes. You may then only have a less than refreshing 4 hours sleep before you and your fellow passengers begin to stir and breakfast is served.
- If this potential experience puts you in two minds, you may wish to consider booking Business Class, eating dinner in the Air New Zealand lounge and then asking the crew to set up your bed as soon as possible. Skip supper onboard and take the opportunity for a longer night’s sleep.
- If you don’t sleep well on planes, regardless of the seat, consider booking Premium Economy and try using a Recognition or One Up upgrade – accepting that in either cabin you’re unlikely to get a full night’s sleep.
As the return flight is a day flight, the angle and spacing of the Premium Economy seats are more than comfortable for reading, watching movies and catching up on emails (where onboard WIFI is enabled).
Cruises from Honolulu
Honolulu has returned as a cruise holiday destination. Whether it is a cruise around the Hawaiian islands, or boarding a cruise from Honolulu to head further afield.
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Planning a Hawaiian Holiday
As a full service travel agency, Fine Travel can assist with planning and booking all aspects of a Hawaiian holiday, including airfares, accommodation, transfers, cruises and importantly (for the US) travel insurance.
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