Anyone travelled Air New Zealand economy couch.

[kyl]

O.k so doing some research into flights to the orlando and thinking Air New Zealand is looking like a good option due to the economy couch for the Auckland to LAX leg of the trip. While it means it will take us longer as we will have to fly from Sydney to Auckland and then onto LAX I am wondering if it will be worth it due to being able to lay down. We are thinking of getting two couch seats so that is six seats in total but you pay for the extra seat at a third of the price. So this works out much cheaper that P.E for a family of five. Has anyone heard anything about them> I would greatly appreciate any feedback

 

[miss.potatohead]

We (family of 5, two adults three children aged between 12 and 18 at the time) flew Air New Zealand over January last year from Melbourne to LA. I can't comment on the couch seats as they were relatively new (I think) when we flew and we didn't have the option when we booked but I can't say anything negative about the flights. The crew were attentive and cheerful, the food was better than most airlines I've been on and the inflight entertainment kept us sane for the 12 or so hours. The stop over in Auckland wasn't too painful, by the time we got through security and/or customs we had an hour or so before the flight began boarding. I'd fly with them again providing the prices are comparable with other airlines

 

[aussietravellers]

I would love to know this too. I have been looking at AirNZ. If we end up getting frequent flyer flights over, then AirNZ is by far the cheapest for one way flights, so we may end up flying back with them and I love the look of those seats.

 

[kyl]

Yes those seats look better than P.E I think....to be able to lay down even if a bit snug would be great!

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Those couch seats look amazing.

 

[kyl]

They do don't they Ms. Shuttergirl! I would love to hear from someone who has used them.

 

[battymum]

I dont see how they would work if you were sharing the space with three people- but two, especially an adult and child would be great.

 

[kyl]

I dont see how they would work if you were sharing the space with three people- but two, especially an adult and child would be great.

Hi battymum,
We would share one for the two adults, so hence buy the extra seat still way cheaper than P.E. Then the three kids could share the other couch seat. DS is only 4 and he is small so I am sure we would be able to work some sort of combination out with the three kidsMaybe?

 

[Kiwianna]

If it is okay to post a link, I have read a review on another site that has photos of children sleeping on the couch.
Edited to add: Looks as if it is ok to post links, so this is one from Airliners.net
It is quite lengthy but if you scroll down the reviewer has included some photos of the seat being used as a couch.
Note that the seats in front are not reclined. I think that would reduce the room somewhat.
Also, the economy cabin seat configuration is 3-4-3 so the aisles are very narrow.

http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/trip_reports/read.main/189179/

 

[australiankaren]

hey

if you want to read reviews re seats/ airlines go to www.frequentflyer.com
and go to anz link.
from what i have read, only tiny tiny skinny people under 5 foot find them comfy to sleep on.......

 

[Andona]

I read some reviews similar to the ones Karen mentions as I'd considered getting the extra seat when we booked our AirNZ flights. I remember one review that said it was not at all comfortable for two normal sized adults to share one.

We decided not to bother because DS is 15 and taller than me. However, I might have been more inclined to give them a try when he was little.

Good luck!
Andona

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Kiwianna - thanks for sharing that link

Whoa on how small the aisles are. I seriously doubt I could walk down them. Check out the photos, I am stunned.

This would make me not consider the skycouch, I always need to pee and don't see how I'd get up the aisle

 

[kyl]

If it is okay to post a link, I have read a review on another site that has photos of children sleeping on the couch.
Edited to add: Looks as if it is ok to post links, so this is one from Airliners.net
It is quite lengthy but if you scroll down the reviewer has included some photos of the seat being used as a couch.
Note that the seats in front are not reclined. I think that would reduce the room somewhat.
Also, the economy cabin seat configuration is 3-4-3 so the aisles are very narrow.

http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/trip_reports/read.main/189179/

Thanks for that link Kiwianna . The kids look comfortable but I don't know about how adults would go? I am short but my hubby is 6ft Maybe its not worth it Oh just when I thought I had it all worked out......

 

[Travel Mum]

I have not traveled on one of them but have laid down on one on a demo unit so can give you my opinion but that is not as good as reading opinions of those who have actually flown on them.

They are more narrow than they look in photos and the only way it would work for two adults to sleep would be in the spooning postion. The adult, most likely the female, in the front would most likely have her face hard up against the seat in front of her! Plus my DH is quite tall so he'd have to have his knees quite high up in order for his feet not to be going over the aisle so not sure where that would leave me However, if you were just happy that they gave you the ability to rest in a semi sitting position with your feet fully elevated, they would be great. For three smaller children, it would work well as long as they understood they wouldn't have room to toss and turn

 

[kyl]

Thanks Travel Mum. I was even thinking maybe we could go one adult and two children, then one adult and the eldest child? Might work better. I just remember our last trip home and I would of done anything to of been able to lay down......I remember thinking the floor looked good at one point!