Air New Zealand and Qantas are among the many top-rated airways on this planet.
So, which presents the very best home service? We put each to the take a look at on two thriller flights – we flew Adelaide to Sydney with Qantas and Christchurch to Auckland with Air New Zealand.
Here is which got here out on high.
Verify-in
Each Air New Zealand and Qantas use self check-in kiosks for home flights – with Qantas in the midst of rolling out new expertise that can examine in prospects “4 occasions sooner”.
Each have been fast and environment friendly, with out queues.
Winner: tie
We examined Air New Zealand on the Christchurch to Auckland route. Picture: Brook Sabin/Stuff
Baggage allowance
Air New Zealand has 4 varieties of home fares, the most cost effective being a “seat fare”, which does not embody checked-in baggage. To get a bag, that you must purchase the dearer seat + bag fare.
Qantas, nevertheless, contains at the least one 23kg checked bag on all home fares.
Winner: Qantas
The Adelaide Qantas Membership was massive, however dated. Picture: Brook Sabin/Stuff
The lounge
Strolling contained in the Adelaide Qantas Membership is sort of a time portal to the early Nineteen Nineties: whereas spacious, it is dated. The meal selections included porridge, plates of baked beans, cereals, boiled eggs, toast, salads, a pile of cheese slices and ham. It was underwhelming.
In distinction, Air New Zealand’s Christchurch lounge is fashionable and has a powerful choice of wonderful meals, snacks and drinks. The one grievance was that it was too full.
Winner: Air New Zealand
Punctuality
Our Air New Zealand service departed 5 minutes late and arrived on the gate two minutes late. On account of a sick crew member, our Qantas flight left 53 minutes late and arrived 41 minutes late.
Winner: Air New Zealand
We travelled on a Qantas 737. Picture: Brook Sabin/Stuff
The aircraft
Our Qantas aircraft was a nine-year-old 737-800, the spine of its home fleet. It has two lessons: enterprise and financial system.
The Air New Zealand flight was on a 9-year-old A320. It’s all financial system, nevertheless, the entrance of the aircraft has House+ seats with extra legroom.
Winner: tie
The seat
I used to be in 29B of Air New Zealand’s aircraft with 30″ pitch and 17.7″ of width. On Qantas, I used to be in 12B with 30″ of pitch and 17.2″ of width. Air New Zealand’s felt comfier and barely roomier.
Winner: Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand’s snack providing. Picture: Brook Sabin/Stuff
In-flight leisure
Air New Zealand had solely two choices: the old-school display screen from the ceiling or the Koru Journal.
Qantas had in-flight Wi-fi (labored intermittently) and a display screen at the back of each seat, with a choice of films and TV reveals.
Winner: A transparent win for Qantas
The service
Air New Zealand’s crew have been pleasant, environment friendly and caring for a passenger who wanted oxygen throughout the flight. I additionally admire their dedication to incorporating Māori tradition into its service.
Qantas crew have been additionally pleasant, nevertheless, I’ve by no means heard an Aboriginal phrase used on a Qantas flight throughout any bulletins. It is fairly the distinction to what Kiwis are used to.
Winner: Air New Zealand
The snacks
Our snacks on the Qantas flight. Picture: Brook Sabin/Stuff
Air New Zealand provided its customary tea, espresso and water service alongside two snacks – Correct Crisps or a chocolate Cookie Time Cookie.
In distinction, Qantas provided a wider choice of drinks (together with mushy drinks) however only one snack: chocolate chip lamington cookies.
Winner: Tie
The decision
Air New Zealand presents a greater home product with 4 wins, in comparison with Qantas’ two.
