Howdy Ags,

Quick question, was hoping to get a consensus here of what everyone else thinks. My situation is as follows: I'm sitting on a AIR NZ 777-300 Jet from LAX to NZ on 02/07/15 for a 13 hour flight to NZ for a two week vacation. Traveling by myself for the trip. As of two nights ago I was sitting at the very rear of the plane in PREFERRED ECONOMY in a TWO SEAT ROW next to the bathroom. I was originally by myself in this two seat row and pretty excited about that fact until last night when I took a gander and noticed someone had taken the seat next to mine. I'm not a chatty traveler and I was looking forward to the space on such a long flight so I was pretty discouraged when the seat got taken. I'm currently weighing options right now as to if I should move to another seat on the plane, pictures will follow showing my options, or remaining in the seat and just sucking it up. I know there are a lot of variables at play here and I could run the risk of sitting next to more than just one other person if I move, thats why I'm here asking the question.

This is where I am currently sitting:



Included are my options











Mouse cursors mark the options as of noon today. I believe that, my current, and probably most satisfactory option, is to wait until last minute Friday (My trip begins Saturday morning from DFW to LAX then LAX to NZ ) and look again, see whats open, and decide then. This seat here is my number one choice if the seat beside it stays open:



What do y'all think?

http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Air_New_Zealand/Air_New_Zealand_Boeing_777-300.php

Had no idea that existed, thank you. Doesn't tell me much however about the seat. I'm going to start scanning through the comments. They do list my seat as a BE AWARE

I've been reading up and apparently these are the worst planes to travel on. **** me. . .

39k is open and someone on another website said those are pretty good seats to get. . . It looks like room is incredibly narrow so I definitely need to find a seat with an open one beside me. My number one choice is becoming more and more close to be chosen.

Why did you choose to sit so close to the lavatory? The traffic, smell, and noise would be awful to sit next to for 13 hours. Have you ever been on a plane?

At the time it was perfect cause of the empty row there and no one beside me, I'm going to more than likely move to my number one choice. I've been doing reading and these planes are **** apparently. I won't be stuck back there next to random now that I've decided.

NEVER sit by the bathroom on a long flight...ever!

Your best bet is a window seat in the 3 person row with no one next to you.

But, judging by the seat bookings so far, I am going to assume that it will be a full flight by the time everyone checks in.

You should never expect a seat next to you on those flights. It happens by luck more than anything else.

So go with an aisle seat then instead of the window three person row? Stay? What? What about the one thats the favorite so far?

I have until like 10 PM tonight to decide. And it's honestly between these two seats here

I've done that exact flight and was in a window seat, it was fine. But I typically don't get up but once or twice on a 13-hour flight.

On DFW-HKG a later today, 16 fun hours.

If you have this much trouble picking a seat, It may be best you not travel to a foreign country without a chaperone.

I agree with BMX Bandit ..
Pick a freaking window seat and pound some cheap wine...

The flight filled up incredibly last night. Multiple open seats taken. Anyways, I picked 49G and am sticking with it. When I reach to check in, I might switch one last time, but probably not.

Thanks for all the help, this is my first international flight, so I was merely asking for as much help/tips as possible. I don't travel very much so yeah, this is a new experience for me.

There is really no way to know if you are going to have an empty seat next to you during the flight or not. There have been times when I checked in, chose a spot that had empty seats next to it, and then ended up with someone next to me anyway. Lots of people change their seat choice while checking in.

I would say that you need to move away from the lavatory. The seat you have now is one of the worst on the plane. There will be constant traffic right there. People will be standing next to you waiting to use the restroom, your seat will constantly get bumped, and the odor will no doubt get pretty horrible. Not to mention people tend to get up and go stand around that area on such a long flight to stretch their legs.

I agree, don't take that seat. On a 13 hour flight like that, many will only need to go number 1, but many will also need to hmmmmmmmph and urrrrrrrrgh some out. This will be bad for your enjoyment.

I'd say don't overthink it but I know how it can be on an international flight, especially one of that length. You're talking about the difference between "meh" and "slightly other version of meh" when you're comparing coach seats. I'd get away from the lavatories.

Just came back from NZ trip this past November and flew ANZ 777-300. From your first photo i sat on the far left window seat last "3" row before the three rows of "2 seaters". No smells or anything for me. But like everyone said. Pick a window seat and drink every alcoholic drink they offer you. From the window you will get a great view of the green rolling hills of the north island on the approach

And when you're landing you can say to yourself "boy am I glad I'm not bthotugigem05", I've been in the air for just under 3 hours and still have 14 left.

I have flown ANZ on my way to Australia a couple of dozen times. My advice if you can afford it, is to get premium economy on the 777-300. You will get the space saver seats on that plane. For a flight that long, economy is miserable no matter where you sit IMO. I had to do it once and hated it. I started flying United the second half of the year though, and just hit up business class. In all fairness though, the company has paid for these trips.

I always wanted an aisle seat for the fact that I hate crawling over people in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom or stretch. Some people prefer crawling over people to being crawled over. Personal preference I guess.

The upside, ANZ is much friendlier than the miserable trolls that work for United. ANZ is one of my favorite airlines.

Advice, about an hour or so before flight, if any seats are available in another class, call and negotiate a better price. I literally did this with United on SFO to SYD. The cost to upgrade was $4000, even at check in, and about one hour before the flight, I called United and got it for $700.

Thanks all. Unfortunately, I didn't get the window seat. If the last one I saw is still available by check in I might take it, but I don't want to crawl over anyone during the night if I have to use the bathroom.

I'm looking forward to getting the travel over with. For a tall and broad guy like myself I'm positive I'll be uncomfortable, but I'm doing what I can to avoid being miserable and have that set the tone for the first day or so.

As for now, I'm going to sleep. Gotta wake up early tomorrow for the first leg to LA in the morning. I'll be happy when the traveling is done and I can sit down and take a breath in New Zealand. I'm sure I'll ask the same seat question for my next flight home... Where I'm sitting in the same original seat.

Congratulations on your first International flight. Mine was 38 years ago Air NZ is nice. Don't worry about the length of the flight.

Just watch some Auckland Daze And if you can find Eagle vs. Shark that would be great.

If you're going to stay in Auckland head to the viaduct and enjoy a few pints at Danny Doolans.

Thanks for the points! I'm going to see my girlfriend whose studying over there so it'll be nice to relax with her. My only issue was thus travel bit.

Hoping the seat next to me remains empty, we'll see, I saw that their in flight entertainment has quite a bit of recent films I didn't see. I'll hook into those and take a couple zzzquil and see if I can't knock out. I'm sure by when I wake up it'll be time to land.

Any other advice for when I get to Nz? Landing? Customs? Will take all!

Bring a great camera and be prepared to fall in love with NZed.

ANZ is fine, you'll be cramped in there but the flight attendants are great and the food is better than US carriers. I did a write up on that flight on the blog: http://andystravelblog.boardingarea.com/2013/09/09/to-middle-earth-part-i-part-one/

Too late I'm sure, but always get a window seat for the long flights. It is easier to sleep!

quote:

---

Why did you choose to sit so close to the lavatory? The traffic, smell, and noise would be awful to sit next to for 13 hours. Have you ever been on a plane?

---

My wife and I choose the same seats on a 10 hour flight an would do it again. The smell was barely noticeably, had headphones on the whole time watching movies, and enjoyed the extra room between the seat and window. Plus you're right there to grab snacks and of course the restroom.

My originally instinct was that it was a good location away from everyone else and throughout the time before the trip, the seat beside me was empty. It was perfectly next to the bathroom and at the rear so no one beside or behind to screw with me or my seat. The extra legroom was a plus too.

I just landed in LA. Again, when I check in, I'll check the seats. I might switch to window, if available

quote:

---

Too late I'm sure, but always get a window seat for the long flights. It is easier to sleep!

---

From when I first started flying as a kid up until about 3 years ago, I was always a Window seat guy. I've made numerous long-haul flights - like probably more than 60 14+ hour nonstop flights (I grew up in Saudi Arabia and now live in Australia so yeah, those numbers are real).

I was flying from LAX to Sydney in Economy Class sitting next to the window. It was a full flight. I had my standard 4 beers before I got on the plane. I crashed out for a little while but when I woke up there was no way to get out of the window to the aisle to go to the bathroom. I sat there for about 3-4 hours dying to go to the can. So... after 9 1/2 hours sitting next to the Window I decided it was time for me to make a personal travel policy change.

I'm now officially an Aisle seat guy on anything over 6 hours. Short-haul like San Francisco to Houston, I'm in the Window Seat and not getting up for anything.

I'm losing my Business Class privileges next month (company travel policy) so I need to remind myself what it was like 3 years ago flying in Economy. On the upside, at least I'll be meeting people that are close to my age now No more entitled 60 year olds.

Claim your hiking boots in customs or risk $400nzd fine. If they are clean great if not they will clean the exterior.

Also claim you have air sickness and that you are dizzy. You will breeze through customs. I had some serious sinus issues before during and after the trip and after the lax-akl flight I was incredibly dizzy, nauseous, and my left ear was ringing... Never had air pressure issues like that in my life and it was hell when combined with a 13 hr flight, lack of sleep.

Also take tons of photos AND videos. And enjoy the moment and small unique things you will only experience on that part of the world. If you are in a rural area at night check out the different celestial sky. Never seen so many stars in my life. This is One of those once in a lifetime trips if you are like me and not a millionaire who can go every year or so.

I'm sure you have packed this but I cannot stress this enough. BRING YOUR RAIN JACKET with you everywhere you hike/explore. Weather changes a lot.

If you plan on driving and you have never driven on that side of the road, you will mix up the windshield wipers/turn signal so just accept it.

Give yourself plenty of time between cities as the drive times on Google maps assume 100kph the entire drive but with all of the one way bridges and terrain especially the South Island it will take you longer. Get a SIM card for your phone from any of the kiosks once you go through customs and use google maps instead of a car gps to navigate the roads. As long as you have a cell signal when you start your driving directions you will continue to get "turn by turn" directions even when the cell signal is lost

The carryon weight departing from NZ to LAX is half of what the carryon limit is going from LAX to NZ.

Update on the travel. I am here in Auckland, arrived this morning. The seat beside me did not remain empty and the flight was miserable. Kept getting bumped, nudged, and woken up by something. Didn't sleep. Sat on that 13 hour flight wanting to kill myself.

Anyways, glad it's done, and looking into calling about getting upgraded on the next flight to avoid Economy again. If anything, there are a row of seats behind the bulk head that has amazing leg room from what I saw. 48K is my choice if I can get it.

However, in flight entertainment was superb.

Now imagine how much fun that would have been on United Airlines

Enjoy NZ and better luck on the return leg.

Crappy seats and long flights are survivable! I use to have to fly Delta 7 and Delta 8, between Atlanta and Dubai about 4-6 times a year. Before I built up miles and prestige, I had to sit in the middle seat on that 16 hour flight. The first time, I woke up while we were taxing to the runway and found I was sleeping on some Arab dude's shoulder and was drooling... It was a long flight. But I got a 50% bonus on my miles for the crappy seat!

quote:

---

Update on the travel. I am here in Auckland, arrived this morning. The seat beside me did not remain empty and the flight was miserable. Kept getting bumped, nudged, and woken up by something. Didn't sleep. Sat on that 13 hour flight wanting to kill myself.

Anyways, glad it's done, and looking into calling about getting upgraded on the next flight to avoid Economy again. If anything, there are a row of seats behind the bulk head that has amazing leg room from what I saw. 48K is my choice if I can get it.

However, in flight entertainment was superb.

---

On the way hope just pop a couple of NyQuils and PTFO.

Yeah I have a much better seat behind a bulk head, but the bulk head actually ends in front of the middle seat and theres a little area in front of me thats opened up. I'm sitting there now, unfortunately, it looks like I'm sitting next to a mother and her baby. I simply cannot win with economy on international it seems.

In any case, I leave tomorrow night and NZ has been nothing, but spectacular. Do plan on coming back next year again with tickets purchased way in advance so as to get exit row. I'm taking some Zzzquil with me and depending on how comfortable I am, I'll probably take them. If I'm way uncomfortable, again, I'll probably just suffer through the flight and watch movies and/or read. My biggest issue will be the transfer from the international terminal in LAX to my domestic terminal while dragging all my ****. I'm adding a second checked bag because I'll definitely be over the 50 LBS limit on my main suitcase thanks to gifts for family/friends. That will be annoying.

Spent a lot of money here, stuff is way more expensive than in USA. However, thats to be expected. Glad to have Sunday when I get back to rest and recupe before heading back to work come Monday. Hear the weather is ****. Here's to a better return flight.

quote:

---

My biggest issue will be the transfer from the international terminal in LAX to my domestic terminal while dragging all my ****. I'm adding a second checked bag because I'll definitely be over the 50 LBS limit on my main suitcase thanks to gifts for family/friends. That will be annoying.

---

That won't be an issue. After you clear customs with your luggage at LAX there is a bag transfer on your right as you start to head out. They will take your checked bags and move them onto your domesic flight.

quote:

---

That won't be an issue. After you clear customs with your luggage at LAX there is a bag transfer on your right as you start to head out. They will take your checked bags and move them onto your domesic flight.

---

And that's exactly what caused me to miss my connection to SFO this morning.
Flight from SYD-LAX was 25 minutes late getting in but... it was the 30 extra minutes that I had to wait for my snowboard bag that really cost me. Combined with...
Somebody was bringing back a bottle of Aussie wine (ironically to California) and dropped it on the floor which caused the lines to neck down even further. So... by the time I got to the baggage re-check, it was too late to get my flight.

Then, of course I still had to walk down to Terminal 7 to clear security again. Ugh! Next time my company makes me fly United, I'm going to force them to fly me nonstop to SFO. Or even connect through AKL as long as I don't have to connect through LAX.