After weeks of trying to get return FF seats back from Auckland NZ to Austin after DINGO. Today a very nice lady worked with me for a long time an did get me coach seats returning on 12/02. Flying out of Auckland to Fiji than on to LAX both flights on Air Pacific, from LAX to Austin we would be on American. After checking out Air Pacific on the web it does not receive very good reviews, just wanted to know if anyone has flown on AP and if so how was it? I have been trying dates from 12/1 to 12/9 and this is the first time we were able to get seats in any class on any airline. Just wondering if we should keep this return or keep trying if PA is now a great airline.

Thanks,
Carolyn

Carolyn,
We flew AP NAN-LAX a few years ago, not great. Excuse me for butting in but you might want to look at breaking your trip at Nadi and spend a couple of days in Fiji. Below is a Q&D I pulled off of Travelocity. I don't know how you feel about spending a couple of days in Fiji but I've done lots worse things in my life. Again please excuse my presumptiveness.

Greg


Fri, Dec 3, 2010Auckland International Airport (AKL) to Nadi (NAN) Depart: 01:00pm

Arrive: 04:00pm
Auckland, New Zealand (AKL) to
Nadi, Fiji (NAN)
Qantas Airways
Flight 3843 operated by Air Pacific (on Boeing 767-300)
Adult fare rules

Total Travel Time: 3 hrs

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thu, Dec 9, 2010Nadi (NAN) to Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Depart: 10:50pm

Arrive: 12:05pm
Nadi, Fiji (NAN) to
Los Angeles, CA (LAX)
Qantas Airways
Flight 3839 operated by Air Pacific (on Boeing 747-400)
Adult fare rules

1 Stop – change planes in Los Angeles, CA (LAX)
Connection Time: 6 hrs 55 mins
Depart: 07:00pm

Arrive: 11:50pm
Los Angeles, CA (LAX) to
Austin, TX (AUS)
American Airlines
Flight 2246 (on Boeing 737-800)
Adult fare rules

Total Travel Time: 20 hrs

Hi Carolyn,
Just jumping in with another thought. FF seats are always hard to get trans Pacific from Auckland. Many times we have had to bite the bullet and forego them. However , FF seats are plentiful Trans Tasman. Sometimes it is easier for us to fly from Auckland ,to Sydney and then pick up a direct flight through to LA.
It all depends on timetables and connections, but sometimes it works out.

Doesn't Air Pacific code share with Qantas? If so, they surely couldn't be that bad although that flight is a shocker no matter who you fly with!