For the San Francisco -> Auckland leg of our trip we upgraded to Air New Zealand’s “Premium Economy” class of seating. It was totally worth the expense. It went like this:

• We used the Business Class check-in. We waited in a line of 5 people, rather than a line of 50.
• We boarded the aircraft at our leisure and were greeted with a glass of Champagne.
• On our seat was a gift bag containing a bottle of water, headphones, ear plugs, toothbrush and toothpaste, a sleep mask and a blanket.
• We had 50% more legroom than those suckers in normal economy. I could fully extend my legs!
• Our seats reclined about 50% more than a normal seat, and we had a foot rest as well.
• We could access 20+ movies and 20+ TV shows from our personal video screen. We could pause, fast forward and rewind. We could even access a "moving map" that showed how far along our route we’d travelled.

But wait, it gets better!

• Dinner consisted of salad, bread, lamb, chicken or fish, and dessert with a full complement of wine, teas and coffee.
• Breakfast consisted of fresh fruit, bread, yogurt, French toast or eggs and a full complement of juices, teas and coffee.
• In short, it was a far cry from the 14 hours of misery we’d been expecting. I didn’t sleep that well (those damned bottom dwellers in coach had crying babies with them. But what do you expect from the unwashed masses?*) but otherwise it was almost enjoyable.

One final note: my momentary feelings of superiority from my "Premium" status evaporated when I saw how the fat cats in first class were travelling: personal ottomans to stretch out on, small work tables with larger video screens and all the personal space they could possibly need. Damn fat cats.

We’re off to explore Auckland. Pictures and more entries will be forthcoming.

 
* Yes, that’s tongue in cheek.