Ansett NZ - Flying Air NZ First Class in 1985

As I have multiple random newspaper articles, here are three from 1988-1989, and a separate article on flying Air NZ in first class in 1990

The Dominion Editorial on 5 August 1989 bemoaning that Ansett New Zealand exists mainly to keep Air New Zealand "decent" on domestic routes, but not enough people fly on it to keep it viable. The editorial says Ansett is the "tops" just "we don't fly it enough". That of course, was ultimately the problem. It takes a humorous turn predicting what would happen if (!) Ansett NZ shut down... "Anyone producing a sandwich or a pork nibble would see it snatched away and thrust into a binliner by a painted brunhilde in a bouffant hairdo who has been kept on the payroll these last few years for this happy occasion"..."The overall mood would be Czechoslovakia 1968"... "Let's not blow it over Ansett" it ends, hoping enough people would fly on it.  In the end, they did not.

A related article from 1988 predicted Ansett NZ might fly international flights (which it never did), but it would need to be 65% New Zealand owned to be designated to do so. The article noted that it could only fly routes "left open" by Air New Zealand giving landing rights (in effect routes that do not have capacity limits all taken by Air New Zealand).

The small article notes Air NZ's upgrade of its Boeing 747-200, 767 and 737 fleets with "new contour seats" for business and first class, and new menus, wines and tableware, with Royal Doulton China for first and business class.

In 1985, Paul Elenio for the Evening Post flew on Air New Zealand in first class from Auckland to Los Angeles on one of its Boeing 747-200s (stopping at Honolulu as non-stop AKL-LAX was not feasible until the Boeing 747-400s arrived). He was to continue further to Seattle for the revealing of the airlines first Boeing 767s.  This article describes his experience of flying in the nose of the Boeing 747-200 in first class. It has no photos unfortunately, but does briefly describe the "first class lounge" at Auckland international and the "delights" provided, such as champagne, feet slip-ons, eye shades, stereo headset, toothbrush set and a "leather gift". 

The meals are described, with Hors d'oeuvres, caviar and the "five fine wines".  The large reclining seats did not go completely flat of course, but he did have a good sleep, although after six hours it was time to be fed again for the arrival at Honolulu.  A continental breakfast was served.  At Honolulu everyone clears customs and immigration so the Honolulu-Los Angeles segment is effectively domestic, but it sounds like passengers all picked up luggage and dropped it off again.   Then full breakfast is served including panfried fish, poached eggs or omelette.  Before landing at Los Angeles, more food is served with sandwiches, cheese and biscuits and petit fours with coffee.  It was also noted there was a movie, which of course was shown on a single big screen at the front (no personal entertainment screens in 1985). 

Certainly catering in 1985 in first class was a big deal, but compared to 2024 in business class, which almost universally includes a lie flat seat/bed, and personal entertainment system, not to mention non-stop flights between NZ and the US mainland, it's hard to miss too much of flying in first class in 1985 (not to mention the fact part of the cabin would have had smoking allowed).