Thank God I found this thread!
I've been scouring the internet trying to figure this out myself. 99.9% of my iPad use is for Netflix. So imagine my suburban-horror when I found out that Netflix wasn't bumping into HD on the Air I just bought. I actually went back to the Apple store that same day and returned it, verifying with the Genius' there that it wasn't going into HD. They gave me a new one, same thing. We checked their Apple Store Air's, same thing. They said that since it fell in with Holiday Shopping guidelines, I could return it to the Store by January (if Netflix or Apple didn't correct the issue by then).
At least I can sleep soundly now knowing it's not just me!
I'm not sure what to make of others demanding that their iPad Air's ARE in HD. I believe they only think it is. For those that have Air's, and believe they have HD in Netflix, have you compared it to any other Apple product that has Retina?
It was CLEARLY night and day different when I had my iPad 3 w/retina playing a movie next to my iPad Air. Like, night and day different.
Anyway, I put a call into Netflix and they are investigating themselves. The tech was not aware of an issue like mine but he elevated the priority on it to get me an answer from a Senior Tech. I imagine I'll just get a response from them that indicates they are aware and working on a fix?
Here's hoping it's soon!