I just paid for flights to New Zealand. This is something I have to do quite often and, I imagine, none of you are strangers to it either. For my wife and I and our 1 year old son it will set us back $5,268 return from Victoria to Auckland over the Christmas 2009 period. We are taking the direct Vancouver to Auckland Air New Zealand/Air Canada flight (because we have seen enough of Los Angeles airport for two lifetimes).
I was wondering if any of the Victoria Kiwis had opinions on the best way to travel to NZ?
Any hints or tips (especially for flying with a one year old)?
Any stories or adventures you've had in your travels?
Use the comments section of this article's webpage to add your thoughts on the ups and downs of flying to New Zealand and back again.
9 comments:
Last tme I went I used Air New Zealand direct from Vancouver to Auckland - good flight and best airline
Yeah, I agree WHOLEHEARTEDLY!
THE BEST way to go !
..... But I hear that QANTAS have a sale on going from San Fran. to announce their NEW A 380
The fares are around $1,000 I believe but there is a few draw backs..... Firstly it is an Ausi airline,
Secondly you have to get to San. Francisco and thirdly the seat sale may not be in effect at time of travel? It may be worth taking a look.
Say G'day to good old Kiwi-land.
Cheers,
Nick
We travelled Vancouver/Auckland a year ago on ANZ and Sydney/Vancouver on Air Canada. Pretty much the same - same aircraft but slightly different configuration. ANZ have a few coach rows with greater space and slightly higher price, they have better entertainment games, but do not have power outlets in coach - Air Canada has power. Otherwise it's pretty much a toss up between the two.
Unfortunately Air Canada does not fly into NZ.
I think Air New Zealand and Air Canada have a deal where they both operate the same flight path using Air NZ jets. I could have bought the same direct flight from Air NZ (same time plane, same exact flight) but I went with Air Canada because it's just easier from this end.
Yes, Paul is right. My wife and I went to NZ in Feb on that direct flight from Vancouver, the flights were coeded as Air Canada, but Air NZ and Air Canada are (happily) both part of the Star Alliance so they code share their flights. We were actually originally booked to travel to NZ with Air Pacific out of Vancouver via Honolulu and Fiji but they have pulled out of the Vancouver-Honolulu route because they were losing $, so that is one less option for getting to NZ that doesn't involve going via LAX that's no longer available. We loved the direct flight - no dealing with US bureaucracy.
Don't get me started on US customs.
Customs: You don't seem to have filled in your address while in the US sir
Me: That's because I'm just transferring. It says so right there on the form.
Customs: But we will need your address while in the US
Me: Err... but I'm not staying in the US. I just got off a plane from Canada. I'm getting on a plane to NZ in 10 mins.
Customs: Please fill out your address while in the US sir.
Me: (Here I contemplate putting the seventh level of hell or the center of stupidity in the Universe but instead opt for simply LAX)
Customs: (Takes my wee card) Does this mean you will not be leaving the airport Sir?
Me: (Must... not... be... sarcastic...) Yes (has... authority... to... search... bottom...) Sir
Kia Ora everyone from Aotearoa.
Just got a seat sale notice from Pacesetters Travel in Victoria.
NEW ZEALAND SEAT SALE!!- Auckland $998.00- This fare is with Air New Zealand and is valid for departures from now until September 21st. Add ons to other New Zealand cities . Free stopovers available in The Cook Islands, Tonga or Samoa. Please call or email for details.
This same fare to Auckland is also available with Qantas but does not offer the stopover options.
AUSTRALIA SEAT SALE!! $998.00 to Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne. This fare is with Qantas, Air New Zealand or Air Canada. Departures from now until September 21st As you can well imagine the seats are very limited. Call for the dates you wish to travel.
And my 2 cents on Air NZ vs. Air Canada....If you book Air Can from Canada they can get you to auckland on an air canada ticket but Air NZ plane. However they can't book you on ward to another NZ town like Napier for instance as that is a domestic NZ flight. (same happens going from NZ to Canada, I can't get air NZ to book me a flight from Vancouver to Penticton) so you end up with 2 separate tickets, having to collect luggage and checkin again, and domestic baggage rules are different than international so if you are not careful you could get hit with excess baggage fees.
Its entirely up to the discretion of the check in person whether they will check your bags through to your final destination if you are on two separate tickets, and I find Air NZ staff much nicer about this than Air Canada, so I now fly Air NZ. Plus they are much better at giving out upgrades to their Airpoints customers, I find Air Canada have forgotten the meaning of the word service.
Of course you could book it all through a travel agent and they can put it on one ticket for you, but the really best deals are on the internet. My wife got a flight Auckland to Vanc direct $1499.
So that was really 4 cents worth.
It was great to see the Ebbtide boys down here, good games, good fun.
Alec Hawke
We go with Air Canada because of what Alec said about connecting flights. Victoria to Vancouver isn't an option with Air NZ and we prefer to fly from Victoria.
If you go on to the Air New Zealand website www.airnewzealand.ca you can sign up to receive special offers and seat sales by email.
Even if the fares show from Vancouver you can usually do a connection right from Victoria. If you can't online, check with Pacesetter Travel. They should be able to match the fare.
Bye the way, if Air NZ have the special fare, it is always matched by Qantas, and vice versa.
Air NZ does allow you to get Aeroplan (Air Canada) points but sometimes points cannot be accrued on special fares.
Post a Comment