Flight to NZ

A question about : Flight to NZ

Hey all

I am planning on going to NZ Christmas time to stay with a friend. I know this is a more expensive time of year to go than normal but I'm ok with that. I have been looking at different flights and airlines and would like the lovely MSEr's to give me some help/advice. I've been looking at websites like kayak and expedia so far.

I'm slightly flexible with dates of travel. I want to go for around 16-18 days. Departing earlist date 16th Dec and returning latest date Jan 6th. I will be a lone female traveller, aged 27.

Cheapest flight I've found is with Royal Brunei Air for around Ј1150 but the return leg has a 10 hour daytime stopover at Bandar Seri Begawan. Next cheapest is Ј1270 with Emirates, 27hr flight out 30hrs return, change planes at Dubai, short 2 hour-ish wait.

After these to options the flight prices jump up to Ј1570 with Quantas for 28-30hr flights with short 2hr wait to change flights at Sydney/Singapore.

Or even a non stop flight with AirNZ for Ј1590.

I'm so confused by the options! I know that the cheapest isn't neccessarily the best option. I'm staying with a friend there so only need to pay for the flight. I like flying so would have no probs with a non stop option. However the longest I've ever done on a plane before is 8hours. I am an experienced-ish traveller, travelled around US on my own last summer.

So my questions are:

- Can any MSEr's find me a better flight option?
- Should I consider a proper 2/3 day stopover on one leg? I don't really want to pay extra for flight to incorporate this but if one was found with this included then that could be good.
- Has anyone got any advise/comments on the non stop option? Would it be better for health/sanity to have stops?
- Which flight seems to be the best option?
- Any airlines to avoid?

I'm very grateful for any help

Thanks

x

Best answers:

• Avoid Royal Brunei, check www.airlinequality.com for reviews.
  Consider a stopover with a flight+Hotel deal from www.trailfinders.com or www.travelmood.com
  If you can change your trip and leave in the evening on the 24th Dec or 25th Dec you will save ЈЈs.
  Good places for stopovers are Singapore, Bangkok or Hong Kong and consider Singapore Airlines, Thai airways and Cathay Pacific.
• I've been to New Zealand a couple of times and personally would not fly non-stop. Before I went I'd been on plenty of 10 to 12 hour flights, enough to know I couldn't spend 26 hours on a plane! If you are going to have a longish stop-over at an airport see what the facilities are like, could you kill time and freshen up? Changi in Singapore has a free cinema and swimming pool, shower facilities and is quite unlike other airports I've been to, very calm and organised. Otherwise I second richardw and suggest a stopover package on at least on one leg of your journey. I've flown with both Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand and would recommend both. Air NZ has the longest leg room but both have good entertainment and in-flight service.
  Both times I booked my flights with Trailfinders and was happy with the price, they do not book online, you'll have to call them. They can also do stop-over deals too. Singapore Airlines do not charge you to break your journey in Singapore and also offer stop-over hotel deals. I've been there twice and would recommend it as a good stop-over for a lone woman. I was with my husband but would have felt fine alone, it's a very safe, clean city and easy to get around on public transport.
  Enjoy your trip, New Zealand is a beautiful country.
• Hi
  If you book via netflights.com you can get the flights with Royal Brunei flying from Heathrow to Auckland for 1,017 pounds return. That's flying out on 16th December and returning on 5 or 6th January 2010. This would involve the 10 hour stop over either on the way out or return journey however.
• I have just booked our NZ Christmas flights via Will Race at Travelbag.
  On Qantas website our quote was Ј5200 (3 adults, 1 child) which was the cheapest I could find (other than Cathay Pacific...).
  However, Will managed, for the same price, to get us Heathrow to Singapore (2 day stop), Singapore to Sydney (4 day stop), Sydney to Wellington (20 day stop) then Wellington to Hong Kong (2 day stop) for the same price!!
  This is the first time we've flown in 20 years and never booked online before. I can honestly say that Will has been excellent and very patient and we'd certainly recommend Travelbag!!
  hth
• As has been said above, I also wouldn't recommend flying to NZ non-stop. It's not fun and the return leg will give you the worst bout of jet lag you can imagine. You need ground time to stretch your legs and breathe real air.
  I'm a big fan of Air New Zealand so would recommend that you call them to see what they can offer you and measure that against what you have seen online.
  When it comes to long haul and busy times of the year, nothing really beats talking to the airlines' agents because they can see what the cheapest options would be for you in a way that you can't really judge online.
  Bare in mind that airlines, as a rule, don't offer commission to agents so all a third party agent can do is compare the fares with different airlines. You already have that basic information so now it's the time to call the airlines direct because they can tell you in depth which combination of flights would offer you the best deal.
  Air New Zealand are members of Star Alliance so they shouldn't just restrict you to their fleet.
  Alternatively, you could find the cheapest deal possible to L.A. or San Fran and combine this with a cheap Hawaiian Airlines ticket to Honolulu, and a connection to N.Z. Just looking at flights for next month I can see return tickets from LAX to Honolulu for around $239.
  https://www.hawaiianair.com/Pages/Index.aspx
• Thanks all. I'm going to spend the next few days ringing round to get the best deal.
  Sadly Singapore airlines are coming up a bit too expensive at over Ј1600.
  Couple more questions if I may:
  - Does anyone have any good/bad experiences with Emirates? - My friend in NZ recommends them but she has only flown max 8hours with them.
  - Would I have any problems as a lone young female traveller having a wait in a Muslim country (please excuse my ignorance)?
  - Does it make any difference price/jet lag/length of journey wise which way around the I fly? e.g. London-LA-NZ or London-Dubai-NZ
  Thanks again
  x
• Some emirates aircraft have slightly narrower seats about an inch smaller than other standard seats.
  Dubai direct to Sydney or Melbourne can be long at nearly 15 Hours
  https://www.emirates.com/uk/english/d...route_map.aspx
• I've flown to NZ via Royal Brunei. I had no problems with it but wouldn't recommend flying non stop at all. The flight goes stops at dubai, brunei & sometimes brisbane before arriving in Auckland! Its a real pain if you haven't got the time to stop over but great if you want to visit alot of places on the way and got the time which I don't think you do.
  I would recommend Emirates as your best option if it is the 2nd cheapest. Normal their inflight entertainment & food are excellent, which you'll want for a 24+ flight and it is usually the large aircraft to NZ. Leg room not bad on emirates. They are starting to fly the Airbus A380 to NZ soon!
  I think Air NZ has the best leg room but often most expensive.
  I would recommend a site called kiwimoneysavers.com for any planning you may want to make about your trip. They have a visitors to new zealand section. I have used them on my last trip and found them quite helpful for cheaper flights, car rental etc.
  Hope it helps :-)
• Doesn't matter which way you fly around but apparently better to fly west ie london to LA, LA to Auckland to reduce jetlag, but either way you're going to get it and don't think it makes that much difference
  No problems for women at Dubai airport very modern and impressive.
  Enjoy your holiday!
• Hi, I'm 27 and female too. I booked my flights with Trailfinders and they found me the best price. I would recommend them.
  I flew to Auckland direct (well with a refuel in LA) a few Christmas's ago. I really wouldn't recommend it. I have flown on lots of 12 hour plus journeys (including Sydney)and thought that it would prepare me. No way! I would never do it again. Especially through America. The hassle was crazy. We had to fill out customs forms, immigration forms etc for an hour transit in the gate lounge. To put it in perspective i left my house at 4AM on the Thursday and arrived in Auckland at 1PM on Saturday!
  I would advise going through Asia. As the transit process is much quicker and easier, plus i think its a slightly shorter flight time.
  I flew Air New Zealand and they are a good airline in terms of food, legroom etc but no more so than other well know airlines.
  I flew Royal Brunei last year and they are an OK airline. No alcohol but i don't drink on flights anyway! Bander Seri Bagawan is a small airport and if this is the option you choose i would advise getting a transit tour around the city which the airline will offer or getting a hotel room to relax in.
  Don't worry about it being a Muslim country as long as you are a respectful you will be fine. (for example not showing lots of flesh etc) I always carry a pashmina with me to cover my arms up as it makes me feel better standing in the smoking rooms full of men!
  Have a fab trip and try to book your flight soon as they get booked up really early. When i flew I booked in March and my flight dates were 15th December until 5th January.
  Also I would recommend joining the airlines frequent flyer programe. (even though it s only 2 flights) I found that as a single traveler and a member they put me in better seats (emergency exit row) I joined the Singapore airlines (part of star alliance) and when i flew to Auckland my seats were better. (although that is just my opinion!)
  Hope that helps!
• Wow thanks ljbnotts - lots of good info in your post.
  At the moment I think Emirates are looking as the best option - only a short 2-3hr stop in Dubai between flights.
  But I'm waiting for some companies to come back to me with quotes. I've found out that through my employer I get 10% off flights with certain airlines but not sure which ones yet! I have fired off an email to find out.
  If no luck there then I'm gonna try book through Quidco to get 1-2% cashback depending on website, and also use my Tesco CC to pay so I get some Clubcard points!
  I have already saved up the money for the flight so just need to save my spending money now.
  I'll post back when I've booked.
  Thanks again all
  x
  x
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