Queenstown - Which Side of Plane for Best Views?

[Catweazle]

I'm heading to ZQN tomorrow morning on ol' JQ. Which side of the plane generally has the best views for landing (A320 I think)?

Also, departing next week on AirNZ to WLG - same side of the plane for takeoff, for best views of the mountains?

Seems like the snow has come relatively early this year, so should be in for some fun!

 

[burmans]

I'm heading to ZQN tomorrow morning on ol' JQ. Which side of the plane generally has the best views for landing (A320 I think)?

Also, departing next week on AirNZ to WLG - same side of the plane for takeoff, for best views of the mountains?

Seems like the snow has come relatively early this year, so should be in for some fun!

I'm my opinion the rights is the best travelling into ZQN, you can see Wanaka, the Alps etc and for a fan of Cardrona like me you may even be able to see people skiing.

That would then be the left on the way to WLG.

 

[Catweazle]

Thanks, have selected 8F then.
BTW, is there much difference between being slogged for commission at MEL when purchasing NZD$$ or should I sell my Aussie dollars once at ZQN for NZD$?

 

[get me outta here]

On the right side for SYD - CHC too would you advise?

 

[Mattg]

Thanks, have selected 8F then.
BTW, is there much difference between being slogged for commission at MEL when purchasing NZD$$ or should I sell my Aussie dollars once at ZQN for NZD$?

Do NOT use the Travelex at MEL unless you absolutely have to - its such a rip-off! If you can, try to change money before you go (in the city or at a bank, but not at the airport). If you can't do this, you should be able to change money once you get to NZ (but I would recommend that you have at least enough for a taxi from the airport before you arrive)

 

[Catweazle]

Hmm, bummer! I'll be going straight to the airport tomorrow and can't get to a booth elsewhere in the city. Serves me right for forgetting about it and leaving it till the last minute.

Will it make much difference exchanging at ZQN airport, rather than at MEL?

 

[Mattg]

Hmm, bummer! I'll be going straight to the airport tomorrow and can't get to a booth elsewhere in the city. Serves me right for forgetting about it and leaving it till the last minute.

Will it make much difference exchanging at ZQN airport, rather than at MEL?

Not sure if it makes a difference, but then again, I don't think the exchange at ZQN could possibly be any more exorbitant than the travellex at MEL. If you have enough NZD or can pay by card to get to the city, I would be waiting until I found a bank or similar in Queenstown, away from the airport!

Just to put it into perspective, I recently travelled to AKL, and only wanted to change around $300 as I was only going for a couple of days. At the airport I would have got back $285 (the rate was so pathetic I refused to give the Travellex my business) but at a regular bank in AKL I got back $345! Imagine if you were changing a larger amount of money!

 

[Kiwi]

I travel to NZ and to Queenstown at least every year. I always select a right window seat for the views. Have never been disappointed and have seen Mount Cook a few times doing this.

 

[Kiwi]

I always avoid changing money at airports. Such a rip off!

 

[burmans]

I travel to NZ and to Queenstown at least every year. I always select a right window seat for the views. Have never been disappointed and have seen Mount Cook a few times doing this.

Can only agree, normally an aisle person myself, but those view on that flight into ZQN are just amazing at times.

 

[Catweazle]

If only I'd done it sooner! Maybe grabbed a kiwi off an early morning flight and traded our dollars! Founda great place last time I went OS with a good exchange rate, but left it too late this time... C'est la vie!