BNE to Tonga (Nukualofa)

[J_seeker]

I'm looking for advice on the best flights from Brisbane to Nuku'alofa and return. For lounge access I would prefer QF/Fiji Air/One World but it seems the timing of flights with Virgin via AKL may be easier to cope with. Can an forum members offer suggestions pls.

 

[Mattg]

I'm looking for advice on the best flights from Brisbane to Nuku'alofa and return. For lounge access I would prefer QF/Fiji Air/One World but it seems the timing of flights with Virgin via AKL may be easier to cope with. Can an forum members offer suggestions pls.

In terms of more convenient/direct options, I think Virgin Australia may be the better choice. You can fly via AKL, and they also have 2 direct flights from Sydney per week (although it is a redeye on the outbound leg unfortunately).

Of Qantas' partners, the only airline flying to Tonga is Fiji Airways. But even then, the connections from BNE are pretty poor. If you want to get lounge access for at least some of the trip, perhaps look at flying QF to AKL, and VA or Air NZ onwards to TBU?

 

[J_seeker]

Thanks Mattg. I'll look at the AKL option with onwards VA or NZ. From my limited experience a lot of Pacific Island flights from Australia are classic red-eyes.

 

[Mattg]

Thanks Mattg. I'll look at the AKL option with onwards VA or NZ. From my limited experience a lot of Pacific Island flights from Australia are classic red-eyes.

I'd probably do the QF to AKL option too, but purely from a points/SC and lounge access perspective as a QF flyer.

I just had a closer look at the VA flights from SYD to TBU and, while not ideal, the timings are actually not as terrible as I first thought. The SYD-TBU flight departs Sydney at 6pm and arrives just after 1am. The return flight is a 7am departure from TBU. I imagine there would be good connections from BNE too with those departure/arrival times.

 

[donovan301]

Air NZ. Only practical method for time of day practibility.
Been a while since have been, but if u want reliable the AirNZ is the way.

If You're flying on to Va'vau be accepting of "unable to land" turn arounds...very common due to local pilots being afraid to touchdown once at destination.
Also goes for Ha'api.
And also when leaving such spots.
If u get into trouble exiting the islands, (esp Va'vau) then best bet is to fly to Fiji direct (more likely to take the route than the Nukualofa route)and connect with an Air NZ out of Nadi, back to Auckland then AU.
Main reason for that is often flight back to Nukualofa are cancelled, often without refund or transfer....or recourse.
(It's the style in the islands of Tonga, hoping they have improved since my last excursion.((took me a week of flights cancelled to Nukualofa before I figured Va'vau to Fiji was more practical)) Insurance company took a lot of talking to eplain multiple cancelled flights without refunds... Might pay to research the current local inter-Island flight service if you are making it to the outer and tastier Islands .

But either way, nice place to have a problem leaving.
;-)

EDIT....POST SCRIPT.... The flight difficulty I mention are related to Island Weather conditions as far as Failure to Land instances in the satellite Islands.