Jetstar to launch AKL-RAR service

[Mattg]

Jetstar will commence flights between Auckland and the Cook Islands from next March. Launch fares going for $129.

Another blow for a NZ/VA monopoly route, but no doubt great for flyers.

Jetstar to launch Cook Islands service next March | The National Business Review

The Jetstar service will start on March 22, 2016, and run three days a week, departing Auckland on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

 

[samh004]

I read somewhere that the flights weren't timed well for NZ-based travellers, but at the end of the day it is cheap, so you have to make some concessions.

As an aside, a friend was recently telling me how JQNZ still doesn't have a certain system onboard that allows (or rather doesn't allow as the case may be) them to fly through bad weather/clouds... I assume similar to how VA seems to have a major issue whenever it rains at OOL but QF doesn't. If this is the case, wouldn't upgrading their systems be a smarter way to take on the competition, as their reputation can only take a battering for so long. I recall when QF was still operating domestic in NZ and taxi drivers would tell me 'if there's a cloud in the sky, QF wont fly', so they know there was no reason to head to the airport as there'd be no arrivals.

 

[Mattg]

Schedules as follows:

JQ129 AKL 19:40 - RAR 00:40 (+1)
JQ130 RAR 01:40 - AKL 05:15

Flights on A320s.

Timings aren't great, but will allow for connections to/from Australia.

 

[smit0847]

That return leg is hideous!!!

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Great use of fleet utilisation, but certainly not ideal travelling times.

 

[clifford]

My wife goes to RAR at least once a year on NZ (she is lifetime Star Gold). I doubt that she would ever use these JQ flights, but maybe the competition would lower the NZ fares a bit. So must be a good thing.

 

[Mattg]

Sydney to Rarotonga (via Auckland) is getting a run on today's Friday fare frenzy. $249 one-way if booked between 4pm-8pm today.

 

[juddles]

Interesting. I wish to go there from SE Qld, and the AirNZ thing didn't really do it for me. Does this mean I can go from mainland Aust and use the Flounge??

 

[Mattg]

Does this mean I can go from mainland Aust and use the Flounge??

If you have QF Platinum status... absolutely.

 

[Mattg]

I was planning to book a trip to Rarotonga for next April, but turns out the sale only covers 4 May - 19 June next year.

Good luck to anyone else who is able to make those dates work.

 

[pauly7]

Another screw inserted and turned into Air NZ's flabby underbelly

Great wins for NZ consumers of late!

 

[dajop]

That return leg is hideous!!!

Really not much difference to the many red-eyes that take place all around the world. QF and others have been running similar length red-eyes ex PER for years.

 

[docjames]

Good fleet utilisation, and will be viable at the right price.

May be room for both - what is the timing on the NZ flights as they will be able to charge more if the timings are decent.

 

[Mattg]

Good fleet utilisation, and will be viable at the right price.

May be room for both - what is the timing on the NZ flights as they will be able to charge more if the timings are decent.

The NZ flights are a ~9am departure from AKL arriving around 2pm. The return leaves for AKL mid-afternoon.

VA also fly this route. AKL-RAR flight leaves around 4.30pm. The RAR-AKL return leg leaves at 10pm, arriving in AKL around 2am. That's not much better than the JQ timings, actually.