Travelling to Auckland Feb 2015

[Roga]

Hi guys,

New to the forum and was hoping for some advice. Basically I'll be travelling to Auckland late February to go to a Cricket World Cup game. Game is on Saturday Feb 28 2015 and I plan on making this a shortish trip of around 4-5 days.

I will be departing from Sydney and plan to leave either Thursday or Friday and depart Auckland Monday or Tuesday. Have had a look around on various flight comparison sites and I am willing to pay to travel in business in either leg or both legs. Normally a $250-$300 SYD to AKL would be a fairly good deal on economy return. I've had a look on Skyscanner and found a LAN flight leaving on Fri and returning Tues for $750 in business class return. I haven't travelling to NZ before so I am wondering if that is a fairly good price or I should wait later in the year for a better deal? Just on first look it looks like a good price for Business return. Thoughts?

Cheers.

 

[tuapekastar]

Welcome to AFF!

To the best of my knowledge you will not get a business class fare anywhere near as cheap as that on competitors, and it is a noted 'good' price.

A quick check of QF, EK, and NZ for similar dates returns prices more than double LA's price. As far as I have heard the LA flights are quite OK - though lunch outbound is said to a bit ratty - sandwiches or similar, and watch out for the dreadfully timed OMG o'clock return flight from AKL (scheduled to leave around 0600). I have also heard this flight (AKL-SYD) can be significantly delayed or even cancelled - if cancelled you should get booked onto QF or likewise.

I have booked a SYD-AKL-SYD flight in J (business) on LA for myself for May (cost ~AUD770) so will be able to tell you from personal experience what it is like. In summary, I reckon go for it, I doubt it will get cheaper. But I'm sure someone with actual experience of the flights will chip in.

PS. Not sure as a new member if you are familiar with airline codes: QF = Qantas, EK = Emirates, NZ = Air New Zealand, LA = LAN.

 

[Grooba]

Hi guys,

New to the forum and was hoping for some advice. Basically I'll be travelling to Auckland late February to go to a Cricket World Cup game. Game is on Saturday Feb 28 2015 and I plan on making this a shortish trip of around 4-5 days.

I will be departing from Sydney and plan to leave either Thursday or Friday and depart Auckland Monday or Tuesday. Have had a look around on various flight comparison sites and I am willing to pay to travel in business in either leg or both legs. Normally a $250-$300 SYD to AKL would be a fairly good deal on economy return. I've had a look on Skyscanner and found a LAN flight leaving on Fri and returning Tues for $750 in business class return. I haven't travelling to NZ before so I am wondering if that is a fairly good price or I should wait later in the year for a better deal? Just on first look it looks like a good price for Business return. Thoughts?

Cheers.

Welcome to AFF.

Indeed the LA flights across the ditch in J are at an unbeatable price. The SYD-AKL is at a reasonable hour but as noted above the AKL-SYD is ghastly at a 0600ish departure. If you can deal with that, book fast and book now

 

[Roga]

Thanks for the replies guys, extremely helpful!

I guess my main concern was the price. I might just wait a little bit more but as mentioned when I did see that price I thought it was a pretty good deal.

I'm not fussed about departure times and if it were to be delayed/cancelled which I have read happens more often than not it doesn't bother me. As a hypothetical if it were to be delayed/cancelled, would I get a comparable seat on the replacement flight? Probably won't happen but just want to know.

One last question! Will I get access to the business lounges in SYD and AKL?

 

[markis10]

One last question! Will I get access to the business lounges in SYD and AKL?

Yes, travelling as a J passenger on a One World operated and marketed flight allows you to access any OneWorld lounge, QF being the obvious one.

 

[kelvedon]

would I get a comparable seat on the replacement flight?

Yes, it would be a business class seat on the replacement flight.

 

[knasty]

The price and seat are great. I found the lunch almost inedible so I suggest filling up in the lounge.

 

[scwappy]

EK has the best J class, at least from AKL to SYD being a perfect time (1845 or so) to enjoy the lounge and EK bar on the 380. They have reasonable specials that come up from time to time.

 

[Roga]

EK has the best J class, at least from AKL to SYD being a perfect time (1845 or so) to enjoy the lounge and EK bar on the 380. They have reasonable specials that come up from time to time.

Thanks mate, I assume these "specials" would still be quite pricey?

 

[Sprucegoose]

Yes, it would be a business class seat on the replacement flight.

Yes that's the upside with LAN. Last time I flew it didn't make it so it was ANZ and QF, what a bonus and SC back in place !! The highlight of the trip was not flying LAN!!!

 

[Roga]

Qantas specials on now, about $400 SYD-AKL return.

Worth it to spend that extra $350 on LAN?

- Business seat
- More QFF points?
- Business lounge access

Am I missing anything else?

 

[ketsuzei]

Qantas specials on now, about $400 SYD-AKL return.

Worth it to spend that extra $350 on LAN?

- Business seat
- More QFF points?
- Business lounge access

Am I missing anything else?

Whether it's worth it all comes down to what you value. If you're still "willing to pay to travel in business in either leg or both legs", and the $750 LAN fare is still available, I think you'll struggle to find much better.

 

[Grooba]

Qantas specials on now, about $400 SYD-AKL return.

Worth it to spend that extra $350 on LAN?

- Business seat
- More QFF points?
- Business lounge access

Am I missing anything else?

Yep. Sitting in an A343 compared to the B738.

 

[Roga]

EK have a few specials on now, if you had a choice what would you choose?

LA Business return $750

EK Business SYD-AKL, EK Economy AKL-SYD $815
Or Vice Versa same price

Obviously the A380 Business class is better than LA Business?
And which EK lounge is better - SYD or AKL?

 

[markis10]

Obviously the A380 Business class is better than LA Business?
And which EK lounge is better - SYD or AKL?

Lounge is not an issue since you can access both.

 

[Roga]

Lounge is not an issue since you can access both.

Not if I book one leg Business and the other Econ.

 

[markis10]

Not if I book one leg Business and the other Econ.

If you have Qantas Club or elite frequent flyer my point stands. If you have no membership it doesnt matter very much, EK lounges are pretty much the same worldwide, each differing only by their local food selection on the buffet.

 

[eric2011]

Correct me if I'm wrong but the EK AKL lounge wouldn't be open for the LA flight and the QF lists it's opening time as 04.40 so not too much time to be spent in a lounge

 

[scwappy]

EK have a few specials on now, if you had a choice what would you choose?

LA Business return $750

EK Business SYD-AKL, EK Economy AKL-SYD $815
Or Vice Versa same price

Obviously the A380 Business class is better than LA Business?
And which EK lounge is better - SYD or AKL?

If you enjoy a drink or two than EK AKL- SYD is much better for J than SYD-AKL, unless you like to start really early.

 

[macrop]

If you're going to split travel classes, my golden rule is always fly the higher class on the way back.

Personally I've done (as many here have done as well) EK, QF and LA across the ditch in J and the EK product is far superior and worth a try just once. The timings coming back to Oz are perfect for EK- late arvo/early evening. You get a great dinner and the bar is open at the back.
So....
QF = Domestic grade J with great Kiwi crew. Economy is in a 737 and hated by many if you don't get the bulkhead or exits rows. The crew make the most of what they have. The flight is short so the plane is still fine but the bigger birds are more comfortable.
LA = Older style large J seat (with very good IFE) and plenty of room with a nice south american crew though with not so great food. Economy seat layout is the best of the three in my opinion being an A340. 737 and A380 are cramped in economy.
EK = Modern and awesome A380 mini suite in J with one of the best IFE systems around. Stunning European crew. Sensational food and the famous bar setup at the back of the plane. Better to get off a plane after a few drinks in your home country than in another country.