VA AKL-RAR on sale

[NZflygirl]

Cheap flights from Auckland to Rarotonga from NZD 450* | Virgin Australia

I was playing around with google flights and noticed VA had some cheap fares so checked the VA website. Even J is going for nzd899 at lowest but earns 200sc in J return. Take your other half and family pool! Easy VA gold retention. Economy ~ 450 according to the link above.

To be honest I think we paid $400 for economy one way on Air NZ although holiday period so business class for the same price would be awesome. Strata Lounge on Auckland departure and in Raro head across the road after check-in to the islander hotel bar on the ocean front. Much nicer place to wait for your flight.

 

[Mattg]

I flew VA J from AKL to RAR last year for a very good price (although slightly more than the current sale fare) and was happy with the service (and destination). Definitely worth booking if you're in NZ.

 

[NZflygirl]

I booked J for nzd903 return just after my year rolls over. I'm returning on a Tuesday night which is island night at the islander hotel. Stumbled on that last time. Met a lady at the airport and after check-in went across to the hotel. We were given the option of paying ~$55?? for the buffet and the show or paying for limited menu (due to the show) and still being able to see the fantastic dancing. We shared a pizza, had 2 rounds of drinks then back to airport. Absolutely perfect way to finish off Raro and to be honest it's probably the best pre-flight experience in the world.

I've flown economy X to Raro. Timing for flight over is good, return flight is a bit ick, but had row to myself which was much appreciated, was pretty full. Feel sorry for the crew working a turnaround and not staying.

I like Raro enough to make this an annual trip. Not much longer than a flight to Melbourne. And I could do with the sc boost after the NZ break up. The VA earn on cheap fares is tough!

 

[ja1]

I've booked to do this next month - SYD-BNE-AKL-RAR. Just wondering if anyone had tips on lounge access in AKL and RAR for VA ? Because it appears we arrive at some weird hour of the morning in AKL.. had no idea if there was any access at all :-/

Same for return leg - wondering if there's a lounge at the airport in RAR.. (if you want to show up early and just have a quiet place to sit with a drink while waiting for a plane..)

And yes, flight is booked in J

 

[Denali]

Today I booked a couple of J SYD-Christchurch flights via Melb and return via Brisbane and they were cheaper than Y.

 

[NZflygirl]

I've booked to do this next month - SYD-BNE-AKL-RAR. Just wondering if anyone had tips on lounge access in AKL and RAR for VA ? Because it appears we arrive at some weird hour of the morning in AKL.. had no idea if there was any access at all :-/

Same for return leg - wondering if there's a lounge at the airport in RAR.. (if you want to show up early and just have a quiet place to sit with a drink while waiting for a plane..)

And yes, flight is booked in J

Departing Auckland you'll have access to the Strata lounge which is decent.
Departing Rarotonga, there's an Air NZ lounge but I don't think VA has access to this. Otherwise there's the terminal but check-in and head across the road to the Islander hotel for a drink. Walking distance. Don't believe google maps, it says 1.2km but it's definitely not that far! 300m maybe?

I have read the RAR-AKL flight gets in at a weird time. Here's the thread from Flyertalk thread.

 

[ja1]

I have read the RAR-AKL flight gets in at a weird time. Here's the thread from Flyertalk thread.

Thanks! Yes, it definitely gets in at an odd time - 01:30 !

And when I've looked up Strata opening hours, they run from 5am - 1am , which implies the gap when they close is in fact the time I'll be sitting in AKL..

Sadly VA no longer has a partnership with AirNZ and as such no more access to Koru lounges.

That thread was excellent and sadly confirmed what I feared - there's a ~4 hour layover in AKL with no lounge or in fact anything..

You could leave the terminal - but other than a Mcdonalds (24/7) and a golf driving range (24/7), nothing is open and you can't get back in until security opens at 4:30 (noting the flight leaves at 06:00!)

It's a first world problem and not likely to be one I'll ever usually run into (as I can't imagine being in multiple J segments in the future - has never happened before but.. it seems odd the airline makes no provision for its J pax for transit..