Which is your preferred airline across the Tasman? [of QF, NZ or VA]

[Mattg]

The trans-Tasman market has had a bit of a shake-up lately, with Virgin/Air NZ splitting up and Emirates withdrawing from most of their trans-Tasman routes earlier in the year. So I was wondering, which is now your preferred airline to New Zealand?

I've been regularly flying across the Tasman for the past several years and have tried each airline at least once. But I've mostly flown Qantas as I found the service to be good (and meals, drinks etc. are all included).

I never really used to consider Virgin Australia but they seem to have picked up their act lately. They now give a hot meal and baggage allowance to every passenger and their fares have been really competitive lately (not to mention the double status credits promo). Lounge access is still a bit of a mess at some airports (with the loss of Air NZ lounges) and their exclusive use of Boeing 737s is a bit of a downer though.

I like Air NZ's lounges, and also the fact they use Boeing 787s/777s on flights to/from AKL. But I don't like their low-cost service model.

I can't fault the cabin crew on Qantas, Virgin or Air New Zealand which are all excellent.

EK is also great if flying SYD-CHC, and SQ is good for MEL-WLG, but they're of limited use if my destination is Auckland.

Anyway, those are my thoughts. Which is YOUR airline of choice to New Zealand, and why?

 

[snabbu]

Generally I do SYD-AKL vv so since EK has dropped this route it's QF only. Not interested in wifi on planes and I enjoy my time in the FL so a no brainer for me.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

A wifi enabled aircraft is not a factor in my decision making process. I have more than enough podcasts to listen to.

SYD F and MEL F are always the plus points for me. Travelling purely for leisure affords me flexibility with dates and buying the corresponding cheaper fares.

 

[kermatu]

Taking advantage of the F lounges in SYD and MEL is certainly a factor and reason to fly QF or associates. Good thing is you are not penalised in terms of price for one-way bookings or multi-city bookings. So easy to, for example as I've done, Perth to NZ (via SYD/MEL) on QF then return WLG-PER on SQ and VA.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

The 'lounge factor' would be interesting if the oft vaunted proposal of AU-NZ flights operating from domestic terminals becomes reality. Mind you I've been in IT thirty years and someone told me way back then I'd be out of a job in three years because code generators will replace all programmers.

 

[serfty]

The 'lounge factor' would be interesting if the oft vaunted proposal of AU-NZ flights operating from domestic terminals becomes reality.

Won't happen unless the Gov't can work out a way to justify the $60 departure tax on a 'domestic' service and the airports can figure a way to run duty free from domestic terminals without reducing profits.

 

[amaroo]

F lounge / QF combo gets my coin...

 

[Mikana]

NZ TT is now on my no fly list. Fully flexible revenue J ticket MEL-AKL (over AUD$2,500). About 2/3 of the 787 J cabin load on inbound were upgrades. Flight attendant gets to me and tells me no choice of appetizer or main course left (I'm in 2A) even though she's taken my order for lunch before departure. I'm pescatarian and can't eat pig meat, so had to go hungry. Gave the flight manager a polite little lecture. "I know where you're coming from," she said. Ugh. I doubt it. The NZ J seat is comfortable but everybody staring at each other or each other's feet, makes me anxious. QF A330 J is super good hard product, soft is often iffy. Lounge at MEL, total meh. The 737 J cabin is just plain nasty. What to do? Skip New Zealand.

 

[qhere]

I flew last week WEL-MEL on Singapore Airlines (before switching back to Virgin for the PER leg) last week.

You can't fault Singapore Airlines with excellent economy leg room, polite staff and REAL food (served on a tray) and not a cardboard box thrown at you in which you are informed is "the chicken something or the beef something". REAL metal cutlery too on Singapore Airlines - not those disposable, wasteful plastic things where the knife buckles when you show it a steamed vegetable. Singapore remember to pack a salt and pepper too. Ah, cheese and crackers, drink, coffee etc. etc. etc. Oh, and Duty Free to purchase.

 

[Berlin]

I really have only flown EK or QF to NZ recently (oh, and LATAM twice to Auckland) but might have to go more often for work reasons soon... Two questions some of you here might be able to answer (I'm only interested in J, anything above 1 hour in Y is torture in my eyes):

• How's food/drinks like on NZ?
• And the LATAM flights have been lovely in the past but the rather lame "snack" out of Sydney has been an issue. I've noticed that lately, it's designated as a "Lunch" flight- has anyone flown the route recently and do they now serve a proper meal out of Sydney?

 

[kermatu]

I really have only flown EK or QF to NZ recently (oh, and LATAM twice to Auckland) but might have to go more often for work reasons soon... Two questions some of you here might be able to answer (I'm only interested in J, anything above 1 hour in Y is torture in my eyes):

• How's food/drinks like on NZ?
• And the LATAM flights have been lovely in the past but the rather lame "snack" out of Sydney has been an issue. I've noticed that lately, it's designated as a "Lunch" flight- has anyone flown the route recently and do they now serve a proper meal out of Sydney?

My most recent flights are over a year ago, and it was still 'snack' service then. That said, they were nice and I have been offered both options (plus the salad) before. And will have eaten in the F lounge before so snack has suited me fine.

According to this looks like it's the same: Hot: Fly LATAM business class Sydney to Auckland for $624 AUD return

 

[Mikana]

Catering in J on Air NZ is very good, not up to their long-haul J menus, but very good, if you can get what you want from the menu. I have noticed a tendency to serve salads, cold appetizers and desserts far too cold, First world troubles. In the end, one does not fly to eat.

I really have only flown EK or QF to NZ recently (oh, and LATAM twice to Auckland) but might have to go more often for work reasons soon... Two questions some of you here might be able to answer (I'm only interested in J, anything above 1 hour in Y is torture in my eyes):

• How's food/drinks like on NZ?
• And the LATAM flights have been lovely in the past but the rather lame "snack" out of Sydney has been an issue. I've noticed that lately, it's designated as a "Lunch" flight- has anyone flown the route recently and do they now serve a proper meal out of Sydney?

 

[joe7238]

Have only ever flown J from PER to ZQN and made sure to choose VA for their a330 across to the east, then awesome Air Nz lounge, then VA across to ZQN. It’s a short trans Tasman flight so business not as lush as a330 but VA staff and service were always fantastic and memorable- really friendly. Food and beverage great- never as good as a330 but that’s another topic. Going to miss the Air NZ lounge for our next trip. Still giving VA a go

 

[Berlin]

According to this looks like it's the same: Hot: Fly LATAM business class Sydney to Auckland for $624 AUD return

That’s a real shame in my eyes as LATAM catering on the ongoing leg to Santiago tends to be rather good. Granted, the Flounge in Sydney partially makes up for it but I’m always hungry in the air nevertheless so would prefer something more substantial

 

[JohnK]

Qantas economy.

Don't think I've ever flown NZ and not keen on VA lack of service across the ditch.

 

[AIRwin]

Don't think I've ever flown NZ and not keen on VA lack of service across the ditch.

All VA flights between Australia and New Zealand now include a meal, 1 drink, up to 23kg checked baggage, and access to inflight WiFi...

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Won't happen unless...the airports can figure a way to run duty free from domestic terminals without reducing profits.

Considering that other countries can run a duty free store from their "domestic" terminals (LAX and quite a few other US airports have small duty free "stores") I'm sure it's do-able...just won't be to the extent that we're used to from SYD/MEL/BNE/AKL etc.

 

[serfty]

Considering that other countries can run a duty free store from their "domestic" terminals (LAX and quite a few other US airports have small duty free "stores") I'm sure it's do-able...just won't be to the extent that we're used to from SYD/MEL/BNE/AKL etc.

No doubt; but would it be cost effective? (Especially since DF ex NZ is far more competitive then ex OZ.)

 

[coco50]

The trans-Tasman market has had a bit of a shake-up lately, with Virgin/Air NZ splitting up and Emirates withdrawing from most of their trans-Tasman routes earlier in the year. So I was wondering, which is now your preferred airline to New Zealand?

I've been regularly flying across the Tasman for the past several years and have tried each airline at least once. But I've mostly flown Qantas as I found the service to be good (and meals, drinks etc. are all included).

I never really used to consider Virgin Australia but they seem to have picked up their act lately. They now give a hot meal and baggage allowance to every passenger and their fares have been really competitive lately (not to mention the double status credits promo). Lounge access is still a bit of a mess at some airports (with the loss of Air NZ lounges) and their exclusive use of Boeing 737s is a bit of a downer though.

I like Air NZ's lounges, and also the fact they use Boeing 787s/777s on flights to/from AKL. But I don't like their low-cost service model.

I can't fault the cabin crew on Qantas, Virgin or Air New Zealand which are all excellent.

EK is also great if flying SYD-CHC, and SQ is good for MEL-WLG, but they're of limited use if my destination is Auckland.

Anyway, those are my thoughts. Which is YOUR airline of choice to New Zealand, and why?

My airline of choice to NZ is JQ. Living in Ballina it is only a short drive to OOL where we have relatives who can look after our vehicle. There are flights from OOL to AKL for about $A470 pp return. There are also direct flights from OOL to ZQN and WLG is accessible via AKL. There is a nice Qantas Club at OOL and the transit through immigration both ways is swift. If I wanted to fly J class I would fly JQ from BNK to SYD and then fly QF from there.

 

[Mattg]

My airline of choice to NZ is JQ. Living in Ballina it is only a short drive to OOL where we have relatives who can look after our vehicle. There are flights from OOL to AKL for about $A470 pp return. There are also direct flights from OOL to ZQN and WLG is accessible via AKL. There is a nice Qantas Club at OOL and the transit through immigration both ways is swift. If I wanted to fly J class I would fly JQ from BNK to SYD and then fly QF from there.

I find it interesting that you prefer JQ over NZ on the OOL-AKL route. Would it make a difference if you didn't have lounge access flying JQ?

FWIW, I can currently see Air New Zealand fares on this route for as low as $317 return. And Air Asia X is even cheaper, but that is (arguably) even more of a low-cost carrier than JQ.

 

[stm1sydney]

[QUOTE="

• How's food/drinks like on NZ?

[/QUOTE]

VA has the best food in J trans-Tasman.