Advice on flying to New Zealand

Hello there

I need to make a trip to New Zealand next year, and as such, I am looking for recommendations on who to fly with, and if anyone has done this route before? I will either fly premium economy or business class depending how reasonable the fare is.

I would fly virgin but I think I am correct in stating this isn't a current Virgin route?

Many Thanks

There are no direct VS flight from the UK to NZ.

An option if you specifically wanted to fly using VS Metal would be to fly LHR/HKG/SYD then V Australia to NZ.

NZ has a really good reputation so consider flying with them.

There are some trip reports for NZ flights on here if you search for them.

Word of caution, it's a blooooooming long way in one hit, regardless of class of travel!

[Decker]

A few years ago one of my clients in AKL used to fly me out to work Mon-Fri then fly me back (Leave Sat, arrive Mon morning, work to Friday evening, fly back). Great fun and I can whole-heartedly recommend Air New Zealand with the LAX routing.

[Scrooge]

From reading the reviews on here and other sites NZ via LAX or HKG in J or W really is the way to go.

Hi, def a good call to fly Air NZ. good planes and food.
you can fly west on both legs to reduce the jet-lag. out via LAX home via HK.
Even flown them to LA when no VS service available. y)

Derek

As well as Air NZ, personally I would also consider Cathay Pacific via HKG. This is because for such a long trip, I would think about miles and tier points (especially if you might be in business class). On Cathay in J you can earn a lot of BA tier points. Air NZ in J will earn you some VS tier points, but the rate is much less generous.

I probably wouldn't fly on VS via Sydney -- I've done LHR-SYD in one go and the thought of flying to AKL after that is just too much!

Well I was considering doing it in one shot, but maybe I shouldnt after the feedback given.
Air NZ does seem to get great feedback, but maybe Singapore airwys could be an option aswell? Although they have no premium economy so no real in-between choices with them.

Not sure how far they've got with the roll out since April 2011, but if you haven't seen the new NZ PE offering you might want to have a look at this. Will not be complete until 2012 though.

Regards
R3dV

[Scrooge]

It's is on the 77W's that do the NZ 1-2 route, thought they are taking out a row to give me leg room, no idea how long that will take.

If you want lots of VS TPs and miles try SIA via yup Singapore! You can get the A380 to Singapore too although its a triple-7 from there to Auckland.

Flying time is not unreasonable compared to others and SIA service still beats all.

I personally loathe the CX bizclass, ANZ would be my second choice over any three leg trip such as VS to SYD and then on to AUK.