looking for flights to New Zealand around next Easter

VixxAnn

Can anyone offer me any tips...

We are a family of five looking to travel to NZ for 3 weeks around next Easter (Plan is to take kids out of school for either the week before or after Easter - which ever works out best with flights etc)

So far, searching on Expedia, Opodo etc I am getting adult fares of £800 upwards with kids at 75% (my 12 yr old is apparently an adult though!)
Is this average cost or can I get cheaper if I look around. Or is there a best time to book - will flights get any cheaper. Its just that every penny I can save on the flight will help pay for us to hire a motorhome when we get there:p

(also a bit confused about stopovers. There's such a choice - San Fransico, LA, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Dubai, Singapore..................................) Is it stay in the airport kind of stopover or do most people stay a night??

Never flown long-haul before:o

saveapenny

try https://www.travelmood.com

richardw

I'd try and get a good deal from Manchester Airport MAN on Emirates, Cathay Pacific or Singapore Airlines through a travel agent and stop for 2 nights outbound and on the return.

VixxAnn

saveapenny - thanks will take a look now

richard - I do intend to get some prices online and then approach some travel agents see what they can do.

Whats best timescale to be booking if we are going next March?

I think on way out I'd just like to get there but on way home (when all depressed because its end of holiday and having to leave:() - then it might be nice to have a stopover somewhere to look forward to. Do most airlines let you book this break in the middle of the two flights?

McDuck

Not sure where you live but you can get some good deals flying from City, involves another stop but it can worth it, esp if you live in London.

VixxAnn

Live in North West but would be prepared to fly from anywhere if price makes it worth it

Travelmood coming back with avg. £826 from London - over £1k from Manchester:eek:

lozkate

We are flying to Australia with Singapore Airlines and are stopping in Singapore for 2 nights on the way. The reason we chose this was to get used to the time difference before we got to Australia. On the way home we have broken the journey with a 10 hour stop in Singapore as you can leave the airport (they provide a tour of the city) but also travelling with children I wanted to break up the flights.

VixxAnn

lozkate - did you get a good price on the flight and how far in advance did you book?

lozkate

We booked the flight 11 months in advance but we are travelling at Christmas so although I was pleased with the price I got (they are now about £400 pp more expensive) they are a lot more during peak periods.

I think you have to find the price that you are willing to pay and then just book it - it would be worse finding out that you couldnt fly at the times that you wanted rather than the price dropping by a few pounds.

Think about the airline as well - you will be with them for about 48 hours - a long time if the service is poor. We flew to Hong Kong with Swiss Air last year and were offered drinks once during the 12 hour flight, the previous year we flew with KLM and they were fantastic with the children. This influenced my decision on who to fly with for this holiday over the price for the flight.

Singapore Airlines also included a free stopover, cheapish hotel deal and discount vouchers for attractions in Singapore.

Hope this helps

Kate

VixxAnn

Thanks Kate - I see what you mean

Does anyone have experience of the airlines that fly to NZ and what kind of service they offer. We do have three kids to entertain so I suppose movies (seat back screens?) etc would help. Plus generally nice and friendly staff.

richardw

http://www.airlinequality.com/Airlines/SQ.htm

http://www.airlinequality.com/Airlines/CX.htm