looking for flights to New Zealand around next Easter

VixxAnn

eveyk wrote:

i played the travel companies off each other!! the flights were booked with southall travel via teletext but over the phone. hope this helps

I saw southall travel on teletext web site actually and was thinking of giving them I ring - will do this tomorrow now I've read your message. What exactly do you mean that you played the companies off each other? Did you do this with Southalls to get your final price?

alison74

Have just looked at this thread........ you seem to have in under control.

But I would just like to say that I agree with richardw that a week in Auckland is FAR too long and 2 days in Christchurch is more than enough.

When you actually book your flight and come to planning stage check out www.tripadvisor.com www.virutaltourist.com and

http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/ for all the info you could possibly need on New Zealand.

I'd also just like to add that I would have LOVED it if my parents had taken me out of school for week to go to NZ I only got to visit my granny in Dundee !!

Tried STA travel ? Flight centre ? I did my trip to NZ with flight centre who were most competitive at the time.

Good luck !! Feel free to PM me any questions about NZ as I could talk about my trip there for HOURS it was so good and totally lived up to my expectations.

swizzle_2

What is the earliest date that you can leave the Uk?

Just seen that Singapore Air have a deal on but you have to leave on or before 17th March. If you fly out of Manchester on this date it`s £750.90 inc taxes, for an adult, prices usually go on date of outward travel

Any good?

VixxAnn

(can't leave before 24th March earliest)

update

ok - best offer today from Trailfinders (followed closely by similar flights from Dial a Flight but couple of hundred quid more)

flying with British Airways / Quantas..
out - Manchester - London - Sydney (with a refuel in Bangkok) - Auckland
return - Auckland - Sydney - refuel and possible stopover possibility in Singapore - London - Manchester

£717 adults £599 kids inc. taxes can include a stopover in Singapore on way back for no extra charge (would have to pay for hotel) don't fancy stopping in Bangkok other than to stretch legs for a while. But think a day in singapore on way home would be nice to look forward to.

Anyone any thoughts / comments - or experience with Trailfinders or BA/Quantas? (was told they were good quality flights with seat back TVs etc)

I know its more flights than I was originally intending (ie. fly from Manc. to Heathrow as well) but the price is good and I think we can cope!!;)

swizzle_2

That sounds good- it that for Easter dates?

I have flown BA/Quantas but it was 10 years ago and not on that route.

All I can say is at the time they were not as good as Singapore- but it`s all down to price and they will be alot better than Koeroen.

There websites will be able to tell you what inflight entertainment you will get.

Have you looked at https://www.airlinequality.com they give flight reviews etc.

Just looked on BA website, they are coming up with cheap deals, have you put your flight details in there? Might get it cheaper booking direct.

Good luck

If times and dates fit I would think it`s a good deal.

Good luck

Barcode

I've just returned from Sydney with Qantas and have no complaints. We went via Singapore, but this was literally a case of getting off the plane, then getting back on it an hour later. If you have children, I would really advise stopping for a night or two at this point, as it is a long-haul flight from NZ and the last thing you will feel like doing is getting back on the plane.

Entertainment: We had 30 odd up-to-date movies to choose from, and it was on demand. Just touched the PTV and chose what we want. Between Singapore and London, I managed to watch Brokeback Mountain, The Sentinel and March of the Penguins. Also lots of tv programmes like The Simpsons and CSI. Then there are about 15 radio channels, lots of games. Although not on planes have the entertainment on demand. A bit of a hit and miss affair.

We were in business, in an exit row, on the upper deck. I did venture downstairs to take a look at the economy class and it looked fine. Though I do not know how I would survive such a long flight all the way at the back. If you fly BA/Qantas you will be on a 747-400.

Very friendly flight-attendants. Informative pilots on all legs, which might help fearful flyers. If you are a fearful flyer, I suggest taking something. Terrible, terrible turbulence flying over the Indian Monsoon. This occurred in the middle of the night and carried on for about three hours over the Bay of Bengal. Definitely a few stomach-churning drops, lightning all over the place. Perfectly safe, but be forewarned that it is not a pleasant experience, but normal when flying in the tropics.

Oh, all flights were on time. We did the midday flight from Heathrow. Gets dark about 5 hours into the flight, sleep until Singapore. Land at about 9 am local time. Coming back is almost all in darkness. Don't know how easy it might be to get children to sleep or rest for such a long flight. We left Singapore at midnight on Thursday, arrived at Heathrow for 6:30 am Friday. Not feeling too jet-lagged today.

I would steer clear of Korean. Not because of safety anymore, but because the product is sub-standard compared to what else you can get for a similar price. Emirates I have heard positive things about.

rosegarden

We've booked through Travelbag before. They were good. If you have a Nectar card you also get points when you book with them.

http://http://www.travelbag.co.uk/#

We've flown with Japan Airlines too (lived in Oz for a few years). JAL gave us a night in a hotel in Tokyo each way.

http://www.jal.com/en/

VixxAnn

swizzle wrote:

That sounds good- it that for Easter dates?

Just looked on BA website, they are coming up with cheap deals, have you put your flight details in there? Might get it cheaper booking direct.

Dates are for 3 weeks with easter weekend in the middle - so not bad prices really!

Checked out the BA website and they are quoting very similar price but without having to stop and change plane in Sydney - which is obviously a bonus. They fly BA to Hong Kong then Cathay Pacific to Auckland. VERY INTERESTED :T Any one any comments..... (& thanks Swizzle!)

Might also speak to Trailfinders again with this info and see what they say

Barcode - thanks for the useful info

richardw

I think the extra cost of the Singapore airlines flights from Manchester will be worth it for the convenience. You are on your way at 10am to Singapore and getting home will be easier, thus reducing the travel tiredness.

VixxAnn

Singapore Airlines is about £800 more than BA/Quantas or BA/Cathay Pacific - appreciate more direct (less plane changes) and very good service - but to save that much money I think we are very interested in the BA options. The savings could pay for our car hire for the whole holiday!

Am waiting for Trailfinders to get back to me - in meanwhile - on BA website its £3370 for five people. But my only problem with booking direct on their website is how do I get a stopover in Hong Kong (for a couple of days) if I ring them to book I don't think I get the online discounts.