Have to go to New Zealand - Cheap Flights???
Discussion
Right;
Mrs Curns best mate is getting married in NZ in March 09.
Mrs Curn says that we are going for three weeks - no choice.
I don't want to go beacuse I am a miserable old sod, am stuck in my ways and would far rather smoke the Range Rover down to Courcheval with the boys and ski and drink for 10 days. (Like the last few years
) But I digress.
Anyway. Cheap Business Class flights.
Singapore Air, is £3900 each, which Mrs Curn says is steep. I say I'm not flying Economy for 24 hours to go somewhere I don't want to go.
So, best resource for cheap (er) business class flights?
I thank you.
Mrs Curns best mate is getting married in NZ in March 09.
Mrs Curn says that we are going for three weeks - no choice.
I don't want to go beacuse I am a miserable old sod, am stuck in my ways and would far rather smoke the Range Rover down to Courcheval with the boys and ski and drink for 10 days. (Like the last few years
) But I digress.Anyway. Cheap Business Class flights.
Singapore Air, is £3900 each, which Mrs Curn says is steep. I say I'm not flying Economy for 24 hours to go somewhere I don't want to go.
So, best resource for cheap (er) business class flights?
I thank you.
Last Emirates ticket I bought (in May) was 3270 return, but that's for peak season. Emirates is three stops though, I think Singapore is just two. I can't remember when the cut off is, March is starting to become their autumn so prices could be cheaper.
I got mine via Worldspan Travel (http://www.worldspantravel.co.uk/) and was told prices were going up in a few weeks so that may have happened, and may negate any seasonal savings
I got mine via Worldspan Travel (http://www.worldspantravel.co.uk/) and was told prices were going up in a few weeks so that may have happened, and may negate any seasonal savings
Novel idea; China Eastern Airlines to Sydney with a two day stop over in Shanghai, which is a wicked place to hang out for a while. See if you can sneak away from the missus for an hour or two; "I'm just popping out for a newspaper love"...you get the picture.
Then from Sydney fly Quantas direct to wherever in NZ, usually it's about a three hour flight there's no need for Business Class for that.
This route, IMO, is far more interesting then going via LA then on to Aukland (and usually flying on from AUK to somewhere else in NZ.
Then from Sydney fly Quantas direct to wherever in NZ, usually it's about a three hour flight there's no need for Business Class for that.
This route, IMO, is far more interesting then going via LA then on to Aukland (and usually flying on from AUK to somewhere else in NZ.
Singapore economy is nicer than just about anyone else's, and better than some business class. 24 hours goes quicker than you think, first time I did it was just after the liquids scare and so I wasn't allowed any hand luggage at all - got by fine with the excellent video-on-demand, booze and sleep (repeated a couple of times).
You'll be able to do the London-Singapore leg in the A380 now, which on SIA means even wider seats with better pitch in economy. Business looks nice but it's just a slightly more comfortable way of being miserable on a plane, only you're 3k lighter when you get out at the other end.
And I don't know why anyone wouldn't want to go to NZ - it's ace.
You'll be able to do the London-Singapore leg in the A380 now, which on SIA means even wider seats with better pitch in economy. Business looks nice but it's just a slightly more comfortable way of being miserable on a plane, only you're 3k lighter when you get out at the other end.
And I don't know why anyone wouldn't want to go to NZ - it's ace.
It makes a great place to retire 
.sjg said:
Singapore economy is nicer than just about anyone else's, and better than some business class. 24 hours goes quicker than you think, first time I did it was just after the liquids scare and so I wasn't allowed any hand luggage at all - got by fine with the excellent video-on-demand, booze and sleep (repeated a couple of times).
You'll be able to do the London-Singapore leg in the A380 now, which on SIA means even wider seats with better pitch in economy. Business looks nice but it's just a slightly more comfortable way of being miserable on a plane, only you're 3k lighter when you get out at the other end.
There was a huge difference between the two for me (I'm not a good economy passenger over long haul), the main one being I didn't need to spend any time recovering/sleeping at the other end, effectively increasing the time I had to do stuff.You'll be able to do the London-Singapore leg in the A380 now, which on SIA means even wider seats with better pitch in economy. Business looks nice but it's just a slightly more comfortable way of being miserable on a plane, only you're 3k lighter when you get out at the other end.
Would be interested in how the A380 is in economy, especially since this is going to be the last time I can justify the expenditure, prices have increased so much in the past four years. Free "chauffeur" service to from the airport at both ends, priority check-in, security and boarding, use of lounges (which I tend not to bother with unless I'm hungry), G&T button, better (by comparison!) food, faster service, much wider/longer seat with built in massagers all go long way to improving the trip - especially the ride home.
sjg said:
And I don't know why anyone wouldn't want to go to NZ - it's ace.
Too right!Booked a couple of weeks ago to go to a wedding next Feb.
Used Travelbag on recommendation. Flying UK - Copenhagen - Bangkok - Auckland. SAS as far as Bangkok then Thai. Business class was around £1950 rtn. each, half the price of most deals I found on the net. It seems the trick is not to start a long haul flight from the UK - I know others who've done similar with Lufthansa / Malaysian via Frankfurt and Kuala Lumpur.
These options don't seem to be available via online booking engines though, you need to do it over the phone.
Used Travelbag on recommendation. Flying UK - Copenhagen - Bangkok - Auckland. SAS as far as Bangkok then Thai. Business class was around £1950 rtn. each, half the price of most deals I found on the net. It seems the trick is not to start a long haul flight from the UK - I know others who've done similar with Lufthansa / Malaysian via Frankfurt and Kuala Lumpur.
These options don't seem to be available via online booking engines though, you need to do it over the phone.
Deleveredenergy said:
These options don't seem to be available via online booking engines though, you need to do it over the phone.
Absolutely, this is where a good agent such as Travelbag can get you what you need at a good price. Other decent long haul specialists should be able to help such as Flightcentres.On that route I'd consider
1. Singapore - all classes
2. Thai - all classes
3. Air New Zealand in business class
4. How about Virgin Atlantic to either Sydney or Singapore and then onward with someone like Air NZ after that?
I must admit I'd spring for the extra for business for such a long flight. Colleague got a deal of GBP 2k per person Virgin Upper Class return London to Sydney and then should not be too bad to do an econmy onwards to NZ after that.
Chris
sjg said:
Business looks nice but it's just a slightly more comfortable way of being miserable on a plane, only you're 3k lighter when you get out at the other end.
Business has the massive difference that your seat turns into a bed and you can sleep. 24 hours in anyone's economy and I'm a wreck at the other end, 24 hours in business and I get to the other end able to function, able to work. I do London to Sydney several times a year and for me the extra on business class is worth every penny.The price you've been quoted is fractionally less than a round the world business class ticket with the following stops...Leave UK >> Singapore/Perth/Melbourne/Sydney/Wellington <own transport> Auckland/Fiji/LA/SanFran <own transport> Vegas/LA >> Return UK
travelnation.co.uk specialise in Round the World and Business Class flights.
travelnation.co.uk specialise in Round the World and Business Class flights.
Davros79 said:
If you like the scenery in Courcheval then you will love the south island of New Zealand....plus it has the added bonus of there being no french...;)
Oh really?http://www.akaroa.com/fpnew/fastpage/fpengine.php/...
Dear God man, you DON'T want to go to NZ?! right, that's it, out the way - I'm off First Class, and I throw in your wife too. God's own country (next to England of course!).
Spent a month out there a few years ago, just travelling around and exploring with my wife, and we loved it - can't wait to get back when the kids are a bit older, and have seriously considered moving out there permenantly on several occasions.
Spent a month out there a few years ago, just travelling around and exploring with my wife, and we loved it - can't wait to get back when the kids are a bit older, and have seriously considered moving out there permenantly on several occasions.
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