Need to find flights to Auckland, NZ
Need to find flights to Auckland, NZ
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Discussion

mdotd

Original Poster:

7,008 posts

213 months

Friday 23rd January 2009
quotequote all
Hey guys,

I might need to go out to New Zealand at short-ish notice around Feb/March time; I've been eyeing up prices on expedia, travel supermarket, BA and Virgin Atlantic's website, all coming back at around £950 return (will only be there 10 to 14 days visiting a friend)... needless to say cash isn't abundant at the mo and I used all my airmiles last year, so looking for any other sites/travel agents who can maybe do a better deal; any ideas?

Travelling from any international UK airport (i'll sort out Aberdeen to other airport bit seperately) to Auckland, single ticket, has to be on a budget so economy with a splashing of DVT it'll have to be.

Cheers for any suggestions! smile

Simpo Two

92,680 posts

294 months

Friday 23rd January 2009
quotequote all
Single ticket - you swimming home?!

I went three years ago and the cheapest airline was Korean Air. Yes it was pretty grim but we got there and saved several hundred pounds.

Does long-haul work for 'last-minute' type deals where they cut prices just to fill seats?


SS HSV

9,646 posts

287 months

Friday 23rd January 2009
quotequote all
Yeah agree with ^^

At this time, there are few people travelling. The bag count for Heathrow T4 was down by 30,000 compared to this time last year and the airlines are starting to offer some blinding deals. Keep looking and you should find something very soon.

grumbledoak

32,565 posts

262 months

Friday 23rd January 2009
quotequote all
You can do it for less than £950 (we're off in two weeks), it is getting quite competitive at the moment. Even Air NZ has some returns closer to £800 if you are a bit flexible.

That said, there is much more availability, and up to £300 cheaper, if you don't mind getting fingerprinted by the septics...


Try the Air NZ website, or The Flight Centre?

Famous Graham

26,553 posts

254 months

Friday 23rd January 2009
quotequote all
If a return is cheaper than a single, is one able to swap details with someone for the return leg?


Dilligaf10

2,431 posts

239 months

Friday 23rd January 2009
quotequote all
You have mail

Silver993tt

9,064 posts

268 months

Friday 23rd January 2009
quotequote all
Famous Graham said:
If a return is cheaper than a single, is one able to swap details with someone for the return leg?
no

Famous Graham

26,553 posts

254 months

Friday 23rd January 2009
quotequote all
Silver993tt said:
Famous Graham said:
If a return is cheaper than a single, is one able to swap details with someone for the return leg?
no
Bugger.

mdotd

Original Poster:

7,008 posts

213 months

Friday 23rd January 2009
quotequote all
Simpo Two said:
Single ticket - you swimming home?!
If it's cheaper! wink I meant single as "1 person going"! I figured a last minute deal might work out better as well, just getting a feel for prices at the mo...

The flight centre look good; under £600 for return but I'd have to go from April onwards which isn't best... might still be worth a shout though.

Cheers smile

Simpo Two

92,680 posts

294 months

Friday 23rd January 2009
quotequote all
SS HSV said:
The bag count for Heathrow T4 was down by 30,000
They lost them hehe

tubbystu

3,846 posts

289 months

Friday 23rd January 2009
quotequote all
Talk to a real travel agent - I'd use one of the old single shop type one's that offer individual spec holidays in the high street.

They can look much quicker at routing options, so you are going to have to stop at least once for Auckland you could you stop twice maybe ?

Which international airlines operate out of Aberdeen ? Check their offers.

Best Travelocity comes up with is £889 ABZ - AKL - ABZ all in incl £472 taxes yikes


mdotd

Original Poster:

7,008 posts

213 months

Friday 23rd January 2009
quotequote all
tubbystu said:
Which international airlines operate out of Aberdeen ? Check their offers.

Non that will get me there without charging for the "convenience" privilege (I'm looking at you BA) or a ton of stops, hence why I figured it would be easier to travel to Glasgow/Manchester/London some otherway and then have the choice of flights.

Flew to Tokyo last year by going Aberdeen - Copenhagen - Tokyo with SAS but it was on (a lot of) air miles, and now I reckon they'd just be as expensive as everyone else, even AirNZ is quoting over £1200 for "last minute" (i.e. leaving this time next week) yikes ...just gotta keep on tryin I suppose coffee

tubbystu

3,846 posts

289 months

Friday 23rd January 2009
quotequote all
Do couriers still use "bodies" to carry documents ? They used to, might be worth a dig for a courier agency maybe ? Might get you a London to Sydney leg part paid for scratchchin Auckland might be pushing it hehe

Silver993tt

9,064 posts

268 months

Saturday 24th January 2009
quotequote all
it's the summer season in NZ which will make flights more expensive plus the fact you're looking at last minute which will also load the fare.

peterperkins

3,439 posts

271 months

Saturday 24th January 2009
quotequote all
tubbystu said:
Do couriers still use "bodies" to carry documents ? They used to, might be worth a dig for a courier agency maybe ? Might get you a London to Sydney leg part paid for scratchchin Auckland might be pushing it hehe
That sounds very dodgy,

"Excuse me sir did you pack this jiffy bag, package yourself?"

"No some bloke said he would pay for my flight if I dropped it off for him!"

"Security to check In no 5 please, suspect package alert!!"

thehawk

9,335 posts

236 months

Saturday 24th January 2009
quotequote all

tubbystu

3,846 posts

289 months

Saturday 24th January 2009
quotequote all
peterperkins said:
tubbystu said:
Do couriers still use "bodies" to carry documents ? They used to, might be worth a dig for a courier agency maybe ? Might get you a London to Sydney leg part paid for scratchchin Auckland might be pushing it hehe
That sounds very dodgy,

"Excuse me sir did you pack this jiffy bag, package yourself?"

"No some bloke said he would pay for my flight if I dropped it off for him!"

"Security to check In no 5 please, suspect package alert!!"
Not if it is just a paper document.