Flights to Christchurch

wilson182 · Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 10:36 pm Post subject: Flights to Christchurch

Can anyone recommend the best place to go for cheap flights to Christchurch for around May time?

Many Thanks

Wilson

markkellaway · Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 10:47 pm Post subject:

Hi Wilson,

We're flying over on the 10th of May, return this time but maybe the one way ticket will come!! I found after some extensive searching that buying from Air New Zealand, direct from their Web site, was the cheapest, My wife, son and myself return for less than £1500 to Christchurch via LA and Auckland. The trouble you may have now is that May is close by, carriers tend to only allow higher price tickets as the travel dates get nearer (if you really want to travel you will payis, I believe, their attitude). The price at the moment seems to be about £635 pp (http://www.airnewzealand.co.uk).

Hope this helps,

Mark.

veronica · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 12:12 am Post subject:

We have booked all our flights through Dial a Flight with a young lady called Charlie. She has been really good about getting the best price flights the number is 0208 565 3020. The further in advance you can book the more chance you have of a discount fare.
We went with air nz a couple of years ago because the seat pitch is a couple of inches bigger than most airlines (Pete's 6'3") but because of the hassle of going through LA we don't use them. Once there it was everybody off the plane (refuelling!) You had to queue for immigration, get all your baggage and go through customs, leg it down to a different part of the airport and queue to check in again. The worst bit about it all was the bad manners and aggression from the customs and immigration people. I understand that although you still have to go through immigration you now dont have to check your bags, but there is no real transit lounge there or anything to do. So now we go via Asia. We tried Cathey Pacific last month (£539 return) and will be flying out with Singapore Airlines in May(£589 return) we are booking a return each time as its cheaper to fly from this end and I have to come back for business.

veronica · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 12:21 am Post subject: 10th May

Hi we are flying out the 10th of May too, 22.15 Heathrow going via Singapore arriving Auckland 12th 10.20 then flying down to chch on the 16th (Spending the weekend with daughter in Auckland) what time is your flight as it might be nice to meet up in the lounge somewhere.

Tanya · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 8:25 am Post subject:

Hi

We flew with Air NZ at christmas and have done so on a few occasions.
If you fly on NZ1 from Heathrow to Auckland your bags are checked all the way through to Auckland so you don't need to clear them in LA. You have to get off for refuelling but you go into a transit lounge where you do have to show your passports and get them stamped (recent because of 9/11) but you then can only go through into a transit lounge where where are toilets and free tea/coffee fizzy drinks water ice and biscuits for your pleasure. Cabin baggage has to come out with you but I think you would want to take it anyway for security/safety reasons.

When it is time to board you walk straight from the transit lounge back onto the plane and onto your original seats - all cleaned.

We always connect from Auckland to Christchurch where we have about 1 1/2 hours connection time where we are able to grab a shower in the terminal and freshen up before boarding the next plane, giving the children a bit of a run around. (Showers are free by the way - you can hire a towel etc at a cost but we manage to get everything into a cabin bag so we are not hanging around for someone to get us towels.)

There is definitely an advantage to go via LA with the baggage allowance, especially if you are taking everything with you!

Tanya

wilson182 · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 8:30 am Post subject:

Thanks for the advise guys.

I tried AirNewZealand, but the prices were frightening Eek

Tried Dial a Flight, and spoke with a lovely lady called Louise. We have booked return flights for the 4 of us for £1978.00 departing 02 May. Nice One

We are now in a state of panic, as we only have two weeks to get ourselved organised.

Nutcase

Wilson

Tanya · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 8:42 am Post subject:

Hi Wilson182

Look at

https://www.secure.travelbag.co.uk/afo/flights/step2.html?SID=QIGU6H8AAAEAACYReac&checkDIRECT=1&CURRENCY=GBP&VERSION=TB&LANG=EN&DEP=LHR&LARR=Christchurch+%5BCHC%5D&DAY_DATE=10&MONTH_DATE=200405&TIME=0&DAY_RDATE=8&MONTH_RDATE=200405&RTIME=0&PAX0=1&PAX1=0&PAX2=0&TYPE=O&COS=Y&x=81&y=13

£289 pounds for 10th May with Air NZ - might be worth a call

Good luck

Tanya

Tanya · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 8:44 am Post subject:

Hi Wilson

Oops - guess you may not have wanted my previous posting if you have already paid what you have, sorry

Tanya

veronica · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 9:09 am Post subject:

lots of the flights that are advertised on the net or teletext are not actually available when you come to try and book them. (very limited availability) have found that several timeswhich is why we now stick to using the phone.
The other draw back we found with air NZ was the planes are quite old and rely on the "big screen" which isn't visible from all seats.

veronica · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 9:26 am Post subject:

Just looked up that flight price and by the time you add the taxes (on the next page) it adds up to £333 for a one way couldn't phone to check the availability 'cos its too late. For myself I will be sticking to booking a return from the Uk because I know I have to come back next Feb. but anyone who needs a oneway that seems to be a good price.

karltsmith · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 5:12 pm Post subject:

We Booked on the internet via airlinenetwork for March departure via LAX , Air NZ and one way cost £1300 all up inc taxes insurance etc for 2 adults and two children over 2. A saving of £400 over going direct to Air NZ! Going direct to the airlines does not give the best value!!!! Some misgivings about AIr NZ service particularly for the kids! Their planes have been refitted with more generous legroom due to slimmer seats and headrests , which are great for adults. The old big screen is a poor alternative to its competitors who have newer aircraft with crystal vision plasma/VGA screens in the back of the seat in front allowing individual choice of programmes.....essential for the older kiddies!!!. If you want to use your laptop to show DVD's make sure your aircraft has a 12V outlet in the seat arm rest to take a voltage inverter! We bought one but couldn't use it for the kids because the Air NZ aircraft didn't have an outlet!!! Beware the older aircraft eh!!

Would recommend Singapore Airlnes / Emirates / Air Canada or Garuda Bali instead!

Also try ebookers and travelbag on the net! Nice One

If flying out of Manchester American Airlines used to fly out from there!

aurora · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 7:43 pm Post subject:

Another option to consider - fly to the Australian eastern seaboard (Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne) and then transfer to a one way flight from there to Christchurch.

The prices for direct flights between Christchurch and Australia are now ridiculously cheap, especially Brisbane. It's actually now more expensive to fly within Australia (eg from Brisbane to Perth) than direct to Christchurch (eg Brisbane to Christchurch).

JCM · Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 1:50 pm Post subject:

We've flown the Heathrow-LA-AKL-CHC route and Heathrow-Singapore-CHC route.

There is no comparison in the minds of myself and family. The Singapore route is better.

If you're willing to spend a little extra money on a few hours in one of the hotels located within Singapore airport itself, it makes the whole journey much more bearable. Six hours sleep, fully stretched out in a proper bed makes a huge difference to your well-being. Your baggage is held in transit so you just forget it until you reach Christchurch.

wilson182 · Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 7:17 pm Post subject:

Hi JCM

We have to have a nights stopover in Singapore. Do you recommend a particular Hotel?

Wilson

karltsmith · Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 7:58 pm Post subject:

The Marina Mandarin is pretty special! 5 star 1/2 mile from Orchard Road and Raffles in the Marina area.