Flights to New Zealand Are on Sale

By Don Nadeau, on April 29, 2009, in Airfares, Travel

With fewer flights, USA to New Zealand airfares have normally been higher than those to Australia.

That’s still true, but look for some real bargains now.

Air New Zealand—with on-demand entertainment at your seat and more room between you and the seat in front of you—and Qantas—also with at seat entertainment and often-lower fares than Air NZ—fly Los Angeles to Auckland nonstop. V Australia (a Virgin airline) connects with its partner Pacific Blue in Sydney to reach New Zealand.

Air New Zealand also does San Francisco to Auckland nonstop. United code shares with Air New Zealand and may have different fares on the same plane.

If your itinerary takes you to both islands or just to the South Island, check out “open jaw” fares, e.g., into Auckland and out of Christchurch, or a roundtrip fare to Christchurch.

A fine way to do the South Island is to fly into Wellington, take a 3-hour Interislander ferry across to Picton, and then to fly out of Christchurch when done exploring. You can also fly into and out of Queenstown, but its airport tends to be closed somewhat more than the others due to poor visibility.

If an open jaw fare works out as too expensive for you, you can take budget Pacific Blue in New Zealand if you simply must travel by air in this beautiful country. Please do not set up same day connections between Pacific Blue to or from your international flights.

Next post: Setting up your budget Australia or New Zealand itinerary for the cheapest fare.