Multi stop flight to New Zealand

[PistonReg]

I'm going to take a month off in Jan and spend 2 weeks in New Zealand and going such a long way it would be nice to stop off at a few other places to break the journey and make the trip more worthwhile.

Has anyone done one of these multistop flights and can recommend a good place to book them. Also, if you've done this route any advice on places that make a logical stop would be appreciated. I'm thinking of fitting in Sydney, Hong Kong, Tokyo and either New York or LA (not in that order)...

Cheers!

[Gemsbok1000]

I did this last year. Qantas hae a good multi-stop flight planner on their website......but it does quote a much higher price than you will get if you go to somewhere like trailfinders for the same flights for some reason.

I stopped off in Hong Kong and Sydney on the way there and Singapore on the way back, which is a combination I can recommend.

[dan1981]

Trailfinders will help you out.

Really helpful. Found they were more helpful in person than over the phone.

Find out if there is one near to you.

[mouk786]

went to Aus with qantas, - did China on way and Hong Kong on the way back

On the ticket I bought they allowed you 2 stopovers, so you can go one way on the way there (i.e china) and then come back the other (i.e usa)

[CVP]

For other long haul specialists as well as Trailfinders you could try Flight Centres or Travelbag, both very good.

It really can pay to see a specialist for this kind of thing as the routings/options/fares are quite complex and some of the consultants within each of these operations can really save you a lot of hassle.

Chris

[audidoody]

you usually have to travel in one direction for the best fares and stopovers (ie West - LA - Honolulu - Auckland or East - Singapore/Hong kong/Malaysia/Sydney Auckland

[Silver993tt]

Gemsbok1000 said:

......but it does quote a much higher price than you will get if you go to somewhere like trailfinders for the same flights for some reason.

That's because a 3rd party such as Traifinders brings in alot of buisness for Qantas. Basically, Trailfinders will be spending money on marketing/Sales/Websites etc that the airline doesn't have to invest in. Therefore, they get preferential rates on flights. This is probably tied with Trailfinders guaranteeing a certain number of bookings per quarter/year.

It's a case of Traifinders 'buying' alot more flights from the airline than an individual

[JRM]

I did one years ago, found trailfinders very good - we did London - LA - Hawaii - Auckland, drove around a bit, then came back Wellington - Fiji - LA - Londwon

Main stops were Hawaii and Fiji, both great places to visit

You'll have a great time - very jealous

[Don]

On no account fly to NZ through LA...unless you are going to stop there.

As a transfer airport it's st beyond belief.

[moosepig]

dan1981 said:

Trailfinders will help you out.

Really helpful. Found they were more helpful in person than over the phone.

Find out if there is one near to you.

+1

And go for longer if you can - I went for 4 weeks and it wasn't nearly enough.

[paoloh]

My wife and I flew around the worl Business class with Air New Zealand.

LA
Hawaii
Fiji
New Zealand
Australia
Thailand
India

£4k each but remember that was Business.

Air New Zealand are an excellent carrier.

[cottonfoo]

moosepig said:

And go for longer if you can - I went for 4 weeks and it wasn't nearly enough.

Yep, ideally two weeks minimum just in the South Island.

[thehawk]

Air New Zealand has the best options (as well as best legroom and IFE) by far. They have a multi-trip planner and are the only airline that genuinely flies around the world. You can go via Hong Kong on the Eastern side, but the Western side has far more options such as LA, San Francisco, Hawaii, Tahiti and the South Pacific islands.

https://flightbookings.airnewzealand.co.uk/isbook_...

I can't emphasise how good their IFE is though, it is totally on demand and is 'gate to gate' which basically means you can use it as soon as you board, rather than waiting 20 minutes until after takeoff. It also has a USB port for connecting/charging ipods and you can watch your ipod content on the in seat screen. Certainly worth it for long haul flights.

You really wouldn't want to do it in Qantas - shocking airline.

I'm 5' 11" and you can see the legroom in economy, as well as the rather cool in flight maps.

[audidoody]

Don said:

On no account fly to NZ through LA...unless you are going to stop there.

As a transfer airport it's st beyond belief.

+1

As I recall, you have to clear immigration and customs even if you are only changing planes. Feckin' ridiculous Yanks.

Edited by audidoody on Tuesday 11th November 12:02

[cottonfoo]

thehawk said:

I can't emphasise how good their IFE is though

Emirates' ICE is at least as good, but isn't available on all aircraft yet.

[thehawk]

audidoody said:

Don said:

On no account fly to NZ through LA...unless you are going to stop there.

As a transfer airport it's st beyond belief.

+1

As I recall, you have to clear immigration and customs even if you are only changing planes. Feckin' ridiculous Yanks.

Edited by audidoody on Tuesday 11th November 12:02

Depends, Air NZ have a direct flight, NZ1, from London to Auckland, that stops for 2 hours for refueling. You are herded into a lounge apparently with limited facilities and then re-boarded.

On Qantas you actually have to change terminals I think because Qantas don't do the LHR-LAX leg, that is a BA plane which de-planes at a different terminal to the Qantas flight.

[muley]

I cam back from NZ earlier this year via Hong Kong. I was only there for an hour or so but I bought a shower and breakfast package for about a tenner. Stood in the shower for about 1/4 hour than had a couple of beers before getting my clean t shirt on and reboarding the flight. Best tenner I've ever spent!

Flight was with NZ and service / legroom was fine although the measly (strictly enforced)luggage allowance was not!

As other have said avoid LA it's a bloody disgrace

[thehawk]

cottonfoo said:

thehawk said:

I can't emphasise how good their IFE is though

Emirates' ICE is at least as good, but isn't available on all aircraft yet.

Yes, pretty similar, but the maps aren't as good the legroom is worse. The inflight cameras are cool though

[Famous Graham]

Ah, but, Qantas have just taken delivery of an A380

[cottonfoo]

thehawk said:

Yes, pretty similar, but the maps aren't as good the legroom is worse. The inflight cameras are cool though

They're great, especially the one looking directly below. I've only flown them business though.