Air New Zealand Air Points - Reduced Star Alliance Options Across Tasman

Could someone please tell me if this change in the A320 operations to Freedom Air is going to reduce Star Alliance options.

I have been looking on www.Staralliance.Com for flights from CHC to MEL, in late October and the only option I have is to go via Auckland - first thing in the morning and connect to NZ5. It does not show any A320 flight operated by Freedom Air.

It is almost as if as it is a code share that Star Alliance is saying it isn't a true *A flight.

Is this a mistake or can't we redeem Star Points from other airlines or book Circle Asia / Circle Pacific flights on the Freedom operated A320s?

I am trying to find a flight from Japan (KIX or NRT) to MEL on Saturday 28th October. www.staralliance.com doesn't give an Air NZ option. If I just try and show CHC to MEL on the 29th. I only get 5:50am out of CHC to AKL and then NZ5. No other flights are shown on the 7 day lookup.

If this is true, then I will not be able to do Asia - NZ - MEL on Circle Asia fares and doubt if I will use them again. (Can't afford the time to stop over in Auckland.)

Based on my understanding that is a mistake. There is some more info in the NZ news thread.

My understanding is the AOC would be Freedom (and perhaps staffing also?) but in all respects from a passengers perspective they would be treated like an NZ flight - ie much the same as JetConnect for Qantas on NZ domestic and some trans-tasman flights. The fact it is "operated by JetConnect" is almost invisible.

Note this is not the case for Freedom Air flights (with SJ code) which operate from/to secondary cities only (eg Gold Coast, Palmerston North, Hamilton, etc).

Yeah, I know. I read that. But I still don't understand why none of the NZ7xx flights are showing on the web site and none of the current flight numbers either.

I will ask on the Star forum if their is a travel agent that can try and book a flight to see if the GDSs are okay.

Yeah, I know. I read that. But I still don't understand why none of the NZ7xx flights are showing on the web site and none of the current flight numbers either.

I will ask on the Star forum if their is a travel agent that can try and book a flight to see if the GDSs are okay.

The NZ website still shows the daily nonstop from CHC to MEL in October, with that flight leaving in the middle of the afternoon at 3:35, as well as a second nonstop in the morning on Wednesdays at least. The website also shows the return nonstop from MEL to CHC leaving daily at 8:00 a.m., with at least Wednesday getting a second nonstop leaving at 11:50 a.m. These flights are still listed as NZ operated flights.

Seems to be causing confusion. For example www.zuji.co.nz front page

Announcement

Air New Zealand's A320 operations across Tasman (Australia), Domestic & South Pacific will start transitioning to operate under Freedom Air's airline.

Some of your flights may be affected.

The NZ website still shows the daily nonstop from CHC to MEL in October, with that flight leaving in the middle of the afternoon at 3:35, as well as a second nonstop in the morning on Wednesdays at least. The website also shows the return nonstop from MEL to CHC leaving daily at 8:00 a.m., with at least Wednesday getting a second nonstop leaving at 11:50 a.m. These flights are still listed as NZ operated flights.

When I look at them they have the symbol showing operated by another airline if you hang the mouse over the flight number it shows "Freedom Air". So yes it shows the NZ7xx series flights, but what do others see them as.

The Air NZ web site shows code shares, some of which you don't earn status "Airbucks" on. Which is why I would like to see this verified outside of the Air NZ web site on what the *A status of these flights are.

I'm pretty sure these changes have no consequence to the traveller at all. It'll be the same plane, same livery, quite possibly the same crew. The only difference will be that the crew will get a pay-cheque from Freedom Air rather than Air New Zealand. And the pay-cheque will be small as well. Oh, ther'll be a sticker near the nose.

As posted - the arrangement will be very much the same as with Jet Connect for QF, Bmed for BA, etc.