Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Direct to BNE from HNL or via Auckland

Am flying my family to Australia for 8 months (Jan-Aug) and am working the last bit of the flight -> HNL to BNE.

I can get a direct flight on Qantas (*only* 10.5 hours) but am considering flying through Auckland so that, on the way home, we can spend a few days in NZ.

The time difference is around +5 hours each leg and the tix will cost an extra $600 USD.

Would it be smarter to pick up a cheap holiday package once we're in Australia? It might cost a bit more (how cheap a tix can you get?) but we'd have small luggage, less complexity, etc, etc?

Thoughts/Advice?

Not sure I fully understand, so if I miss the target, please forgive.

However, there is a glut of seats in the HNL-SYD/MEL market, so that will likely to remain cheap for some time. That isn't the case between HNL-AUK. And as I recall (its been a few months), there were lots of good holiday deals (like on Virgin Blue) to NZ.

BTW flying time is more like 9.5 hrs.

Sorry, wasn't clear enough. We're moving to BNE for 8 months, have AA frequent flyer tix R/T to HNL so the domestic is done.

I have direct r/t flights NHL on Qantas ($7K for the family - ouch).

I was looking at an ANZ flight from HNL/AUK/BNE for around $7.7K. But it gives me the option of a "free" four day stay in Auckland on the way home.

Was wondering if the increased complexity of the trip (connection vs. direct) was worth the savings of just buying BNE/AUK tix when we can over the next eight months.

The cheapest return tix from Australia to NZ at the moment are around $450AUD per person return.

You may be able to find a great package deal, but still couldn't see it being any less than over $500AUD per person.

So the $700US difference is a bargain compared to the price you would have to pay for a trip later.

But it all comes down to whether you want to fly on Qantas or Air NZ.


(BTW, I can't see how you have a "direct" flight to BNE from HNL. Either you are flying Qantas (HNL-SYD, SYD-BNE) or via a Qantas codeshare that goes through Nadi (If I recall correctly, maybe HNL-NADI, NADI-BNE). )

You are correct, it is not direct - did not pay enough attention to my reservation.

So perhaps the time difference is much less than I thought it would be since there is a 2 hour layover in SYD.

Hmmm.

Is there any substantive difference between the flight experience ANZ vs. QANTAS?

On this route not a lot. Both have their older a/c flying to/from HNL (747-300 for QF and 767 for NZ). With NZ, depending on schedules you might get the 747 (ie refitted longhaul) between AKL and BNE (other flights use A320) which would be better than QF's domestic fitted 767s between SYD and BNE. But relatively short trans-tasman flight.

Note that some QF flights will be operated by Jetstar, QFs low cost subsidiary. Best to avoid those I think. In the schedule these will show as QF 5000-something flight number (or JQ flight number).

Also, keep in mind that once Jetstar starts, Qantas will replace the 747-300's with a 767 service.

The Qantas 767's are showing their age, but are safe planes. I assume the AirNZ planes are similar, although I havn't flown on their 767's for around 6 years!