Air New Zealand Air Points - Business Premier to Rarotonga

According to my Star Alliance electronic timetable, there's regular flights (up till the end of October) AKL-RAR on 777's, which presumably means Business Premier. Maybe I've not been paying attention recently, but I thought there was normally only old style business on this route. And it's at sane times of the day too - none of those early hours of the morning flights lots of the islands seem to suffer from.

Can someone confirm if this is right or if it's just a figment of my imagination - I think I might take a trip there business class if I can get BP.

You're not imagining things, 777s are indeed operating on some AKL-RAR flights.

NZ14 AKL-RAR-LAX is still a 763, however.

777 Flights

NZ46 AKL - RAR Dep 09:30 Arr 15:20 -1 Mon Thu
NZ45 RAR - AKL Dep 16:45 Arr 19:15 +1 Sun Wed

Flights not available at this stage from end of March 2008

Is it possible to route from the U.S. from, say, LAX to RAR connecting thru AKL for a comparable fare to the 763 flights?

LAX-RAR operates ThSu (and RAR-LAX WeSa) - arriving the following day. So you'd need a 2-3 day stopover in RAR to connect to the 777 flights.

Some fares allow island stopover for free or modest addition.

I wish I could take the new nonstop YVR-AKL, then change to AKL-RAR aboard one of these 777s. However, since the 777s end service on this route in October and the YVR-AKL nonstop doesn't begin until November... it won't be possible.

I doubt NZ would even offer this ticket, I would probably have had to book two separate PNRs to get this routing.

Thanks for the heads-up, Reason077 & WLG Base. Raro's looking pretty good for a holiday now...

On a similar note, I've also spotted a few 777 services doing CHC-AKL. Eg NZ90, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. (I have to admit I really need to get out more). The booking engine will let you book them - but economy only. Does anyone know if this is on its way somewhere long-haul, or is it some sort of timetable filler ? And do they actually do Business service on this run ? Interestingly, I've seen it available for awards in Business on the ANA star alliance award planner website.

The NZ90 CHC-AKL is a 777 flight routing Tokyo-Christchurch-Auckland (or, at times, there's also an NZ98 Osaka-Christchurch-Auckland).

There is a crew change in Christchurch and a Business service is provided (snack of beef salad, fruit and some form of sweet cake for dessert). However, Business is only available to passengers originating in Japan. They may seat Elite/Gold passengers booked in Economy up there occasionally, but I believe the crew who operate the Japan-Christchurch sector (pilots and cabin crew) get first priority for the Business seating. There aren't huge numbers of the big cheeses on this flight anyway, because of the longer check-in requirements.

There aren't huge numbers of the big cheeses on this flight anyway, because of the longer check-in requirements.If only we got called Big Cheeses on all flights by crew :D :D

The NZ90 CHC-AKL is a 777 flight routing Tokyo-Christchurch-Auckland (or, at times, there's also an NZ98 Osaka-Christchurch-Auckland).

There is a crew change in Christchurch and a Business service is provided (snack of beef salad, fruit and some form of sweet cake for dessert). However, Business is only available to passengers originating in Japan. They may seat Elite/Gold passengers booked in Economy up there occasionally, but I believe the crew who operate the Japan-Christchurch sector (pilots and cabin crew) get first priority for the Business seating. There aren't huge numbers of the big cheeses on this flight anyway, because of the longer check-in requirements.

You can also use this flight in business if originating in CHC and connecting to another international destination - I got it as part of an Aeroplan award itinerary CHC-AKL-SYD. It makes for a longer journey than the direct flight, but if connecting to one of the 777 flights AKL-SYD you get 2 sectors of Business Premier seats rather than the standard A320 business product.

Service was exactly as nz_crew described - the snack was very nice and more elaborate than I was expecting. Can't remember if alcohol was offered or not - it was kinda early in the day after a holiday of heavy drinking :) Business cabin was very lightly loaded - maybe about 5 or 6 seats filled?

Found this thread in a search for BP AKL-RAR and thought an update may be useful.

It appears to me that there are now 10 AKL-RAR flights each week; 5 on a 320 [NZ846/8 Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat x 2], 2 on a 767 [NZ14 Sun, NZ46 Fri], and 3 on a 777 [NZ46 Mon, Wed, Thu].

Coming back, 5 on a 320 [NZ845/9 Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat], 2 on a 767 [NZ19 Mon, NZ45 Thu], and 3 on a 777 [NZ45 Sun, Tue, Wed].

Ah memories of my first ever Business flight on the way to our wedding/honeymoon in Rarotonga and Aitutaki. Never forgotten those words.... "Welcome to Business Class Sir". Seem to remember getting a bit intoxicated... ^:confused::D

Great place for a break RAR, not exactly sophisticated, gourmet or stylish, but cruisy, relaxed and very South Pacific. AIT is utterly stunning, as long as the sun is shining, which it often does.

Thanks for the info kiwibigdave, now looking forward to a BP flight there next year methinks....

Cheers
TiggerK

If your trip to RAR is a long way ahead I would not count on the a/c types remaining unchanged. They have changed a lot in the past year or so and no reason to believe the a/c types on the route will stay the same without further changes.

Similar vein but different destination - I see there are no less than three (!) 747-400s winging their way from Sydney to Auckland this Sunday (including an extra flight NZ112). No Bledisloe Cup matches are on, and AFAIK there aren't any other big events happening in Sydney (aside from World Youth Day which doesn't start til the Monday) - any reason for the extra capacity or can I look forward to a half-empty 747-400? :cool:

any reason for the extra capacity or can I look forward to a half-empty 747-400? :cool:

Start of NZ & NSW school holidays. Look forward to lots of screaming kids ;)

NZ school holidays have already started (last weekend).

Isn't there a very large group booking involved?

My 737 CHC-AKL was cancelled the other day and I was put on NZ90 CHC-AKL. We were only offered the standard domestic tea, coffee, water and a biscuit. Nice to be able to watch PTV but a bit time consuming getting through AKL international.