Originally Posted by samjaynz

Being self-employed, I really need to start looking at using the cheaper alternatives more e.g. Jetstar for domestic travel (especially for Auckland and Wellington).

The only caveat being - as entitled and big-headed as it sounds - one esoteric advantage of Air NZ with respect to business travel is the people you meet. I heard somebody once describe the Air NZ lounge as 'the engine room of NZ business' and to a certain extent I agree. I can think of several projects I've won in the past that have come off the back of either meeting somebody or bumping into somebody I haven't seen in a while in the lounge, or even on an Air NZ flight.

Just yesterday on my way to Melbourne via Auckland I bumped into an old contact I haven't seen in 2-3 years, who was also travelling up to Auckland for the day for work. We got chatting, and lo and behold he revealed a potential project he wants me to help with following some staffing changes in his business. If that goes ahead, this one project would more than cover the cost difference of Air NZ vs Jetstar for my business for the next 12 months.

I appreciate that is a very 'esoteric' value proposition (and also not applicable to most people ... for our personal travel we are now shifting to Jetstar to save $$$ unless the difference is small) but something to consider in my case.