I'm traveling July 8th, which was why I was surprised it was zeroed out 9 days ahead. Unless there was some event in Auckland I don't know about, or does NZ have no trouble keeping the loads high to/from MEL.

I'm now leaning toward the 12 noon flight (NZ8) in PE (as economy is zeroed out too!). Either that or the cheaper 10:55 am QF direct flight.

Ideally I'd love to stay longer in MEL, but everything direct in the evening is gone except QF C. The 800 US flight I was talking about was QF via SYD in late afternoon.

With needing to get back the next morning, I'm thinking go direct albeit earlier and have a nice evening in Auckland before flying back the next morning. It is after all, not meant to be stressful.

Kiwi Flyer, if you think there is a chance of the evening flight opening up, when would it usually happen? If I bought PE on the noon flight, any chance they'd let me change to Y on the evening flight without a fee? Kind of a voluntary downgrade?

Thanks for all the suggestions.

gbsfo