Air New Zealand / Virgin Australia Trans-Tasman Alliance Information
Sep 4, 2014, 1:14 pm
#256
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: NZ Koru
Posts: 6,415
Also typically most companies in New Zealand don't allow Business Class on the Tasman. Where as in Australia its a different story.
Sep 5, 2014, 11:12 pm
#257
Ambassador: Air New Zealand
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Wellington NZ
Programs: NZ Elite, EK Gold, Qatar Gold, Amex Plat, Accor Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,426
I like clearing immigration in WLG. I used to travel J on NZ to/from SYD and connect to/from SE Asia with SQ or TG.
Over the past year I have travelled EK a few times now codeshare between WLG and SYD and then EK to SE Asia.
All the QF flights I have been on TT have been full in J.
Over the past year I have travelled EK a few times now codeshare between WLG and SYD and then EK to SE Asia.
All the QF flights I have been on TT have been full in J.
Sep 7, 2014, 9:48 pm
#258
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Sydney and Christchurch
Programs: Skywards Platinum, Qantas Platinum, Velocity Platinum, Air New Zealand Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 38
Got back from CH on Sunday on an EK flight, business class nearly all full and noticed nearly all exited in SYD.
Went over on QF and again all business was full to CH, had a conversation with the cabin supervisor who said that they are nearly always full on the T/T to CH & WLG. He said that it was because NZ does not offer a full business class on the WLG & CH routes.
Given some of the specials that EK offer the EK and QF fares are sometimes cheaper one way from NZ to SYD in Business than the works deluxe product, and if not on special about an extra $200 over works deluxe.
When VA start business on the T/T does it not leave NZ as a LCC on the routes not serviced by the bigger aircraft?
Went over on QF and again all business was full to CH, had a conversation with the cabin supervisor who said that they are nearly always full on the T/T to CH & WLG. He said that it was because NZ does not offer a full business class on the WLG & CH routes.
Given some of the specials that EK offer the EK and QF fares are sometimes cheaper one way from NZ to SYD in Business than the works deluxe product, and if not on special about an extra $200 over works deluxe.
When VA start business on the T/T does it not leave NZ as a LCC on the routes not serviced by the bigger aircraft?
Sep 17, 2014, 5:25 pm
#259
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: Air NZ, QF
Posts: 1
Airpoints Gold Newb
Hi Team
Sorry for a question that may be a repeater - I've gone through and searched a bunch of threads and to no avail :-(
I am a newbie Airpoints Gold member, flying VA 01 SYD-LAX today and can't make head or tail of what I get in regards to privileges at SYD or LAX?
Do I get lounge access for myself and my partner? Priority boarding? Do I use VA lounge or KC?
The website for ANZ seemed really vague (or maybe thats just me).
Thanks so much in advance - I know its not really an interesting question...
PM
Sorry for a question that may be a repeater - I've gone through and searched a bunch of threads and to no avail :-(
I am a newbie Airpoints Gold member, flying VA 01 SYD-LAX today and can't make head or tail of what I get in regards to privileges at SYD or LAX?
Do I get lounge access for myself and my partner? Priority boarding? Do I use VA lounge or KC?
The website for ANZ seemed really vague (or maybe thats just me).
Thanks so much in advance - I know its not really an interesting question...
PM
Sep 17, 2014, 5:49 pm
#260
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: SYD
Programs: Too many golds, no plat: OZ*G, AC*G, NZ*G, VA Gold, QF Gold, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 5,350
It is very hard to find accurate information. I do know that for international flights out of Sydney on VA metal, they still use the AirNZ lounge, except for Abu Dhabi flights for which they use the Etihad lounge. In LAX they use the new Star Alliance lounge.
As for what you're entitled to with NZ*G, that is much less clear... but I *think* you are treated the same as Virgin Velocity gold, which will get you lounge access at both ends (plus a guest). I'm pretty sure it shows up as 'Partner Gold' on your boarding pass.
Have a go and let us know how you get on
As for what you're entitled to with NZ*G, that is much less clear... but I *think* you are treated the same as Virgin Velocity gold, which will get you lounge access at both ends (plus a guest). I'm pretty sure it shows up as 'Partner Gold' on your boarding pass.
Have a go and let us know how you get on
Sep 17, 2014, 6:29 pm
#261
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: NZ*G ELT, VA-G
Posts: 3,598
Hi Team
Sorry for a question that may be a repeater - I've gone through and searched a bunch of threads and to no avail :-(
I am a newbie Airpoints Gold member, flying VA 01 SYD-LAX today and can't make head or tail of what I get in regards to privileges at SYD or LAX?
Do I get lounge access for myself and my partner? Priority boarding? Do I use VA lounge or KC?
The website for ANZ seemed really vague (or maybe thats just me).
Thanks so much in advance - I know its not really an interesting question...
PM
Sorry for a question that may be a repeater - I've gone through and searched a bunch of threads and to no avail :-(
I am a newbie Airpoints Gold member, flying VA 01 SYD-LAX today and can't make head or tail of what I get in regards to privileges at SYD or LAX?
Do I get lounge access for myself and my partner? Priority boarding? Do I use VA lounge or KC?
The website for ANZ seemed really vague (or maybe thats just me).
Thanks so much in advance - I know its not really an interesting question...
PM
But VA now departs from TBIT and use the Star Alliance lounge. I don't see why you won't have access as it's operated by NZ.
Sep 17, 2014, 7:22 pm
#262
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: NZ*G ELT, VA-G
Posts: 3,598
On another note, VA has opted for the Zodiac seats for their 330 and 77W's seen on CX. I much prefer these seats than the NZ ones. First you are facing the window not away from it. Makes it a lot more comfortable to look out the window. And you don't have to get up to convert the bed.
http://www.runwaygirlnetwork.com/201...330s-and-777s/
http://www.runwaygirlnetwork.com/201...330s-and-777s/
Sep 17, 2014, 10:50 pm
#263
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Plat, NZ Elite, QF Plat
Posts: 1,776
Lounge Access
It can be quite confusing. I've got a AKL-SYD on a VA ticket and metal (I'm currently a KC member). The way I read the terms and conditions is that as a KC member, I can only access the AKL KC if I have a NZ ticket and NZ flight number on VA metal. However, I emailed NZ and they clarified that I can access the AKL KC even with a VA flight number on VA metal. Confusing! I kept the email response in case I need it if lounge access is denied.
Sep 17, 2014, 10:55 pm
#264
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Plat, NZ Elite, QF Plat
Posts: 1,776
Hi Team
Sorry for a question that may be a repeater - I've gone through and searched a bunch of threads and to no avail :-(
I am a newbie Airpoints Gold member, flying VA 01 SYD-LAX today and can't make head or tail of what I get in regards to privileges at SYD or LAX?
Do I get lounge access for myself and my partner? Priority boarding? Do I use VA lounge or KC?
The website for ANZ seemed really vague (or maybe thats just me).
Thanks so much in advance - I know its not really an interesting question...
PM
Sorry for a question that may be a repeater - I've gone through and searched a bunch of threads and to no avail :-(
I am a newbie Airpoints Gold member, flying VA 01 SYD-LAX today and can't make head or tail of what I get in regards to privileges at SYD or LAX?
Do I get lounge access for myself and my partner? Priority boarding? Do I use VA lounge or KC?
The website for ANZ seemed really vague (or maybe thats just me).
Thanks so much in advance - I know its not really an interesting question...
PM
When travelling on a Virgin Australia international flight, excluding flights to or from the Pacific Islands, Gold and Elite Airpoints members are entitled to enter Air New Zealand owned and operated lounges.
So yes you should have access to the NZ lounge in Sydney and Star Alliance Lounge at LAX (as this is run by NZ)
But then I also see this little bugger sitting within the Koru Lounge Information section of the NZ website:
Airpoints Elite, Gold and Koru members do not have access to lounges in conjunction with long haul Virgin Australia flights
I'd recommend trying your luck
Last edited by NZ_Flyer; Sep 17, 2014 at 11:04 pm
Sep 17, 2014, 11:08 pm
#265
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: NZ*G ELT, VA-G
Posts: 3,598
It can be quite confusing. I've got a AKL-SYD on a VA ticket and metal (I'm currently a KC member). The way I read the terms and conditions is that as a KC member, I can only access the AKL KC if I have a NZ ticket and NZ flight number on VA metal. However, I emailed NZ and they clarified that I can access the AKL KC even with a VA flight number on VA metal. Confusing! I kept the email response in case I need it if lounge access is denied.
Sep 18, 2014, 1:36 am
#266
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,120
My understanding is lounge access is only available on Virgin Intl flights to NZ. You won't get lounge access when flying on long haul Virgin flights to the US.
Sep 18, 2014, 2:17 am
#267
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,995
Lounge Information - Koru - Airpoints - Air New Zealand - Australia Site
Virgin Australia trans-Tasman alliance
Airpoints Elite, Gold and Koru members may bring one eligible guest with them to Virgin Australia lounges in Australia.
Airpoints Elite, Gold and Koru members do not have access to lounges when travelling on Virgin Australia flights to and from the Pacific Islands, Denpasar Bali, Port Moresby or Phuket.
Airpoints Elite, Gold and Koru members do not have access to lounges in conjunction with long haul Virgin Australia flights.
Airpoints Elite, Gold and Koru members may bring one eligible guest with them to Virgin Australia lounges in Australia.
Airpoints Elite, Gold and Koru members do not have access to lounges when travelling on Virgin Australia flights to and from the Pacific Islands, Denpasar Bali, Port Moresby or Phuket.
Airpoints Elite, Gold and Koru members do not have access to lounges in conjunction with long haul Virgin Australia flights.
Last edited by serfty; Sep 18, 2014 at 2:25 am
Sep 18, 2014, 2:21 am
#268
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: NZ*G ELT, VA-G
Posts: 3,598
Look at page 15 of this: Trans-Tasman Alliance Booket
The only caveats are in relation to Pacific Island Routes
The only caveats are in relation to Pacific Island Routes
Sep 18, 2014, 2:27 am
#269
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,995
Sep 18, 2014, 2:45 am
#270
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Plat, NZ Elite, QF Plat
Posts: 1,776
The Koru Member must be departing on one of the following flights (if they wish to access an Air New Zealand International Lounge):
1. an Air New Zealand operated aircraft (with an Air New Zealand ticket and flight number); or
2. a Virgin Australia operated aircraft for travel within Australia and between New Zealand and Australia (with an Air New Zealand ticket and flight number); or
3. on a Cathay Pacific operated aircraft if travelling between Hong Kong and Auckland (with an Air New Zealand ticket and flight number).