kyanar

Impossible. NZ doesn't fly to TXL, and they have no partnership with BA. BA also being a member of OneWorld, NZ (a StarAlliance carrier) cannot ticket you through the alliance either.

Tag1987

Thai-Kiwi

Why do you think this is impossible? A travel agent can certainly pull together an itinerary that includes non-alliance or non-cooperation partner airlines. You might not be able to do it online.

OP. Try using Matrix ITA to see if there is a fare per the example below. If you can't find an OTA, then a decent 'bricks and mortar' TA should able to pull it together.

nzkarit

??? BA and NZ do have an interline agreement. Go to the AirNZ site and pick say WLG to MAN and see BA options. Sure not a partnership (so no status or FF earning) but still a single ticket so get those protections.

Though the AIrNZ doesn't show all possible flghts but only ones NZ have entered which logically connect with AirNZ flights and only for the more common destinations.

kyanar

You do run a risk when you buy via an OTA (and to a lesser extent, bricks and mortar TA) that during misconnect or IRROPS, the airlines have no incentive to, or obligation to, accommodate you. This is why, to me, an itinerary doesn't exist unless it can be ticketed directly by an airline or in a pinch, a trustworthy TA with a solid reputation for proactively working to resolve issues.

That's just an interline, same as UA tickets you on QF metal domestically when flying to the US out of an AU port they don't serve. They also cannot be ticketed from any POS other than NZ (airnewzealand.com.au simply says it's impossible to go to MAN, for example). Not only will you earn no status or points, but you'll be treated by BA as if you held no status with them as well which will not go in your favour during IRROPS as you'll be bottom of the barrel for priority. I'd personally treat that as if it wasn't a thing.

Thai-Kiwi

Ah, so you do agree that impossible was a poor word choice and based on your personal preferences.

LA2CDG

I'm not picking on anyone, however it is not impossible as I flew this itinerary last year. My question was regarding a OTA that would ticket it. Additionally, I disagree that buying this itinerary through a OTA or Brick and Mortal TA would afford you less protection. I will keep everyone posted. Just waiting for corp. approval for me to take this business trip.

Thanks for all the responses.

kiwifrequentflyer

Just FYI: my parents recently saved $350 by booking their return LAX economy Air NZ flights with flight center. They were eligible for Air NZ upgrades so I have put in a PE APD upgrade its a good deal right now.

samyoull

No real risk in IRROPS - there's clearly defined conventions as to who's responsible for what in these situations through IATA. Having a great travel agent certainly helps though, I'll give you that.

NZ's site will issue 086 tickets with BA segments no problem at all, a quick search for AKL-EDI has the cheapest option routing AKL-NRT-LHR-EDI with NRT-LHR-EDI on BA metal.

kyanar

Try that same search with an origin of SYD or BNE - suddenly you'll find that NZ thinks it's an invalid routing, and that destination cannot be served. It will, however, offer routings where it can reach them using solely *A metal (e.g. Edmonton CA). Even a multistop search cannot be coaxed into offering it, leading me to believe it's likely not offered to the AU POS for regulatory reasons.

samyoull

Probably terms in their agreement with BA on AU-European routes, BA used to serve SYD themselves.

nzkarit

BA still flys to SYD via SIN

samyoull

So it does. I thought I heard they were canceling that...

LA2CDG

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all the responses and the feedback.
I was finally able to book the flights I needed through the American Express travel website. I booked the LA to London NZ flights with connecting flights to Berlin on BA from Heathrow.
The usual OTAs didn't work, no matter what I tried. The fare I paid was what I had found on Google Flights.

jawnbc

I'd try cheapflights.com and see if multiple sites are offering simlar fares. Then judge them based on whether they confirm what they quote (often they don't).